Global Safety: Risk & Resilience Director, Americas (Director)

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, unbiasednews 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 a seasoned and experienced journalism safety leader for the role of Director of Americas Safety, Risk and Resilience based in New York or Washington, D.C. with a specific focus on North, Central and South America. We're looking for a nimble and creative thinker to support the continuous development of an industry-leading safety and security framework, with enthusiasm and drive to make AP a leader in journalist safety. The overall aim is to keep AP journalists physically, digitally and psychologically safe in the face of war, civil unrest, online attacks, identity-based violence and other evolving threats within the modern media landscape. The successful candidate should be passionate about helping colleagues break major news by mitigating the risks they encounter while being dispatched to the world's biggest stories. This position can be located in either New York or Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities: In this role, you will be a key member of the Global Safety: Risk and Resilience (GSRR) leadership team. You will drive, manage and champion AP's evolving internal programs to protect employees and contributors from online harassment, ensuring scalability. We are looking for a partner who is creative, empathetic, inclusive and passionate, with a willingness to innovate and drive our programs forward.

Reporting to the Vice President of Global Safety: Risk and Resilience, you'll assist with the implementation of a wide range of other safety-focused programs for physical and digital security, psychological safety, threat analysis, incident response planning and crisis management. You will manage vendors who safeguard our personnel, facilities, systems and equipment across the United States and globally, and support the wider GSRR team as required. You must possess the highest ethical and editorial standards, upholding the AP's commitment to preserving the integrity and impartiality of our news reporting.

We're looking for someone who will:

• Partner with regional newsroom leaders across the United States and Latin America to engage in story and staffing discussions, ensuring safety and security (digital, physical, and psychological) is part of the conversation at every step, from planning to publication. There will be a requirement to support elsewhere globally, as needed.
• Align with the wider GSRR strategy to ensure a consistent, commensurate and engaging approach to risk management, with a specific focus on supporting crisis management globally, as required.
• Join and participate in regional and relevant newsgathering meetings and signpost potential safety concerns or risks to be aware of during daily reporting planning.
• Proactively engage with the implementation of security and risk assessments, effectively and persuasively communicating security-related concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical staff at all levels.
• Be a compassionate, and knowledgeable partner to our journalists and managers, seeking out resources, tools and lead the psychological safety and resilience; we aim to make the AP an industry leader and standard setter on psychological safety and safe newsgathering practices.
• Develop ongoing and innovative strategies to ensure we remain current with our Online Abuse program, SAFE, to prevent, mitigate or control the impact on our people.
• Support education and training on digital, physical and psychological safety, and support employees dealing with physical and verbal harassment, threat or harm.
• Assess, evaluate and synthesize a large volume of information and intelligence - often from afar - and swiftly provide strategic direction on mitigating threats, directed at AP.
• Be an ally and collaborate closely with the Cyber Security team to assist with the implementation of commensurate policies and protocols that ensure the safety of AP journalists and their sources, both online and offline.
• Partner with colleagues in the Human Resources and Legal departments to address sensitive security issues, including investigating security breaches and assisting with disciplinary and legal matters as necessary.
• Build and maintain external relationships to enhance the AP's safety posture, including with key law enforcement, military, intelligence and security officials and agencies, as well as press Freedom groups, other newsrooms, and other relevant industry leaders and experts across specific regions, as required.
• Be willing and able to travel extensively, often at short notice, to help AP journalists and newsgathering teams navigate complex and dangerous situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 6 years of experience working within news organizations, preferably in a similar risk reduction role.
• A background in or familiarity with the evolving challenges posed by online abuse against journalists.
• A solid understanding of the concepts of psychological safety and resilience, and trauma or stress-related concerns in the context of a newsroom.
• Transferable experience from working within supplementary roles in security, safety, military, law enforcement or intelligence will be considered; however, a thorough understanding of media safety is required.
• A proven history of crisis management, and demonstratable experience in guiding and supporting staff, across multiple regions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication across cultures and quick responsiveness across time zones.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms and online protection tools.
• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred, and professional competency in another language is a plus.
• A commitment to actively supporting a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. will be mandatory.

We'll consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. You may use a cover letter to describe the unique qualifications you would bring to this role.

Salary & Benefits:The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 - contingent on experience and other job-related factors. Employees are eligible to participate, according to the terms of the official plan documents, in a 401(k) plan, employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and are eligible for paid time off and holidays in accordance with 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

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Application deadline is March 10, 2025, 11:59pm EST.

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. We encourage members of historically underrepresented communities, including women and BIPOC, to apply.