Incorporated by Congress in 1889, the American Historical Association (AHA) is the largest membership association of professional historians in the world with over 11,000 members. Its mission to enhance the work of historians also encompasses professional standards and ethics, innovative scholarship and teaching, academic freedom, and international collaboration. The AHA serves historians in a wide variety of professions, including university and secondary school teachers, historical writers, editors, and professionals working in specialized historical societies, libraries, museums, archives, the military, NGOs, and government. It represents every historical era and geographical area. By providing leadership for the discipline, the AHA promotes the critical role of historical thinking in education and public life.
The AHA defends academic freedom, develops professional standards, supports innovative scholarship and teaching, and helps to sustain and enhance the work of historians at all levels. The Association provides a comprehensive suite of educational and professional programming, advocacy efforts, scholarly publications, and fellowships and grants. The AHA is currently the most visible and active organization promoting the discipline of history and the work of historians, not only in the United States, but also with increasing frequency abroad.
TITLE: Executive Director
POSITION OVERVIEW: The executive director is the chief officer of the AHA, responsible for all aspects of the Association’s operations and all external relationships. The executive director provides leadership and vision for the Association and gives strategic advice to and implements the goals of the governing officials and committees.
The executive director reports to a 16-member governing Council, chaired by the elected AHA president. All staff (currently 24 full-time, 2 part-time), other than the editor(s) of the American Historical Review (AHR), report to the executive director, who is also the sole media and public representative of the Association.
Please see the job posting on the AHA Career Center for full job description and candidate criteria.
SALARY/BENEFITS: Salary range $190,000–$230,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits package includes competitive medical and life insurance and a qualified retirement plan.
TERM: The appointment is for one five-year term and is renewable at the discretion of the AHA Council.
HOURS: Full-time, Monday through Friday.
LOCATION: AHA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Current AHA policy is a minimum of two days per week in office. This policy is regularly reviewed and updated, as necessary.
TRAVEL: Occasional travel, nights, and weekends are required, including once per year to the AHA annual meeting the first week of January.
FLSA STATUS: Exempt.
TIMELINE: Position posted on March 12, 2024. Deadline for receiving applications is July 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified in August 2024 regarding first-round interviews. Finalists will be expected to travel to Washington, DC, in early December and to the AHA annual meeting in New York City in January for in-person interviews. Position will begin July 1, 2025.
TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter and resume or curriculum vita through your MY AHA account. Log into your MY AHA account at historians.org/myaha; click “Available Application Forms” in the AHA Awards, Grants, and Jobs section; and select the “Executive Director” link. If you don’t have an account, create one for free at historians.org/createaccount.
For more information about the AHA, visit historians.org. Questions regarding the AHA or the search should be sent to Dana Schaffer, deputy director, at [email protected].
*This job description is not intended to describe every job duty or responsibility that the AHA requires of the person in this position.
*The AHA is an equal opportunity employer.
Application deadline: July 1, 2024
Date posted: March 17, 2024