Job Title: Assistant Director (FTE)
Organisation: The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR)
Location: Salah ad-Din St 26, East Jerusalem
Deadline: January 19, 2025
About the AIAR:
The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR) is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research into all aspects of cultural development in the southern Levant, from prehistory to the Early Modern period. The AIAR promotes these multidisciplinary goals by facilitating archaeological excavation and historical research, offering doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships, and engaging students and the public through our lecture and research programs. The AIAR is committed to fostering diversity within its scholarly community and outreach efforts.
Job Description:
The AIAR seeks an experienced administrator with an international reputation in Levantine research to serve as Assistant Director. Under the supervision of the Director, the Assistant Director will oversee the Institute’s research activities, particularly its fellowships program. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience and the ability to work in a culturally diverse environment that hosts scholars from many religious, ethnic, and national backgrounds.
Key responsibilities include:
Fellows and academic programming
• Serve as the primary point of contact for AIAR fellows and residents.
• Coordinate program activities and special events at the Institute.
• Develop and manage a robust field-trip program as part of the fellowship experience.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and international academic communities and partner institutions.
Administration of daily AIAR operations
• Assist the Director with day-to-day operations at the Institute.
• Manage the AIAR’s storage facilities used by international projects.
• Prepare reports for the Director and other senior executives.
• Oversee IT systems, software applications, and other technological resources.
• Provide staffing support as needed.
• Serve as Acting Director during the Director’s absent.
Grant management
• Support the Director in all aspects of grant management, including writing, compliance, and reporting.
• Coordinate grant writing and development efforts with relevant staff, officers, and trustees.
Qualifications:
A successful candidate will have experience in the non-profit sector or within educational institutions, excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and proficiency in Hebrew and/or Arabic. Candidates eligible to work in Israel without requiring a visa are especially encouraged to apply.
Essential criteria:
• An MA or PhD in a relevant humanities or social sciences field related to Levantine studies.
• Proven experience in team or organizational management.
• Fluency in written and spoken Hebrew and/or Arabic.
Desirable criteria:
• Familiarity with US funding landscapes.
• Successful and sustained collaborations with international scholars.
• Experience working with local archaeological, historical, and collections-based institutions in the region.
• Strong communication skills to motivate and manage teams effectively.
• Experience in events management.
Salary and conditions:
This is a full-time (100%) position for five days a week from 9:00am to 5.00 pm. The Assistant Director must be flexible and available to work evenings and weekends as necessary to manage lectures, events, and field-trips. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications, in compliance with local labor laws. The position is subject to a six-month trial period.
How to apply:
Applicants should email the following documents as a single pdf to AIAR Director James Fraser at jamesfraser@aiar.org by January 19, 2025:
1) A cover letter.
2) A personal statement addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria.
3) A full CV.
4) Contact information for three referees.
For more information on the AIAR and its programs, please visit our website. For more information about the position, please email the Director.
Hiring is subject to the AIAR’s hiring procedures. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed, and the successful candidate will enter into an employment agreement with the AIAR. The AIAR applies diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in recruitment to ensure accessibility for all. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, knowing this strengthens our mission. Candidates are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. By valuing individual differences and removing barriers, we aim to create an equitable process and a dynamic team advancing archaeological research excellence.
