Executive Director

Executive Director

Council of American Ambassadors

Washington, D.C.

The Council of American Ambassadors is the association of non-career U.S. Ambassadors. Established in 1983 and located in Washington, D.C., the Council organizes foreign affairs-related events – conferences, roundtable discussions, and periodic overseas missions -- for its members. It carries out two endowed fellowship programs and sustains one endowed prize for the most outstanding non-career Ambassador, aiming to support the U.S. Department of State in its diplomatic functions. Its websites – AmericanAmbassadors,org and AmericanAmbassadorsLIVE.org – keep members in touch with each other and with the Council’s Fellowships’ alumni. They also publish members’ views and insights -- via podcasts, commentary and an on-line journal -- for public edification.

Responsible to the Council’s Officers and Board of Directors, the Executive Director:

• organizes and carries out the Council’s annual program of activities;
• supports the Board of Directors, preparing its semi-annual meetings and implementing its decisions;
• supports the Investment Committee in stewarding the Council’s financial assets and endowments;
• administers membership records -- recruitment, status, renewals -- and dues and annual fund-raising appeal receipts;
• prepares and administers an annual budget and ensures that financial records, tax compliance and audit results are maintained in good order;
• supervises one staff member – the Director of Communications;
• Assisted by the Director of Communications, plans, organizes and executes:
  • two semi-annual conferences;
  • four to six Ambassadors’ Roundtable luncheons featuring leading foreign Ambassadors accredited to Washington;
  • periodic overseas missions, when scheduled;
  • the annual activities for the Council’s two Fellowship programs;
  • the selection and award process for the Ambassador Sue Cobb Award for the outstanding non-career Ambassador.

The position requires a self-starter with ample initiative; broad familiarity with foreign affairs and U.S. national security institutions; strong organizing and detail-conscious implementation skills; facility with small-organization budgeting and financial record-keeping/compliance; sound judgement; impeccable ‘people skills.’ Compensation commensurate with experience.

Submit cover letter and resume to search@americanambassadors.org by 4/15/25

In email subject line state “Application: Executive Director” before uploading cover letter and resume.