Consultant, Los Angeles Programs And Engagement – Fall 2024

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a consultant to support the work of Los Angeles team’s scheduled public programming and its week-long Emerging Voices workshop in December 2024, from September 2024-January 2025. This consultancy, estimated to require a minimum of 30 hours/week, will be contracted for four months, with the possibility of extending for one to two additional months.

The Los Angeles office works a hybrid schedule, two-days remote and three-days in-person in our Hollywood offices. Depending on the timing of events and programs, night and weekend work will be necessary, as will travel throughout the Los Angeles metro region. During the one-week Emerging Voices Workshop in December, the consultant will need to be present at the workshop location in Santa Monica. The consultant will report to the managing director of PEN America Los Angeles.

Working closely with the Los Angeles events and operations coordinator, the consultant will serve as a liaison between event venues, program partners, booksellers, and audiences. In preparation for the Winter Emerging Voices Workshop, the consultant will provide support in recruitment, application review and selection of participants. Additionally, the consultant will play a significant role in finalizing the roster of workshop facilitators and guest speakers and managing their schedules. The consultant will also act as the primary producer of the workshop’s final reading, an invite-only program that will culminate the week’s work while showcasing the workshop’s participating writers and their manuscripts in progress. The consultant will be an integrated member of the Los Angeles team, and will work as such to manage and refine our slate of programs and events.  

The successful candidate must have experience in project management and public events and be an energetic self-starter with a demonstrated track record of managing and delivering meaningful educational and/or literary experiences with multiple moving parts. The candidate must be a creative thinker and problem solver who is committed to PEN America’s mission and work. 

Responsibilities

  • Act as primary PEN America contact and leader for the December 2024 PEN America Emerging Voices Workshop in Los Angeles, supporting 15 writers over the course of a week of craft workshops, community-building activities, and professional development sessions, culminating in a final public reading
  • Work in concert with the Los Angeles team in production of Fall and Winter slate of public programs and events, including literary programs, Banned Book Week events, Authors Evenings, and member engagement events

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated leadership and program management experience
  • Prior experience producing public events and programs
  • Ability to effectively support the needs of writers with a commitment to listening 
  • Must be self-driven, able to take initiative, and able to work independently; has demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
  • Willingness and the ability to travel around the Los Angeles-metro area, as required 
  • Local candidates with pre-existing connections within the Los Angeles creative community strongly preferred
  • Prior work or familiarity with PEN America a plus
  • Commitment to inclusive and equitable access to program offerings

Consultancy Fees: The consultancy fee will be $6,000/month for a term of four months. Expenses incurred in execution of duties will be reimbursed, as approved by the managing director.

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.