Fully Remote Position
The Society for American Archaeology (SAA), the leading international professional association dedicated to the research, interpretation, and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas, seeks a visionary and collaborative Executive Director.
Founded in 1934, SAA has served for more than 90 years as the premier voice for archaeology, advancing scholarship, shaping professional standards, advocating for cultural resource protection, and fostering collaboration across the profession. Through respected publications, professional development programs, advocacy initiatives, and the largest annual gathering of archaeologists in the Americas, SAA supports a global community of practitioners, researchers, educators, students, and heritage professionals.
The organization enters this leadership transition with a respected reputation, engaged membership (including volunteer Board, committees, task forces, and interest groups), dedicated staff, successful programs, and a stable financial foundation. At the same time, the profession faces changing membership demographics, evolving funding environments, increasing expectations for inclusion and belonging, accelerating impacts to cultural heritage from climate change, and opportunities to modernize operations and member engagement.
The next Executive Director will lead SAA through this important period by providing strategic leadership, organizational alignment, and operational excellence. Key priorities include:
- Advancing inclusion, belonging, and ethical practice throughout the organization.
- Strengthening long-term financial sustainability and revenue diversification.
- Increasing membership and expanding and deepening member engagement.
- Elevating archaeology's public profile and advocacy impact.
- Modernizing communications, governance, and operational systems.
SAA seeks a mission-driven executive with significant senior leadership experience, ideally within a professional association, scholarly society, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex membership-based environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to lead through change, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, steward financial resources, and serve as a trusted ambassador for the profession.
The salary range for this position is $200,000–$220,000 plus a benefits package.
Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a thoughtfully prepared cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant leadership experience.
Applications received by August 28, 2026, will receive full consideration; however, the search will remain open until the position is filled.
For additional information about the Society for American Archaeology, visit https://www.saa.org/
Society for American Archaeology - Executive Director Position Guide
Skills Required
- Significant senior leadership experience
- Experience in or with professional associations, scholarly societies, nonprofits, or membership-based organizations
- Proven ability to lead organizational change and build consensus among diverse stakeholders
- Experience stewarding financial resources, budgeting, and revenue diversification
- Experience growing membership and deepening member engagement
- Experience with public advocacy, external relations, and elevating organizational profile
- Experience modernizing communications, governance, and operational systems
- Mission-driven orientation and commitment to inclusion, belonging, and ethical practice
What We Do
Kittleman & Associates is an executive search firm dedicated exclusively to nonprofit leadership. It helps nonprofit organizations identify and recruit CEOs and executive directors, combining customized search processes, analytics, sector expertise, and hands-on guidance from consultants with nonprofit leadership or board experience. The firm also advises clients on leadership transitions and succession, supporting organizations across a broad range of nonprofit sectors.
