Job Description

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The Associated Press seeks an experienced journalist and newsroom leader to direct its coverage of Latin America as a news director, based in Mexico City.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the vice president and head of global newsgathering, the news director will manage a digital-first news team and ensure that the AP delivers fast and comprehensive coverage in all formats for audiences and customers. The news director also will oversee the AP’s Spanish Service. The successful candidate must have the ability and willingness to work at night and on weekends, or as coverage demands, as AP is a 24/7 operation.

The successful candidate will:

• have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively and successfully as the leader of a diverse team of journalists who operate in all formats: text, photo, video, audio, digital/social, interactive and graphics.
• have a great news sense, with the ability to communicate stories that people will want to share, like and talk about on social media and other digital platforms.
• be able to think strategically about our news gathering operations to ensure AP is positioned to win on the biggest stories for audiences and customers of the future across news, technology and beyond.
• place a special focus on working closely with visual journalists to ensure the company’s coverage of these formats serves the needs of AP’s global customers.
• pursue innovative coverage techniques while maintaining AP’s standards for integrity and objectivity.

Qualifications: The Latin America news director must have demonstrated excellence as a newsroom leader, with experience guiding reporters, editors and producers to deliver stories about complex issues in a clear and engaging way. Applicants must be able to lead, guide, motivate and innovate inside a multi-format newsroom, and be able to coordinate and communicate with AP staffers throughout the company and AP customers worldwide. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively with colleagues and peers in teams and should have at least five years of full-time experience leading a beat team, department or newsroom at a daily newspaper, broadcast station, online or digital news outlet, or an AP bureau, subregion or regional desk.

Other qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Authorization to work in Mexico will be mandatory.
• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects across formats.
• History of leadership of journalists working in more than one format is a decided plus.

Application deadline is March 24, 2026, at 11:59p.m. ET.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law.