Executive Director

 

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation champions the breadth and power of fiction in America.  The Foundation is dedicated to the idea that fiction creates empathy within and among communities and advances civil discourse and that American culture thrives when stories from diverse perspectives enrich our lives. To further these ideals, we cultivate a vibrant landscape for writers and readers of fiction both locally and nationally through the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and our literary and education programs.

Job type: Fulltime, hybrid (Greater Washington, DC area)

Reports to: PEN/Faulkner Board of Directors

Compensation: $125,000-$160,000 annually

Priority application deadline: October 18, 2026

Position Overview

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and overall management for the PEN/Faulkner Foundation to advance the organization’s mission, expand its impact, and ensure the foundation’s long-term sustainability. The Executive Director is responsible for the effective day-to-day operations of the organization, including fundraising, program development and implementation, financial management, staff supervision and professional development, strategic communications, public and community relations, and administration. The Executive Director actively upholds and champions PEN/Faulkner’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Executive Director reports to and is evaluated annually by the Board of Directors. 

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Planning

  • Provides visionary leadership to staff and stakeholders, serving as the primary spokesperson for the organization’s mission and impact.
  • Works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement multi-year strategic plans and monitors performance against key goals, reporting progress regularly to the Board and other key stakeholders.
  • Identifies and pursues strategic partnerships that enhance the PEN/Faulkner Foundation’s visibility and national reputation.
  • Ensures a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across all organizational initiatives and internal operations.

Fundraising & Development

  • Leads and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy encompassing individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and grants to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Empowers, supports, and collaborates with development staff in the execution of key fundraising activities and programs.
  • Cultivates and maintains high-level relationships with current and prospective donors to expand the organizational funding base.
  • Oversees grant lifecycle management, including research, writing, reporting, and rigorous compliance.
  • Directs the planning and execution of major fundraising events and multi-channel campaigns.
  • Establishes ethical fundraising practices and internal systems to track donor stewardship and cost-effectiveness.

Program Development & Oversight

  • Brings vision, innovation, and thought leadership to the development and execution of programming that leverages PEN/Faulkner’s unique assets.
  • Provides oversight for the design, implementation, and evaluation of all literary, education, and award programs.
  • Facilitates outreach to prospective program participants and the broader literary community.
  • Ensures all programmatic activities and annual events are high-quality and directly aligned with strategic objectives.
  • Utilizes data-driven insights to recommend and implement program improvements or identify new opportunities for expansion.

Financial Management

  • Develops the annual budget in collaboration with the Treasurer and Finance Committee, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with relevant priorities.
  • Maintains rigorous oversight of financial performance, ensuring full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborates with financial leadership to develop transparent and actionable reporting formats for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manages organizational assets and oversees the accuracy of all financial reporting.

Staff & Volunteer Management

  • Recruits, mentors, and evaluates a high-performing, fully remote team, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment and a culture of accountability.
  • Provides management and support by communicating clear performance expectations and providing meaningful opportunities for staff growth.
  • Utilizes project management systems and practices to facilitate organization-wide collaboration, communication, and accountability.
  • Oversees the strategic integration of volunteers and advisors to support organizational goals.

Strategic Communications and Community Engagement

  • Serves as the primary ambassador for PEN/Faulkner’s mission and programs and is responsible for maintaining a positive brand, image, and reputation for the organization.
  • Leverages PEN/Faulkner’s unique assets to develop, implement, and actively drive a dynamic communications strategy that results in expanded visibility, brand awareness, and public engagement with the organization and its programs.
  • Oversees public relations, marketing, and social media strategy to ensure that communications practices respond to evolving audience trends and methods of engagement.
  • Cultivates external relationships with leaders of local and national peer institutions and partner organizations.

Board Relations

  • Partners closely with the Board of Directors to facilitate effective governance and strategic decision-making.
  • Prepares for and actively participates in regular check-ins with the Board President and/or Executive Committee, to share strategic and urgent updates, request support, and prepare for upcoming Board and committee meetings.
  • Equips Board Directors with the necessary tools, data, and training to successfully meet their fundraising and advocacy goals.
  • Manages the flow of communication to the Board and its committees, including the preparation of comprehensive reports and materials for all meetings and committees.
  • Actively supports onboarding, orientation, and engagement of new Board members to ensure a diverse, engaged, and effective governing body.
  • Maintains PEN/Faulkner’s positive and productive relationships with Emeritus Board Members.

Administration & Operations

  • Oversees day-to-day operations to ensure maximum organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Develops and maintains robust policies, administrative systems, and technology to support a remote workforce.
  • Ensures the organization remains in compliance with all applicable laws and nonprofit best practices.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

  • Commitment to the PEN/Faulkner Foundation’s mission, vision, and values
  • Demonstrated success leading and managing a high-performing nonprofit organization or core division/team through periods of strategic planning and organizational growth, preferably in a literary, cultural, or arts-focused organization
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant field
  • Track record of initiating, cultivating, and managing relationships with key constituencies including internal staff, corporations, foundations, funders, nonprofits, districts, and/or schools
  • Experience generating revenue, especially via fundraising 
  • Experience managing business and financial operations, project management, and program implementation
  • Comfort working with and managing a remote team
  • Clear and effective written and verbal communication

How to Apply or Nominate a Candidate

To apply:  Email your resume and a brief cover letter (one page or less) to PENFaulknerEDSearch@tassantpartners.com.

Important: Please send all application documents as PDF attachments. To ensure proper review, please do not send links to online files (e.g., Google Drive) or Word documents.

To nominate a candidate: Email PENFaulknerEDSearch@tassantpartners.com with the individual’s name, email address, and very brief description of why you are nominating this individual to serve as our next Executive Director.

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.