Application Guide
How to Apply for Deputy Digital Director
at Project 26 Pennsylvania
🏢 About Project 26 Pennsylvania
Project 26 Pennsylvania is a youth-led organization that puts Gen-Z at the center of its mission to counter far-right extremism and build a progressive future. As a fast-paced, nimble startup focused on the 2026 elections, it offers a unique opportunity to shape digital strategy from the ground up and directly impact voter engagement among young people in a critical battleground state.
About This Role
As Deputy Digital Director, you will own the cross-platform strategy for Instagram, TikTok, and emerging platforms, driving real-time engagement during breaking political moments. You will directly manage two Digital Organizers, ensuring content resonates with students while tracking KPIs to optimize growth—making this role central to mobilizing Gen-Z voters in Pennsylvania.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start by reviewing overnight analytics and social media trends, then leading a morning stand-up with your two Digital Organizers to assign content and rapid response tasks. You'd spend the afternoon crafting or approving posts for breaking news, updating dashboards, and strategizing growth interventions for underperforming accounts—ending with a check-in on the team's workflow and content calendar for the next day.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Project 26 Pennsylvania Is Looking For
- Has at least 1 year of hands-on experience in digital comms, political campaigns, or advocacy, with a proven track record of growing Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Demonstrates strong management skills, ideally having supervised a team or led a digital operation with clear workflow and performance oversight.
- Possesses sharp political instincts and can quickly translate complex issues (e.g., student debt, abortion rights) into culturally fluent, shareable content for Gen-Z.
- Is data-driven, comfortable with analytics tools, and experienced in using KPIs to pivot strategy in real time.
📝 Tips for Applying to Project 26 Pennsylvania
Highlight specific examples of growing an Instagram or TikTok account from scratch or turning around an underperforming account, with metrics (e.g., follower growth, engagement rate).
Showcase a time you managed a rapid response to a political event—describe the content you created, the platform, and the impact on audience sentiment.
Tailor your resume to emphasize youth-led or progressive campaign experience, especially in Pennsylvania or similar battleground states.
In your cover letter, explicitly connect your digital strategy skills to the Gen-Z audience and the 2026 election cycle.
Prepare a portfolio of your best social media content (e.g., TikToks, Instagram Reels, graphics) that demonstrates cultural fluency and political messaging.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your direct experience with Instagram and TikTok growth mechanics, including specific strategies you've used (e.g., trending sounds, hashtag optimization, collaboration with creators).", 'Your ability to manage a team and balance high-level strategy with day-to-day content production and rapid response.', 'Your passion for youth-led organizing and your understanding of the stakes in Pennsylvania for the 2026 elections.', 'Concrete examples of translating political issues into content that resonates with Gen-Z, such as memes, short-form videos, or interactive stories.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Project 26 Pennsylvania's current social media presence on Instagram, TikTok, and any other platforms to understand their tone, content themes, and engagement levels.
- → Read about the 2026 Pennsylvania elections—key races, candidates, and issues that matter to young voters (e.g., climate, education, reproductive rights).
- → Look into the organization's past campaigns or initiatives, especially any youth-led actions or partnerships with student groups on college campuses.
- → Familiarize yourself with the broader political landscape in Pennsylvania, including recent voter turnout trends among Gen-Z and the role of digital organizing in past elections.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application—this role is hyper-specific to youth and Pennsylvania politics; tailor every part of your resume and cover letter.
- Avoid focusing only on strategy without demonstrating hands-on content creation skills; they need someone who can both plan and execute.
- Don't overlook the management aspect—failing to mention experience or comfort with supervising staff will make you seem unprepared for the deputy role.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Project 26 Pennsylvania!