Senior Program Manager, Journalism and Disinformation

PEN America, a growing nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a motivated and expert professional with experience in the journalism sector to serve as senior program manager of journalism and disinformation, driving forward a new project to support journalists and newsrooms to more effectively grapple with the impact of disinformation on their work. This is a full-time position within PEN America’s Free Expression Programs department, reporting to the Director, U.S. Free Expression Programs. The position will be based in New York or Washington, D.C.

The senior program manager of journalism and disinformation will launch a new area of programming that will collaborate with journalists and newsrooms to combat the professional impacts of disinformation. This work builds on the findings of a survey PEN America conducted of over 1,000 journalists and editors that showed disinformation in its many forms is having a significant and detrimental impact on reporters and editors and the practice of journalism – but that newsrooms face challenges in responding, especially given the compounding difficulties facing the industry as a whole, and local journalism in particular. The senior program manager will spearhead a new response to the issues raised by the survey, including: organizing consultations with journalists and newsroom leaders to identify needed resources and potential solutions; developing a one-stop online resource for disinformation resilience for journalists and newsrooms based on the findings of the consultations; and engaging with editors and newsroom executives to bring this conversation into individual newsrooms and assist them in thinking through, developing, and implementing tailored support and responses.

The successful candidate will have experience in the journalism field and be an energetic self-starter with a demonstrated track record of scoping and delivering on complex projects with multiple moving parts. Expertise in combatting disinformation is preferred, although candidates with the capacity to develop this capability based on previous related work will be considered. 

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:

• Plan, design, and execute a multi-pronged project to support journalists and newsrooms to counter the impacts of disinformation on their work 

• Cultivate and develop partnerships with newsrooms, including conducting consultations on the findings of the report

• Conceptualize and drive forward the development of a comprehensive, scalable guide to disinformation resilience for journalists and newsrooms 

• Develop and execute a program of newsroom support, delivered to editors and journalists through consultations, workshops, and other programming

• Represent PEN America in public discussions and advocacy on disinformation and its impact on press freedom

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:

• A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience including in journalism, free speech, civil liberties, press freedom, public advocacy, and/or related areas

• Experience working in newsrooms and/or understanding of how newsrooms operate

• Expertise in the manifestations and implications of disinformation strongly preferred but not required

• Demonstrated leadership and program building success, including in effective management of programs with multiple moving parts and significant communications elements

• A track record of showing initiative and creative problem solving skills

• Strong research skills including experience conducting interviews. Superb writing skills. 

• Experience working with graphic designers and web content professionals a plus

• Demonstrated ability to network and build strong relationships with partners

• Commitment to integrating an intersectional, inclusive approach to programming and demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive issues with care and conscientiousness

• Willingness to travel within the United States as needed as the program evolves

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $75k-80k, 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 cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample to jobs@pen.org. Use “Senior Program Manager, Journalism & Disinformation” with your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Senior Program Manager, Journalism & Disinformation – Jane Doe”). Please also share where you heard about this position in the body of your email. 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.