Program Manager, Freedom to Learn

Pen American Center•Washington, DC

1d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a dynamic program manager to advance our efforts to push back against legislative censorship of higher education through coalition building, legislative analysis, and commentary in defense of academic freedom. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based in Washington, D.C. or New York City, reporting to the program director, Freedom to Learn. PEN America’s U.S. Free Expression Programs work to safeguard freedom of expression, particularly the unhampered transmission of literature, art, and ideas. We defend and expand the freedom to write, read, and learn, concentrating on key sectors (arts and culture, libraries, K-12 and higher education, journalism), aiding professionals that work in them, and offering support to writers of various kinds. Overall we aim to counter official censorship; foster a robust culture for free, open, and respectful exchange; build capacity among professionals and institutions to support free expression and inclusion; and unite writers and their allies in defense of pluralistic democracy. Within this framework, PEN America’s Freedom to Learn program, and broader Higher Education team, aim to ensure robust protections for free speech and academic freedom are upheld in colleges and universities. Programmatic work includes coalition building on the state and national levels, research, advocacy, media engagement, public events, and virtual and in-person convenings. The program manager will be an integral member of the Freedom to Learn team, responsible for managing and strengthening our diverse coalitions, and responding to state-level academic censorship, for example, by supporting on-the-ground partners, issuing media commentary, delivering presentations, and organizing events. The program manager will make a critical and creative difference in PEN America’s advocacy for the future of free expression and academic freedom in higher education - an urgent issue with implications for American democracy. The manager will develop expertise in higher education policy, as well as U.S. free expression issues broadly, and contribute to PEN America’s resources and research reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with three to five years years of relevant professional experience in higher education and/or nonprofit, including familiarity with community engagement, advocacy, and/or organizing
Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills; experience with public and/or media communications a plus
Understanding of contemporary debates surrounding free expression and academic freedom with a commitment to advance these issues through writing, public speaking, and engagement with diverse audiences
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
Ability to travel an estimated 25% of the time, depending on program needs, 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 differences, 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

Nice To Haves

experience with public and/or media communications a plus

Responsibilities

Manage advocacy initiatives pertaining to the freedom to learn and academic freedom in higher education at the local, state, and national levels
Manage and promote our national and state-based coalitions
Develop strong professional relationships with leaders in higher education and the nonprofit sector
Provide support for the advocacy of our state-based partners
Plan and facilitate monthly meetings
Ensure regular and responsive communications with coalition members and partners
Coordinate action alerts and other campaigns to raise awareness of threats to academic freedom and free expression on college and university campuses
Serve as a thought partner to the program director and collaborate with the Higher Education team and other colleagues to advance PEN America’s mission to safeguard free expression in the United States and abroad
Draft, edit, and author reports, press releases and statements, action alerts, blogs, talking points, and other forms of internal and external communications
Represent the organization and support outreach efforts through virtual and in-person presentations on higher education censorship to varied audiences, including colleges and universities, civil society and academic organizations. Prepare presentation materials such as slide decks and one-pagers, and ensure effective follow-up communications and engagement, including circulating meeting notes to coalitions, as appropriate
Contribute to the drafting of grant funding proposals and reports, and ensure grant deliverables are met and documented
Provide support for intern recruitment, training, and management for the Higher Education team, as needed
Perform other duties as assigned
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.