Program Manager

Position Overview: The Program Manager is responsible for managing a significant portion of NYWC’s creative writing programs, including creating, administering, and developing publicity and communications about our readings, publications and events, maintaining our website and blog, and supervising our creative writing workshops in schools and for the general public. The Program Manager also supports our volunteer Workshop Leaders, including training, recruitment and retention of leaders. The Program Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and works closely with our Program Director, Communications and Development Manager, and our volunteer Workshop Leaders and committees.

Organization Overview: NY Writers Coalition (NYWC) is one of the largest community writing organizations in the country. NYWC creates opportunities for formerly voiceless members of society to be heard through the art of writing. We provide free, unique and powerful creative writing workshops throughout New York City for people from groups that have been historically deprived of voice in our society, including at-risk and disconnected youth, the homeless and formerly homeless, the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, war veterans, people with disabilities, cancer and major illness, immigrants, seniors and others. We also publish our workshop participants’ writing and organize public readings of their work. Writing with others in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance, participants discover the value of their own stories, gain confidence and a stronger sense of self and become less isolated from themselves and from society. By creating a communit y of writers and leaders from diverse backgrounds, we galvanize the voices of the marginalized and create opportunities for all writers to connect with the larger community. NYWC’s goal is to create an inclusive city, one that is aware of the diversity of voices within it and honors the lives of all of its citizens.

We believe:

• Everyone is a writer, regardless of prior writing experience and formal education;
• Through encouragement and support, people grow as writers and artists;
• In the value of the uniqueness of every individual’s voice;
• Each person’s experiences are a source of strength and power as a writer and an artist;
• In creating and maintaining a non-judgmental, open and respectful community where everyone is encouraged to support and listen to each other and to take risks and grow as writers;
• Each person, through writing, can shape and influence the lives of others; and
• We can achieve social change by providing access and opportunity for all writers, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, age, gender, sexual orientation and physical ability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of our public programs, including our annual Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival, our Writing Aloud Reading Series, our annual Write Makes Might and The Write Stuff readings, our annual Write-A-Thon, and our workshops for the general public.
• Layout, edit, publish, distribute and publicize our publications by our workshop members, including approximately 6 chapbooks, 1 book-length anthology, and 3 to 4 issues of our online magazine Dig Deep each year. Also create and manage book launch readings for these publications.
• Manage our volunteer recruitment, training and retention efforts, including developing recruitment materials, conducting outreach, responding to inquiries and applications, assisting with training sessions and our annual retreat, and creating new opportunities to build community among our volunteers.
• Create and distribute internal and external communications about our programs, including via phone, email, website, and social media. This includes creating newsletters, keeping our website up-to-date, maintaining our private website for volunteers, and supervising our team of volunteer writers and editors for The Narrator, our arts and social justice blog.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Various administrative duties, including database maintenance and data entry, and event calendaring.
• Occasional fundraising activities such as basic grant writing and reporting and individual donor outreach to support NYWC’s programs.
• Represent NYWC to media, constituents, community members and others at conferences, panels, networking events.
• Participate in and attend NYWC events as assigned.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum two years of experience working in the non-profit sector.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute high quality programs or projects and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong computer and technology skills, including WordPress, Microsoft Office, Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Experience with HTML, CiviCRM or similar database, Adobe Creative Suite, and Constant Contact a plus.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to be a part of a very small staff and as such, work independently, learn quickly, and adapt within an extremely fast-paced, rapidly changing dynamic environment.
• Candidates should expect to work evening and weekend time (flex hours are arranged accordingly).

Ideal Characteristics: An ideal candidate will have a genuine enthusiasm for NYWC’s mission and beliefs, will be familiar with nonprofit settings and under-served communities, will relate to people in a positive and friendly manner, and will welcome being a part of a close-knit community of writers and activists. Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task and prioritize under pressure are highly valued.

NYWC has an ongoing commitment to the principles and practices of diversity and inclusiveness throughout the community and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance NYWC’s diversity.

NYWC is committed to providing a safe community. Therefore, employment with NYWC will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check.

Hours: Full-time

Benefits: Vacation, Health Insurance, Professional Development

Salary: Low to mid $40,000s, depending on experience

Applications accepted until July 1, 2012

Application Instructions

Please send cover letter with salary history, two professional writing samples, and resume to: aaron@nywriterscoalition.org. Please include Program Manager in the subject of your email.

Job Type: Program
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organizations