Assistant, Communications (Graphic Design)

Position description

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks an ambitious and highly organized creative communications assistant to support its growing visibility as a global leader in the defense of free expression. This position is in-person at PEN America’s SoHo office in New York. However, due to current guidelines provided by New York State and City health authorities, the position is temporarily remote. Applicants should be available and comfortable reporting to the office when we resume in-person work, where all appropriate health protocols and precautions are being taken.

This early-career 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. Ideal for an entry-level graphic designer passionate about literature and communications, this role will help shepherd the visual direction for PEN America’s digital campaigns and events, designing graphics and supporting our visual presence on social media and on the web. The position will also oversee the department’s administrative work, and provide support to our social media, website, and email marketing efforts.

Candidates representing diverse backgrounds strongly encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Generate eye-catching, innovative, on-brand creative collateral for PEN America’s social media channels, email campaigns, and website
• Manage the workflow of graphic requests, fielding them internally or working with external firms and designers to complete assignments on deadline
• Work alongside staff to generate templates and other DIY graphics to keep up with demand while also maintaining a high standard of visual excellence
• Design reports, white papers, one-sheets, and other print-ready content
• Quickly and efficiently handle day-to-day expenses for the department, ensuring vendors and partners are paid on time
• Source photography and support PEN America’s digital communications assistant in maintaining PEN.org’s media library
• Execute basic video editing tasks as needed
• Help manage and assign daily tasks to interns, fellows, and others
• Occasionally draft copy for social media and email campaigns, post blogs and press releases to PEN.org, and assist colleagues in a highly-matrixed department

Qualifications

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite—in particular Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere
• Experience managing workflows in Canva
• Basic knowledge of content management systems (we’re a WordPress shop)
• Superior writing abilities and an obsessive knack for grammar and style
• Ambitious problem diagnosis and creative problem-solving skills
• 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

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with experience.

Application instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample. Send the entire application to Stephen Fee, senior director of communications and marketing. Please use “Communications Assistant” and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Communications Assistant – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please be sure to indicate that you saw this position on Globaljobs.org