American Journal of Archaeology Editor in Chief

Job Description

General Description

The Editor in Chief (EIC) serves at the pleasure of the Governing Board of the Archaeological Institute of America and attends meetings of the Governing Board in an ex-officio and non-voting capacity. The EIC is an independent contractor, not an employee, of the Institute and is appointed for a term of three years, renewable.

The EIC executes the mandate of the AIA with respect to the American Journal of Archaeology and frames the editorial direction of the Journal in consultation with the AJA Advisory Board. The AIA's Executive Director and the AJA Director of Publishing consult with the EIC on operational matters. The EIC submits a written Fiscal Year Report to the Governing Board in advance of its fall meeting. Upon request of the President the EIC may be asked to report at other meetings of the Governing Board or Executive Committee.

Editorial Duties

In editorial matters the EIC is autonomous and is responsible for encouraging and soliciting the submission of manuscripts, consonant with his/her editorial vision. As the primary editor, he/she reads initial submissions, assigns reviewers, and makes the final determination to accept or reject submissions. The EIC reviews revised versions of manuscripts accepted for publication and works with the Director of Publishing and author(s) in editing accepted manuscripts for publication. The EIC also makes the final decision on the table of contents for each issue.

The EIC appoints review editors, whose terms are co-terminus with his/hers, and consults with them on issues pertaining to the publication of book and museum reviews and review articles.

The EIC appoints the AJA Editorial Advisory Board members, whose terms are co-terminus with hers/his, and consults with its members on a regular basis. The EIC provides a written report to the Editorial Advisory Board on the status of the Journal before their meeting at the AIA's Annual Meeting.

Operational Duties

The EIC works closely with the AJA Director of Publishing to ensure the timely, high-quality production of the Journal and consults with the AIA Executive Director and the AJA Director of Publishing on subscription campaigns.

The EIC engages actively with the AIA’s Director of Development and Executive Director in all aspects of raising funds in support of the Journal, including the Society for the AJA, article subventions and other project opportunities.

Compensation, Review and Renewal

Compensation is normally in the form of release time from the EIC’s home institution; appropriate adjustments will be made in the case of independent scholars.

The Vice President of Publications and the President, with input from the Executive Director, will conduct a review of the EIC annually and at the end of each three-year term. Based on this review the President will make a recommendation to the Governing Board at the following May meeting regarding reappointment to an additional three-year term.

The AJA seeks a new Editor in Chief to begin July 1, 2013. For more information, see the position announcement.