Application Guide

How to Apply for Campaign Director (West Coast)

at Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute

🏢 About Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute

The Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE) Institute is at the forefront of integrating racial justice into economic campaigns, uniquely combining community organizing, labor union power, and strategic corporate campaigns. Their Bargaining for the Common Good (BCG) arm directly challenges corporate power by expanding collective bargaining to address systemic racism and economic inequality, making it an ideal place for organizers seeking transformative impact.

About This Role

As the West Coast Campaign Director, you will lead BCG campaigns across key geographies, coaching union and community leaders to build powerful coalitions that center racial justice and expand bargaining scope. This role is pivotal in growing the BCG network, recruiting new partners, and training organizers to execute high-impact campaigns against corporate bad actors, directly advancing ACRE's mission of a racially and economically just society.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a coaching call with a union local president to refine their bargaining demands for racial equity, followed by a strategy session with BCG partners on a corporate campaign targeting a private equity firm. Afternoon could involve a training workshop for new community leaders on power analysis, ending with a check-in with staff across West Coast sites to align on next steps and travel plans.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute Is Looking For

  • A seasoned organizer with 10+ years in social change, including 5+ years in union or labor-community coalition work, ideally with hands-on Bargaining for the Common Good campaign experience.
  • A strategic thinker with 5+ years focused on corporate campaigns, able to design and execute tactics that expose bad actors and build public pressure.
  • A skilled coach and trainer with 5+ years leading or supervising staff, comfortable developing leaders and facilitating workshops on racial justice and campaign strategy.
  • Deeply committed to anti-racist practices, politically sensitive, and willing to travel regularly (post-pandemic) for on-the-ground campaign support.

📝 Tips for Applying to Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute

1

Highlight specific BCG campaign experience or analogous labor-community coalition wins, detailing your role in expanding bargaining scope and centering racial justice.

2

Demonstrate your coaching ability by describing how you've developed leaders or trained organizers, including any curriculum or workshop design.

3

Show your corporate campaign expertise with concrete examples of targeting bad actors, using research, and building public pressure campaigns.

4

Explicitly connect your organizing philosophy to ACRE's mission of racial and economic justice, using their language from their website or published materials.

5

Address your willingness to travel and work irregular hours in your cover letter, and provide examples of successfully managing such demands.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience leading or participating in labor-community coalition campaigns that centered racial justice and expanded bargaining scope.', 'Your track record in corporate campaigns, including specific targets and outcomes that weakened corporate power.', 'Your approach to coaching and developing leaders from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing anti-racist practices.', "Your alignment with ACRE's values and your vision for growing the BCG network on the West Coast."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ACRE's website, especially the BCG page, to understand their current campaigns and key partners.
  • → Read recent reports or articles published by ACRE or their allies (e.g., on corporate campaigns against private equity or big banks).
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Bargaining for the Common Good framework and its application in recent labor fights (e.g., teacher strikes).
  • → Look into ACRE's funding sources and political context to understand their positioning in the broader social justice movement.
Visit Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a BCG campaign you've worked on or a similar coalition campaign; what made it strategic and how did you center racial justice?
2 How do you recruit and engage new unions or community groups into a campaign network? Give a specific example.
3 Walk us through a corporate campaign you led: target, tactics, timeline, and outcome.
4 How do you coach a leader who is struggling to incorporate anti-racist practices into their organizing?
5 This role requires significant travel and irregular hours. How do you maintain work-life balance and sustain your team?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic language about 'passion for social justice' without connecting to ACRE's specific racial and economic justice focus.
  • Don't downplay the need for corporate campaign experience; this role requires proven strategic corporate targeting, not just community organizing.
  • Avoid suggesting a top-down leadership style; ACRE values coaching and developing leaders, not commanding them.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute!

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