Assistant, Communications

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks an ambitious and highly organized communications assistant to support its growing visibility as a global leader in the defense of free expression. This is a full-time, union-eligible position based in our headquarters in New York City and will report to the senior manager, Graphic Design and Communications.

This position offers a significant opportunity for professional growth and development in a trusted and responsible role that touches on all facets of PEN America’s communications activities. This role will assist with content production and publication workflows, conceive of new ways to transform our work into compelling digital content, and provide administrative support, including but not limited to monthly finance reports, scheduling, digital asset management, and meeting coordination. This position will require availability on occasional evenings and weekends to work at PEN America events.

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:

Editorial:

• Brainstorm and write blogs, interviews, and reading list pieces for PEN.org in collaboration with the Editorial Director and in conjunction with larger organizational campaigns and initiatives
• Fact-check, copyedit, and research articles for PEN.org
• Assist in drafting copy for PEN America newsletters
• Assist with project management of editorial projects to ensure that tasks are assigned and deadlines are met, including helping to maintain the PEN.org editorial calendar

Content Production:

• Draft, proofread, refine, and curate content across PEN America’s social channels
• Monitor, save, organize, and share photos and clips from events and news clips in PEN America’s digital asset management system
• Occasionally draft graphics and assist with video production for organizational social and/or marketing campaigns

Administrative:

• Quickly and efficiently handle day-to-day expenses for the department, ensuring vendors and partners are paid on time
• Assist and learn to administer team project-based systems, including but not limited to Asana project management, Pics.io digital asset management, Sprout Social social media management, Nexonia expense management, and other tools as necessary
• 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, strategy projects, training, or other initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of work experience in journalism, marketing, video production, or social media production
• Excellent writing abilities and an obsessive knack for grammar
• Ambitious problem diagnosis and creative problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with WordPress, Google Suite, social media publishing is a plus
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment, learn rapidly, and master diverse technologies and techniques
• Professional demeanor and ability to work independently
• Excellent organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple tasks
• Passion for literature, journalism, and/or international human rights
• Availability on occasional evenings and weekends to work at PEN America events
• 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

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $55k-65k, 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 in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

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.