Senior Manager – Freedom to Read

Role Overview

• 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

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

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision health insurance
• paid time off
• 10 paid holidays
• pre-tax commuter benefits
• 403b retirement plan