Jobs + Intern

Deputy Director

Reports to Executive Director
Conway, Arkansas

The Oxford American, a literary arts organization founded in 1992, has an exciting opportunity for an experienced non-profit project manager and fundraiser. The Deputy Director (DD) will assist the Executive Director in overseeing operations, finance, and major gifts.

The OA produces an award-winning quarterly magazine along with live events, a podcast, and short films, with robust digital programming on OxfordAmerican.org. 

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about our mission to explore the complexity and vitality of the South. The ideal candidate understands both the challenges and joys of championing the arts. Our new DD will be both collaborative and autonomous—and eager to project manage several ongoing initiatives. 

The DD will serve as a thought partner, along with the Executive Director and Outreach Team, as we overhaul donor communications and circulation strategy in order to increase our reach and ensure long-term sustainability. 

This position is based in our offices in Conway, Arkansas. While telecommuting is not an option, hybrid work arrangements can be made for a candidate with previous success working remotely.

Like the Executive Director, the DD will have responsibilities across several departments. The DD may spend one day assembling a grant report, the next day speaking with major donors, and the following day helping the Executive Director prepare for a board meeting. This role is ideal for someone with broad experience and skills who wants to support independent media, amplify underrepresented voices, and serve those most in need of arts and culture programming. 

Key Responsibilities

Accounting + Finance

Support Executive Director to:

• Plan budgets and revenue goals for each department

• Review balance sheets and monthly financials

• Set annual budgets for board approval

Advertising

• Assist ad team in securing major corporate support

Development 

• Develop relationships with foundations and major donors

• Manage grant budgets and reports

• Represent the OA at events and fundraisers

• Offer feedback and strategic insight on fundraising campaigns

Outreach

• Set goals and metrics for audience growth and retention

• Project manage CRM transition

• Support outreach efforts to meet underserved audiences

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in fundraising, development, and project management

• Minimum 3 years experience in a management and/or finance position

• Arts, humanities, literary, and/or publishing background

• Experience working with a diverse team and promoting a mission

• Demonstrated success in grant management and major fundraising

• Proficiency in donor databases or CRMs

• Familiarity with project management platforms like Basecamp, Google Drive, Dropbox

• Enthusiastic about developing relationships with current and potential donors

• Ability to work closely with multiple departments

• Ability to manage several ongoing projects at once

• Exceptional writing and interpersonal skills

• Ability to generate interest in the organization and serve as a steward for our mission

• Ability to work autonomously and solve problems

• Some travel for OA events and meetings will be required. (< 5% of appointment)

Additional information

Application review will begin immediately with a projected start date of mid June.

The OA is committed to empowering voices underserved by the publishing arena and those with the lived experience to serve our mission. Applicants of color and/or those who identify as LGBTQ+ or disabled are encouraged to apply. We invite applicants to voluntarily disclose any non-dominant identities in their materials.

Compensation

$60,000 annualized salary plus benefits including health, vision, and dental; 401k; unlimited vacation.

To apply, email a résumé and one-page letter of interest to jobs@oxfordamerican.org, subject line: Deputy Director.

Editorial Internships

The Oxford American offers a comprehensive year-round editorial internship program.

We have full-time and part-time positions available and offer a stipend of $2,500 per term. Internships begin in January, June, and September, though the program provides some flexibility for starting dates, and the opportunity for interested interns to extend their terms. For the near future, internships will be remote.

The OA is grateful to the family of Jeff Baskin (Susan Weinstein, Bernie and Danny Baskin) for their generous support of this program. Jeff Baskin, a librarian by trade, was a lifelong and generous literary citizen. His imaginative approach to his work and his programming innovations brought reading and writing to countless in the North Little Rock community. In 2010, he initiated the Laman Library Writers Fellowship, an annual award that honored Arkansas writers. In partnership with his family, the Oxford American is proud to reinvigorate and expand this legacy to support editors and writers.

The OA is also lucky to receive support from the University of Central Arkansas and the Murphy Scholars program at Hendrix College toward internship placements for their students in accordance with the academic calendar. For more information on UCA’s graduate student assistantship, please reach out to Stephanie Vanderslice at stephv@uca.edu. Hendrix students should apply here and contact Hope Coulter at coulter@hendrix.edu with additional questions.

We accept applications for all terms year-round but please note the following deadlines: 

• April 15 for internships starting in June

• August 21 for internships starting in September

• November 15 for internships starting in January 

Interns are a vital part of the Oxford American’s print and digital production teams. The duties of an intern include evaluating manuscript submissions, participating in the planning of issues, fact-checking and proofreading stories, drafting posts for social media, and creating and maintaining digital content for the website. Interns are encouraged to participate in our off-site concerts and readings, generate article ideas, and to write for oxfordamerican.org. 

Applications should include a detailed cover letter, resume, and one writing sample of up to 5 pages in length. Your sample could be one long piece or a collection of short pieces. (Samples can include critical and/or creative work, though a substantial portion should be prose.) Please specify the term for which you are applying. 

Submit your application using this form. Simply create a Submittable account and follow the instructions to attach your materials.

Thank you for your interest.

Podcast Internship

Reports to Assistant Editor
Location: Central Arkansas or Remote

The Oxford American (OA) is seeking an intern for our Points South podcast. This position provides an opportunity for someone with strong initiative to contribute to the growth of our programming and audience. 

We are seeking someone who has a passion for audio storytelling with some audio engineering and editing skills. The podcast intern should be able to function both as part of a dynamic team working toward common goals and independently.

Responsibilities

* Create sessions for each segment in ProTools

* Maintain and update production calendar

* Process audio files in transcription service and clean up transcripts

* ID “good tape” and generate rough cuts of scripts

* Assist producers with scheduling

* Create and update tape log

* Fact-check scripts and support producer and contributor research

* Contribute to marketing the podcast and pursuing syndication opportunities

* Collaborate with Engagement Editor on earned coverage and social media

Knowledge, skills, and experience

* Proficiency with ProTools

* Excellent organizational and communication abilities

* Strong interest in narrative storytelling

The OA is committed to empowering voices underserved by the publishing arena; applicants of color and/or those who identify as LGBTQ+ or disabled are encouraged to apply. We invite applicants to voluntarily disclose any non-dominant identities in their materials.

Applications for this remote internship are accepted on a rolling basis. Interns will be expected to work 15–18 hours per week and will receive a stipend of $5000. The next internship term will begin March 1, 2023.

Applications can be submitted via our Submittable form. To apply, please include a letter of interest and résumé.