Senior Manager, Freedom to Read

Pen American Center•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a motivated, highly organized, and professional senior program manager to support the Freedom to Read Program in defense of the freedom to read, learn, and teach. This is a full-time position based in PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the director, Freedom to Read. The Freedom to Read senior program manager will contribute to the growth of PEN America’s work on free expression, with a focus on defending the freedom to read in K-12 schools and public libraries, and generally helping to combat censorship and book banning. Working collaboratively with the Freedom to Read program team, the senior manager will lead data collection and the portfolio of research on book bans and educational censorship at public schools and public libraries. The senior manager will also help design and carry out advocacy and educational programming, such as events around Banned Book Week, and support coalition-building efforts with potential partners. Working collaboratively with the Freedom to Read Director and the Development team, the senior manager will also support ongoing fundraising efforts. The senior program manager will have at least one direct report and support the work of the broader U.S. Free Expression team, working closely with PEN America’s Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Florida offices, as well as our Communications, Development, Literary Programs, and Membership teams. Responsibilities will include leading PEN America’s data collection and research on censorship and book banning in K-12 spaces and public libraries; taking a leading role writing freedom to read reports and publications, including PEN America’s Banned in the USA Report; leading and participating in convenings, information sessions, and panel events related to the freedom to read; communicating to a variety of audiences on book bans and censorship; and networking and coordinating with educational organizations and advocacy groups at the local, state, and national levels. The successful candidate will possess strong knowledge of censorship efforts in public libraries and public schools, and a demonstrated ability to effectively strategize and multitask in a fast-paced environment. They will have experience maintaining and managing large and complex multi-year databases and executing applied and actional reports and publications. The senior manager will have an opportunity to make an essential contribution to defending the freedom to read as part of a growing team playing a leading role in advocacy for educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities and libraries. All positions are subject to a six-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. This policy is subject to change. 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.

Requirements

Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including experience with issues of censorship, education policy, and working on or with public libraries or public schools
Understanding of and interest in contemporary debates over free expression and the freedom to read, particularly in public K-12 schools and libraries
Strong data management and analysis skills, including both quantitative and qualitative research and the ability to interpret and present data to different audiences
Polished, meticulous, and impeccably courteous written and verbal communication skills with ability to engage an ideologically varied set of stakeholders
Strong project and time management skills, including meeting deadlines and multitasking
Comfort and effectiveness with building relationships and coalitions and representing PEN America and its mission
Ability to travel an estimated 20% 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 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

Familiarity with Asana, Slack, AirTable, Google Suite and other project management software is a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee the Freedom to Read program’s research portfolio, including data collection on books banned in public schools, the Banned in the USA reports, and ongoing research and analysis in understanding trends on censorship and book banning in K-12 spaces and public libraries
Lead and coordinate the drafting, writing, and editing of reports, blogs, resources, and other forms of written reports and communications
Manage coordination with PEN America’s Communications team to publish and disseminate reports and research products in a timely manner
Collaborate with teams across PEN America on a consistent basis regarding messaging and reporting, identifying opportunities, shared learning, ensuring alignment on positions and priorities, and representing the Freedom to Read team when necessary in key cross-organizational meetings
Effectively communicate to a variety of audiences on book bans and educational censorship
Develop and provide original commentary to media, as a spokesperson for the team and for PEN America more broadly
Identify cases for targeted action and identify strategic response, such as statements, press releases, social media threads, and open letters
Maintain relationships with key partners engaged in fighting book bans, partnering with organizations to advance the Freedom to Read program’s goals
Support administrative needs for the Freedom to Read team (i.e. contracts, budgets, expenses, and grant proposals)
Serve as a thought leader on the Freedom to Read team, developing and revising research and advocacy strategies, approaches, and goals
Supervise at least one full-time staff member, as well as fellows and interns, with additional team members anticipated as the program expands
Support and advance PEN America’s mission to safeguard free expression in the United States and abroad

Benefits

PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits.
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.

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