Communications Manager

Black Pen Recruitment

Communications Manager supporting PEN America’s English-language communications and public outreach. Developing strategies and building partnerships to enhance Kronika’s visibility and institutional positioning.

Posted 6/25/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $75,000 - $85,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support Kronika’s English-language communications and public outreach strategy across editorial, digital, media, and public-facing channels
Maintain and help shape Kronika’s English-language institutional voice, messaging, and public positioning across communications platforms and external materials
Develop and manage partnerships with U.S.-based and international media organizations, NGOs, technologists, human rights organizations, universities, archives, and cultural institutions to amplify Kronika’s work and extend its reach, including convenings and public programs
Actively cultivate relationships with journalists, editors, producers, writers, and public-facing partners in support of Kronika’s visibility and institutional positioning
Secure and coordinate national and international media coverage for Kronika’s initiatives, archives, and public programming
Represent Kronika at conferences, panels, festivals, convenings, and professional platforms in the United States and internationally
Contribute to Kronika’s international communications and institutional positioning, including the development of materials for external audiences, partners, collaborators, and funders
Support the production and coordination of Kronika’s English-language newsletters and editorial communications, including the organization’s Substack in partnership
Draft, edit, and coordinate communications materials including press releases, newsletters, briefing documents, website copy, institutional statements, and promotional materials
Coordinate relevant communications activities with PEN America and Bard communications procedures and institutional requirements
Collaborate across departments to ensure coherence between archival, technical, research, communications, and public programming work

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of five years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, media relations, publishing, public affairs, cultural programming, nonprofit advocacy, or related fields
Experience in English-language communications, editorial strategy, or public engagement initiatives for mission-driven organizations
Strong experience building and managing partnerships with media organizations, NGOs, universities, cultural institutions, archives, or human rights organizations
Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling and accessible public narratives
Experience managing newsletters, editorial platforms, Substack publications, or other audience-facing editorial products preferred
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate across teams and partners
Experience working across digital communications platforms including websites, newsletters, and social media channels
Knowledge of issues relating to archives, journalism, censorship, freedom of expression, independent media, digital preservation, or cultural memory preferred
Track record of initiative, creativity, sound judgement, and independent problem-solving
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. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies.
Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country's government.

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

communicationsjournalismmedia relationspublishingpublic affairscultural programmingnonprofit advocacywritingeditingproject management

Soft Skills

relationship buildingorganizational skillsproblem-solvingcreativitysound judgementinitiativeverbal communicationability to translate complex ideas