(From APWRITERS)
PEN American Center, an association of writers and others in the literary community dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and the advancement of literature through an international literary fellowship, seeks a director for its festival of international literature and year-round public programming. The Director of the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature and Public Programs will report to the Executive Director of PEN and must be experienced in the artistic and managerial leadership of large-scale literary programs.
Founded in 1921, PEN is the world’s oldest human rights and literary organization. PEN American Center was founded in1922 and is the largest of the 144 chapters in 102 countries that make up International PEN. PEN American Center’s 3,400 members carry on a tradition exemplified by past members such as James Baldwin, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Norman Mailer, Arthur Miller, Grace Paley, Susan Sontag, and John Steinbeck.
Scope and Responsibilities – The Director of the World Voices Festival and Public Programs will provide the artistic vision and content of the programming in collaboration with Festival Chair Salman Rushdie and the Festival Advisory Committee, composed of some of the City’s leading professionals in the literary community. The Director will have budgetary responsibility for the Festival and Public Programs and will conduct fundraising and oversee marketing and public relations activities. The Director will supervise the Manager of the Festival and Public Programs, along with contractors involved in marketing, production, and other aspects of the Festival. The Director will work closely with the other PEN Directors who oversee Development; Finance & Administration; Membership; Freedom to Write (human rights and freedom of expression programming), Readers & Writers (educational programming for New York City high school students from under-resourced schools), and Prison Writing (writing instruction and annual Prison Writing Awards for men and women in prison), and with the Editor of the PEN Website.
An outline of the Director’s responsibilities follows:
1. Development of Program – Working with PEN staff and key stakeholders, the Director will:
2. Network Building, Fundraising and Budgeting
3. Marketing & Public Relations
4. The Festival Director will also supervise any public relations services contracted for specific PEN Public Programs.
Experience/Characteristics Required: The ideal candidate will have:
* A strong understanding of contemporary literature and authors, including literature in translation, and connections to the publishing world;
* Substantial artistic and managerial experience in conceiving and producing public literary, artistic, or comparable public programs and events, with premium qualification attached to cultural or arts festival experience on a similar scale;
* A readiness to consolidate the strengths of past Festivals and programs, and the imagination to create new ways of achieving the organization’s goals;
* Excellent planning, budgeting and financial management skills;
* Ability to respond swiftly and under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
* Ability to write well and to speak articulately and persuasively;
* Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff and volunteers;
* Excellent skills in working with others, diplomatically and effectively.
Contact Information: Please send your resume with a cover letter to:
Robyn DesHotel
Director of Finance & Administration
PEN American Center
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012
Email: rdeshotel@pen.org
More information here.
PEN American Center, an association of writers and others in the literary community dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and the advancement of literature through an international literary fellowship, seeks a director for its festival of international literature and year-round public programming. The Director of the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature and Public Programs will report to the Executive Director of PEN and must be experienced in the artistic and managerial leadership of large-scale literary programs.
Founded in 1921, PEN is the world’s oldest human rights and literary organization. PEN American Center was founded in1922 and is the largest of the 144 chapters in 102 countries that make up International PEN. PEN American Center’s 3,400 members carry on a tradition exemplified by past members such as James Baldwin, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Norman Mailer, Arthur Miller, Grace Paley, Susan Sontag, and John Steinbeck.
Scope and Responsibilities – The Director of the World Voices Festival and Public Programs will provide the artistic vision and content of the programming in collaboration with Festival Chair Salman Rushdie and the Festival Advisory Committee, composed of some of the City’s leading professionals in the literary community. The Director will have budgetary responsibility for the Festival and Public Programs and will conduct fundraising and oversee marketing and public relations activities. The Director will supervise the Manager of the Festival and Public Programs, along with contractors involved in marketing, production, and other aspects of the Festival. The Director will work closely with the other PEN Directors who oversee Development; Finance & Administration; Membership; Freedom to Write (human rights and freedom of expression programming), Readers & Writers (educational programming for New York City high school students from under-resourced schools), and Prison Writing (writing instruction and annual Prison Writing Awards for men and women in prison), and with the Editor of the PEN Website.
An outline of the Director’s responsibilities follows:
1. Development of Program – Working with PEN staff and key stakeholders, the Director will:
2. Network Building, Fundraising and Budgeting
3. Marketing & Public Relations
4. The Festival Director will also supervise any public relations services contracted for specific PEN Public Programs.
Experience/Characteristics Required: The ideal candidate will have:
* A strong understanding of contemporary literature and authors, including literature in translation, and connections to the publishing world;
* Substantial artistic and managerial experience in conceiving and producing public literary, artistic, or comparable public programs and events, with premium qualification attached to cultural or arts festival experience on a similar scale;
* A readiness to consolidate the strengths of past Festivals and programs, and the imagination to create new ways of achieving the organization’s goals;
* Excellent planning, budgeting and financial management skills;
* Ability to respond swiftly and under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
* Ability to write well and to speak articulately and persuasively;
* Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff and volunteers;
* Excellent skills in working with others, diplomatically and effectively.
Contact Information: Please send your resume with a cover letter to:
Robyn DesHotel
Director of Finance & Administration
PEN American Center
588 Broadway, Suite 303
New York, NY 10012
Email: rdeshotel@pen.org
More information here.
