Full-time, non-exempt
Remote (NYC)
Words Without Borders seeks an administrative and development assistant to support the executive director in the management of the organization’s operations and fiscal growth. The ideal candidate will be a highly organized, systems-oriented self-starter able to prioritize a wide range of tasks. Reporting to the executive director and working closely with the development manager, the assistant will play a crucial role in strengthening Words Without Borders’ administrative capacity at a time of organizational growth. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career professional looking to gain experience and make an impact at a renowned international literary and educational organization.
The organization
Founded in 2003, Words Without Borders is the premier destination for a global literary conversation. Our mission is to cultivate global awareness by expanding access to international writing and creating a bridge between readers, writers, and translators.
Our award-winning digital magazine offers unparalleled access to the world’s literary voices. These include writers like Han Kang, Olga Tokarczuk, and Jon Fosse, all published on WWB before they became international sensations, as well as hundreds of new and rising talents. We are committed to centering writers in indigenous, endangered, and other world languages that are too often marginalized.
Our education program, WWB Campus, draws on the writing published in our magazine to bring global literature into hundreds of classrooms, offering free access to stories from around the world, multimedia curricular resources that bring literature to life, and professional support for educators.
WWB also organizes free virtual and in-person events with international authors, translators, and critics, providing a space for readers to engage directly with the perspectives we publish. Our fellowships and grants provide opportunities for emerging professionals in the field of literary translation.
Responsibilities
The assistant will report to the executive director and provide support to the development manager. As part of their regular duties, the administrative and development assistant will:
Office support:
- Manage online office accounts, file systems, and contact database
- Plan, organize, and schedule virtual and in-person meetings; take and distribute notes as needed
- Pick up and forward mail from WWB’s office in Brooklyn on a biweekly basis
- Coordinate travel for senior staff
- Order supplies as needed
Development and events:
- Provide logistical and administrative support for cultivation events, including WWB’s annual gala, Ottaway Award ceremony, and private events
- Provide support for WWB’s annual fundraising campaigns
- Draft and send donor correspondence
- Support the development manager in the preparation of grant materials
Executive and board assistance:
- Prepare communications including memos, reports, and correspondence for the executive director
- Carry out research for the executive director and board
- Prepare monthly board newsletter
- Track annual board commitment forms
- Schedule, staff, and help prepare materials for board meetings
- Respond to board members’ requests with discretion
Financial administration:
- Categorize income and expenses
- Create and track invoices and payments
- Support annual audit fieldwork and quarterly financial reports
- Download account statements and other materials for WWB’s bookkeeper
Qualifications
- College degree or equivalent.
- Self-starter with high level of organization.
- Excellent time-management skills and a proven ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proactive communication style with superb written and verbal communication skills; success in using a wide range of communication styles a plus.
- Aptitude for learning and implementing new systems and software.
- Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential material with discretion.
- Prior administrative or office management experience in a professional setting.
- Prior experience developing and maintaining filing systems strongly desired.
- Prior experience with online office tools used at WWB strongly desired (these include QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Dropbox, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace).
- A passion for international literature, education, and/or cultural exchange a plus.
Job details
This is a remote, full-time (32 hours/week) position. The applicant should be available during WWB’s core hours of 11am–3pm Eastern time and should be able to travel to WWB’s downtown Brooklyn office easily. Permission to work in the US is required.
Compensation and benefits
WWB offers a flexible, remote work environment with generous paid time off and a 32-hour, semi-flexible work schedule. Full-time employees work “core hours” of Monday–Thursday, 11am–3pm Eastern time, and choose either to work a Monday–Thursday or Monday–Friday schedule.
Salary range for the role is $38,000–$42,000 per year DOE. Benefits include:
- Health insurance including vision and dental.
- Employer-sponsored health flexible spending account.
- Generous annual holiday schedule, with 13 paid holidays annually.
- Life & long-term disability.
To apply
Interested candidates may email a résumé and cover letter indicating how this position aligns with their skill set and career goals by 11:59 pm ET on May 14 to jobs@wordswithoutborders.org with the subject line “Administrative and Development Assistant.”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications received, we will only contact individuals who make it to the interview round. No phone calls or social media contact, please.
Who we are
WWB is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a staff that reflects the diversity of the global communities we serve and uplifts marginalized and historically resilient communities while fostering an inclusive workplace culture. WWB welcomes and encourages applicants who bring a broad view of the world.
WWB provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.