Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Director

at Catapult Design

🏢 About Catapult Design

Catapult Design is a unique mission-driven organization that advances social good through design, specifically focusing on reflecting the diverse communities it serves. Unlike traditional design firms, Catapult prioritizes social impact over profit, making it ideal for leaders passionate about using human-centered design to address global and community challenges.

About This Role

As Executive Director, you'll provide visionary leadership to ensure Catapult's growth, creative excellence, and global impact while overseeing all business development, operations, and governance. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape the organization's strategic direction and serve as a thought leader in the social impact design industry, ensuring Catapult remains financially strong and mission-aligned.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategic planning sessions to guide Catapult's growth, reviewing financial reports to ensure P&L health, and collaborating with teams on human-centered design projects. You could also spend time engaging with diverse communities, representing Catapult as a thought leader, and overseeing operations to maintain mission-driven excellence.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Catapult Design

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Catapult Design Is Looking For

  • Has proven experience as an Executive Director with full P&L and balance sheet responsibility, ideally in a mission-driven or design-focused organization
  • Possesses a solid background in applying human-centered design processes to projects at global, national, and community levels
  • Demonstrates exceptional communication and people leadership skills, with the ability to serve as a visible spokesperson for social impact design
  • Is a visionary leader capable of guiding Catapult into its next chapter while ensuring it reflects the diverse communities it serves

📝 Tips for Applying to Catapult Design

1

Highlight specific examples where you've applied human-centered design processes to social impact projects at different scales (global, national, community)

2

Quantify your experience with P&L and balance sheet management in a mission-driven context, emphasizing how you balanced financial strength with social impact

3

Demonstrate your thought leadership in social impact design by referencing publications, speaking engagements, or industry contributions

4

Show how you've fostered diversity and inclusion in previous roles, aligning with Catapult's commitment to reflecting diverse communities

5

Tailor your application to emphasize both visionary leadership and operational excellence, as Catapult needs a leader who can strategize and execute

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience running a business as an Executive Director with full P&L responsibility, specifically in a mission-driven context', 'Examples of applying human-centered design to social impact projects, highlighting outcomes at global, national, or community levels', 'Your vision for guiding Catapult into its next chapter while maintaining its commitment to diversity and social good', "How you've served as a spokesperson or thought leader in the social impact design industry"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Catapult Design's past projects to understand their approach to human-centered design and social impact
  • → Study the organization's public communications, blog posts, or case studies to grasp their values and mission alignment
  • → Research the social impact design industry to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities Catapult might face
  • → Look into Catapult's team structure and community partnerships to understand how they reflect diversity in practice
Visit Catapult Design's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you balance Catapult's financial strength with its mission-driven focus, given your P&L experience?
2 Describe a time you applied human-centered design to a social impact project at a community level and the outcome
3 What strategies would you use to ensure Catapult reflects the diverse communities it serves in its operations and design work?
4 How would you position Catapult as a thought leader in the social impact design industry?
5 What is your vision for Catapult's next chapter, and how would you operationalize it?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing solely on profit-driven leadership without emphasizing mission alignment or social impact
  • Providing generic examples of design experience without tying them to human-centered processes or diverse communities
  • Neglecting to address how you'd serve as a spokesperson or thought leader for the social impact design industry

📅 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 Catapult Design!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →