Coordinator, Membership and National Engagement

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks an innovative and energetic coordinator to join the Membership and National Engagement team. This hands-on role will help expand and mobilize PEN America’s membership in support of the organization’s work to address threats to free expression, engage with literature, and promote discourse. The coordinator will support the development and implementation of strategies for the recruitment, retention, and engagement of members across the organization’s activities. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based in New York and reports to the program director, Membership and National Engagement.

The Membership and National Engagement coordinator will support the full cycle of Professional Member participation in PEN America. The position requires a candidate who is adept at and comfortable with database maintenance, literary programming, and audience engagement. The coordinator will facilitate the database and administrative operations of the team and work closely with membership committees, PEN Across America, and other departments to develop and implement a range of membership strategies.

As a member of the Membership and National Engagement team, the coordinator will collaborate with and support our PEN Across America program that mobilizes PEN America members and allies in communities outside of major metropolitan coastal cities. Through this program, we educate and activate local audiences on issues including local promotion of press freedom, the intersection of literature and activism, the amplification of marginalized voices, and the defense of free expression.

The ideal candidate will have a creative and tenacious approach to problem-solving, strong organizational skills, an affinity for work across varied communities, and a collaborative, high-energy spirit. The candidate should have at least one year of experience with CRM database maintenance or equivalent and will be proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in literature and/or human rights and a keen awareness of social justice issues.

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. This policy is subject to change.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a healthy database of PEN America members through data entry and maintenance, processing membership dues, and routine data clean-up
• Implement the complete, accurate, and timely transfer of data from EveryAction to Raiser’s Edge, and of membership information into our payment processing software
• Track and report on membership trends (statistics, demographics, and dues) for board meetings and departmental strategy
• Monitor the Membership and National Engagement team’s phone and email communications, responding to member queries and comments in a timely manner
• Facilitate opportunities for members to become more deeply engaged with PEN America’s work, including managing the Member Spotlight, End-of-Year Member slideshow, and other engagement initiatives
• Provide general administrative support to the Membership and National Engagement team, including check requests, receipt processing, and monthly reconciliation of membership data
• Draft program-related content including communications briefs, correspondence, social media messaging, media alerts, and event reports
• Participate in PEN America public programming, including assisting coordination of speakers, venues, and community partners
• Support member-led committees, attending meetings and liaising between committees and staff
• Support the planning of the department’s tentpole events, including the Annual General Meeting and the New Year New Books Party, and PEN Across America chapter events
• Represent PEN America at book fairs, conferences, festivals, and other industry events that offer additional engagement opportunities, as needed

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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of experience with a CRM or membership database
• Working knowledge of EveryAction, Stripe, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suites, Zoom management, and Eventbrite preferred
• At least two years of relevant nonprofit, membership, volunteer management, and/or event coordination experience
• Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness through proactive approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to quickly create engaging content targeted toward specific audiences
• Collaborative, highly personable energy, with an enthusiasm for and expertise in building new relationships, partnerships, and community
• Superb organizational and process management capacity, and attention to detail, demonstrated ability to identify and innovatively meet the logistical needs of multiple, simultaneous projects
• Ability to develop and present new ideas and approaches
• Success in working creatively and collaboratively on a tight-knit team, as well as to function independently as part of a professional, fast-paced team
• 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

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $65k-75k, 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.

TO APPLY:

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.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.