Program Manager, U.S. Author Safety

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a dynamic and results-oriented program manager of U.S. author safety to build out programming to support writers, their allies, and the wider literary community amidst escalating attacks on the freedom to write, read, and learn in the U.S. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the senior manager of safety training and education in the Free Expression Programs department.

The program manager will drive forward our work to support writers, their allies, and the wider literary community in the face of online abuse, threats, and other safety challenges in the U.S. by: growing and managing our author safety training program, including leading workshops and giving presentations; expanding our engagement with impacted audiences in the literary community; strengthening existing partnerships and forging new ones; following current developments in safety, book bans, freedom of expression, and digital rights; and coordinating with colleagues across the organization who serve authors and the wider literary community. 

The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to both safety and free expression and attuned to the challenges to bolstering safety in an era of rapidly evolving technology and growing hostility to free speech. The position requires an energized, highly organized, and collaborative work style; the ability to navigate complex and potentially fraught questions about intersectional identity and equity in online spaces; and the drive to build PEN America’s expertise and impact in this field. It offers substantial potential for professional advancement as PEN America’s programming in this area expands.

All positions are subject to a five-month trial period and assessment. In alignment with PEN America’s current policy, all applicants should be available to report to the office at least three days per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build, manage, administer, and grow safety training for authors, their allies, and the wider literary community, including: assessing evolving needs, strengthening curricula and presentations, scaling program to meet demand, cultivating partnerships, scheduling, reviewing contracts, processing invoices, collecting and responding to program feedback, and tracking impact

• Build sustained partnerships within the literary community—including professional associations, publishers, libraries, book stores, and universities—to strengthen support for writers and their allies facing safety challenges for their work

• Conduct training for authors and their allies within the literary community

• Attend and speak at conferences and other public events

• Jointly oversee the development and maintenance of safety resources for writers and their allies—including authors, journalists, scholars, and librarians—which will involve drafting, creating, and updating multimedia content in collaboration with colleagues across the organization

• Collaborate with the senior manager of safety and protection to facilitate the provision of individualized, trauma-informed safety support to writers and their allies under attack for their work

• Coordinate across PEN America teams—including Freedom to Read, Membership, and Literary Programs—to support authors and the wider literary community

• Build and strengthen partnerships with author-safety-related coalitions and networks

• Research funding opportunities and draft proposals to sustain and build the program

• Follow current developments in author safety, online abuse, freedom of expression, and digital rights and conduct relevant research and analysis, as needed

• Support the safety team in their work in the journalism and higher education sectors, as needed

• Provide support on intern recruitment and management, recordkeeping, financial reconciliation, expense reporting, and other team-wide administrative tasks as appropriate

• Passionately support and advance PEN America’s mission to safeguard free expression in the United States and abroad

All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training or other initiatives.

• A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience in publishing, literary or arts nonprofits, communications, education, digital safety and/or physical safety

• At least one year of experience working on issues of digital and/or physical safety, online harassment, gender-based violence, and/or trauma-informed care

• Experience and facility with public speaking and teaching is required and experience organizing public programs/events is preferred

• Demonstrated ability to network and build strong relationships with partners

• Strong organizational skills and track record for independent problem-solving

• A diplomatic disposition and great facility with interpersonal communication

• Personal qualities of integrity, empathy, patience, respect for others, and a willingness to learn

• Knowledge of free expression issues, including book bans and online abuse

• General knowledge of grant writing and reporting

• Ability to travel an estimated 30% of the time, with availability to work some nights and weekends as necessary in relation to travel

• Must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization

• Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies. PEN America promotes open and respectful dialogue across difference, and we work to allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish.

• Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country's government

PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $75k-85k, commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan.

Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample) via BambooHR. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to having a workforce that reflects the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.

No phone calls, please.