Vacancy: Writers in Translation Programme Manager

Writers in Translation Programme Manager
£26,000-£29,000

English PEN is the founding centre of an international writers’ association, working to promote literature and freedom of expression, and is based at the Free Word Centre, a hub for literature, literacy and freedom of speech organisations. English PEN’s Writers in Translation programme pursues this vision with the support of Arts Council England, awarding grants for translation to publishers. Over the past ten years Writers in Translation has been at the centre of creating a thriving network of translators, publishers, editors and writers and is a key partner of the annual International Translation Day conference held at the British Library, and the Literary Translation Centre held each year at London Book Fair. Since the programme began awarding grants it has supported some of the world’s greatest writers, facilitating authors’ visits to the UK, building new audiences for international literature and establishing translated literature in the literary mainstream.

English PEN now has an exciting opening for a literature professional to join its team in a full-time, permanent post, overseeing the grants schemes and working with publishers to ensure that their titles reach the widest possible audience through creative promotional campaigns. This is a great opportunity for the right person to make an impact at a key period of activity for the Writers in Translation programme.

Job summary

To oversee the development and delivery of the Writers in Translation programme of English PEN, with responsibility for fundraising and related projects
To communicate the programme’s work to publishers, translators, funders, English PEN members and the media, where appropriate
To work in partnership with other organisations on projects including the Literary Translation Centre at London Book Fair, International Translation Day and to develop new relevant partnerships
To commission and edit the weekly PEN Atlas blog featuring leading international writers and translators
To manage freelance staff and members of the Programme team. To be a key member of the English PEN staff team, collaborating on projects and events management
To work with English PEN’s Head of Programmes and the Director of English PEN in the development and delivery of the Writers in Translation strategy

Responsibilities include

Obtaining high-level submissions from English publishers for the PEN Translates and PEN Promotes grants schemes
Working with the Writers in Translation committee which assesses and evaluates the submissions to the grants schemes
Managing and maintaining a strong relationship with Writers in Translation funders at Arts Council England and other key partners.
Assisting publishers in designing and carrying out the promotion and marketing of the titles.
Demonstrating creativity in supporting the delivery of book promotion events and managing events showcasing the work of English PEN
Collaborating with English PEN’s Public Events programme to deliver PEN Atlas events
Management of the English PEN Programmes Co-ordinator with the support of the Head of Programmes

Experience and skills

The successful candidate may have experience in publishing, literature development or other arts promotion work. He/she will:

Be highly skilled in administration, including having a great attention to detail
Have a creative flair and passion for international literature
Be committed about building audiences for international literature
Demonstrate an interest in other cultures
Be eager to promote new writing from unheard voices
Have familiarity with digital technology and be keen to explore its potential
Be a great communicator, both in writing and verbally
Demonstrate calm and professionalism under pressure
Be able to work as part of a team and with a wide range of partners
Ability to collaborate with all English PEN’s programmes including Outreach and Campaigns
Be flexible and extremely well organised
Have a keen interest in English PEN’s wider work for literature and freedom of expression

To apply

Please send a cover letter (with ‘Writers in Translation’ in the subject line) and your CV to [email protected] by 6pm on Friday 19 August 2016.

Please note: Applicants must have a legal right to work in the UK

We offer

Salary: £26,000-£29,000
25 days annual leave, opportunity to join company pension plan after 3 months

Interview dates

First-round interviews will take place on 12 and 13 September with final interviews held on 19 and 20 September