Program Coordinator, Campus Free Speech

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a proactive, energetic, and organized program coordinator to support educational programs about free speech and academic freedom for our Campus Free Speech program. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based in New York City or Washington D.C. and reports to the program director, Campus Free Speech. This position has an initial 12-month term, subject to extension contingent on funding.

The Campus Free Speech team advocates and educates campuses to uphold robust protections for free speech and academic freedom along with commitments to an inclusive campus. The team does this work through numerous work streams, including: workshops and educational programming, resource development, advocacy, and partnerships with higher education institutions and national organizations.

The program coordinator will primarily support our educational workshops, public programming, and resource development across the Campus Free Speech team, with additional support for communications related work as needed. The program coordinator will be responsible for handling a portfolio of workshops for campuses, which can include both virtual and in-person modes of delivery.

In addition to this portfolio, the program coordinator will also provide communications support for the team on an as-needed basis by drafting program-related content, particularly in response to breaking news and representing the team in communications meetings.

The successful candidate will have interest in and understanding of free expression issues in the higher education sector, along with at least two years of experience in project management/coordination, event planning, advocacy, or other relevant professional and/or teaching experience. The position will involve interactions with campus administrators and higher education leaders, and requires advanced skills in prompt, careful, polished, and courteous communication. The program coordinator will have an opportunity to make a critical difference on a growing team that has become a national nexus of free expression and higher education. The team regularly wrestles with complicated, and often fraught circumstances involving the interplay between protecting free speech amid campuses’ drive to be more inclusive of diverse identities and viewpoints. The ideal candidate should understand that working in the field of free speech often means upholding the right to expression that one may find personally offensive, but that it is in service of upholding the right to free speech for all.

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:

• Monitor and respond to incoming requests from campuses for educational programming
• Represent PEN America in meetings with campus representatives
• Prepare slide decks and other educational materials in an on-line portal and/or learning management system
• Assist program manager with on-line teaching, with the potential to assist during in-person engagements
• Coordinate with PEN America consultants to prepare them to deliver the appropriate workshop and manage travel arrangements, as necessary
• Provide administrative support for the Campus Free Speech team, including calendar management, arranging Zoom meetings, and organizing and maintaining our systems for tracking campus engagements and contacts
• Facilitate contracts between campuses and PEN America
• Draft program-related content including communications briefs, social media messaging, media alerts, and event reports
• Handle internal communications about the team’s programs, including updating materials for PEN America newsletters
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two years of relevant nonprofit, teaching, and/or event coordination experience
• Working knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suites, Zoom management, Slack and Asana
• Understanding of and interest in contemporary debates on free expression, particularly on college campuses; commitment to the defense of academic freedom and free speech on campuses
• Energetic, prompt, and skilled at multitasking in a fast-paced environment; strong administrative and project management skills, including attention to detail
• Polished, meticulous, and impeccably courteous written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to quickly create engaging content targeted toward specific audiences
• Comfort and effectiveness with organizing convenings and events; professional experience in this area a plus
• Superb organizational and process management capacity, and attention to detail, demonstrated ability to identify and innovatively meet the logistical needs of multiple, simultaneous projects
• 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.

No phone calls, please.

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.