Senior Manager, Safety and Protection

Black Pen Recruitment

Senior Manager of Safety and Protection at PEN America supporting writers and their allies facing risks. Leading safety consultations, partnerships, and resource development in a crucial role.

Posted 4/17/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $85,000 - $95,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage the design, build, and implementation of an in-house system to provide safety consultations and referrals to at-risk writers and their allies in the U.S. including authors, journalists, scholars, and librarians
Lead the provision of individualized, trauma-informed safety consultations and referrals for at-risk writers and their allies in close collaboration with colleagues, consultants, and external partners
Represent the team in and strengthen the efficacy and efficiency of multi-stakeholder safety-related coalitions and networks that protect frontline democracy defenders, such as the Journalist Assistance Network and Democracy Protection Network
Drive outreach and build sustained partnerships with relevant organizations— including professional associations, media organizations, publishers, libraries, bookstores, and universities—to strengthen support for at-risk writers and their allies
Serve as an expert by advising the team and wider organization on safety and protection issues
Support the development and maintenance of multimedia safety resources for writers and their allies—including for the organization’s website and social media channels
Represent the team and speak at conferences and other public events as needed
Cultivate and research funding opportunities, draft proposals, and draft grant reports to sustain the program, including overseeing monitoring and evaluation by tracking metrics
Follow current developments in digital and physical safety, psychosocial wellbeing, online abuse, and freedom of expression and conduct relevant research and analysis
Provide support on intern recruitment and management, recordkeeping, financial reconciliation, expense reporting, and other team-wide administrative tasks as appropriate
Passionately support and advance PEN America’s mission to safeguard free expression in the United States and abroad.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of five to eight years of relevant experience in digital security, physical security, human rights, and/or journalism/media
At least two years of experience working with individuals at risk, including on digital and/or physical safety, online harassment, gender-based violence, and/or trauma-informed care
Proven experience providing empathetic, responsible, trauma-informed care to at-risk individuals and organizations, while maintaining confidentiality and trust
Strong knowledge of the evolving safety risks faced by writers and their allies, as well as effective risk mitigation strategies
Demonstrated ability to network and cultivate relationships with partners
Strong project management skills, including setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and measuring impact
Knowledge of free expression issues, especially regarding creative, academic, and press freedom
General knowledge of grant writing and reporting preferred
Track record for independent problem-solving, innovation, creativity, and effectiveness
A diplomatic disposition and strong facility with interpersonal communication and relationship-building
Personal qualities of integrity, patience, respect for others, and a willingness to learn
Must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization
Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental, and vision health insurance
paid time off
10 paid holidays
pre-tax commuter benefits
403b retirement plan

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

digital securityphysical securitytrauma-informed carerisk mitigation strategiesgrant writingproject managementmonitoring and evaluationresearch and analysisconfidentialitymetrics tracking

Soft Skills

empathyrelationship-buildingcommunicationproblem-solvinginnovationcreativityintegritypatiencerespect for othersdiplomacy