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.

APNews.com is seeking a senior director to lead the editorial and audience operation of one of the world’s most trusted digital news destinations. This senior leadership position is the No. 2 editorial role for AP’s digital platforms, reporting to the Vice President of News for Digital Platforms. The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading global teams at the intersection of editorial excellence and digital innovation.

This person will oversee the day-to-day operation of APNews.com and shape the organization’s strategy to expand reach and engagement — expanding audiences, deepening connection and ensuring AP journalism serves valuable audiences across platforms. They will work in close partnership with the leader overseeing the strategy for relationship and loyalty, focusing on donations and conversion. Together, the pair will set APNews.com’s audience strategy: one bringing readers into the funnel and the other strengthening their connection once they arrive.

This is a New York–based position. AP operates on a three-day in-office schedule — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The position will also involve occasional travel to other AP bureaus, conferences and workshops to connect with teams and industry peers.

This role requires a newsroom leader who thrives in a fast-moving, collaborative environment, demonstrates strong people management skills and understands that great journalism and great leadership go hand in hand.

What you’ll do

• Lead the daily operation of APNews.com and our third party digital platforms. Run a fast, efficient newsroom that delivers sharp, agenda-setting journalism around the clock. Set clear priorities, strong workflows and seamless communication across teams and time zones to ensure that AP’s top quality, agenda-setting journalism reaches and engages with our audience.
• Direct five key teams:
  • Audiences & Engagement: Oversee site programming, push alerts and engagement strategies that help AP journalism reach more people and bring them back more often. Encourage new ideas and storytelling formats that expand reach while maintaining AP’s standards.
  • Live Blogs: Set the strategy and tone for real-time coverage of major news events and cultural moments, ensuring clarity, pacing and accuracy.
  • Franchise content: Develop verticals such as 'Be Well' and 'AP Perspectives,’ creating distinctive voices and storytelling spaces that make APNews.com and our distributed digital content dynamic and relevant.
  • Third-Party & Emerging Platforms: Shape AP’s presence across social and video platforms, particularly YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and emerging channels where audiences are growing.
  • Digital Design & Presentation: Direct the team producing infographics, interactives and immersive story treatments that bring AP journalism to life.
• Partner across editorial, product and revenue teams to align storytelling, systems and strategy.
• Use data and audience insights to guide decisions, balancing analytics with editorial judgment.
• Coordinate global coverage to ensure APNews.com and our distributed digital content remains agenda-setting and responsive 24/7.
• Represent APNews internally and externally in strategic conversations about digital storytelling and the evolving news landscape.

What success looks like in 12 months

• Clear, actionable playbooks for live blogs, site curation, franchise storytelling and social strategy, especially for third-party video-led platforms.
• Noticeable growth in audience reach, engagement and repeat visits.
• Strong collaboration and clear ownership across global teams.
• Productive, cross-functional collaboration between editorial, product and revenue teams.
• A healthy, inclusive newsroom culture where staff feel supported and valued.
  
  

What you’ll bring

Required Qualifications

• Proven newsroom management experience, including leadership of global or cross-time-zone teams.
• Demonstrated success overseeing a major digital news operation.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of digital storytelling and live coverage.
• Experience collaborating across departments and aligning priorities in matrixed organizations.
• Excellent communication and people management skills, emphasizing empathy and professional growth.
• Comfort using data and analytics to inform decisions.
• Familiarity with SEO, audience development, AI, video and content management systems.
• Commitment to AP’s values of accuracy, fairness, inclusivity and independence.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as news demands.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight or more years of newsroom leadership with direct management responsibilities.
• Background in audience development across multiple formats.
• Experience coordinating large editorial operations across regions.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and emerging publishing technologies.
  
  

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $150,000 - $180,000, contingent on experience and other job-related factors. Employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan and an employer-sponsored health insurance plan, as outlined in the official plan documents. Additionally, they are eligible for paid time off and holidays per AP policy.

The Associated Press offers comprehensive benefits which include:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Company paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave for any new parent
• Mental health resources

Final note

We know newsroom leaders don’t all follow the same path. If you bring vision, empathy and the ability to connect great journalism with global audiences, we want to hear from you. Use your cover letter to tell us not just what you’ve done, but how you’d help shape APNews.com’s next chapter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply before Dec. 8. The application deadline is Dec. 15 at 11:59 p.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.