Application Guide
How to Apply for Executive Director
at Japanese American Citizens League
🏢 About Japanese American Citizens League
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the nation's oldest and largest Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights organization, with a 95-year legacy of advocacy. What makes JACL unique is its chapter-driven model that combines national policy influence with grassroots community engagement, specifically focused on advancing civil and human rights for AAPI communities. Someone would want to work here to lead an organization with historical significance while shaping its future impact during a critical time for civil rights advocacy.
About This Role
As Executive Director, you'll lead JACL's strategic direction while strengthening internal systems to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth. This role involves serving as both a visible ambassador for JACL's civil rights agenda and an operational leader who can execute strategy while building relationships with policymakers, coalitions, funders, and media. The impact comes from elevating JACL's national presence while ensuring its chapter-driven model remains effective and values-driven.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning strategy sessions with national staff to strengthen internal systems, followed by afternoon calls with chapter leaders to understand local needs and challenges. You could spend part of the day preparing for meetings with policymakers or funders to advance JACL's civil rights agenda, while also working on operational plans to guide the organization's growth. The role balances internal leadership with external ambassadorship, requiring flexibility to shift from operational details to high-level advocacy conversations.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Japanese American Citizens League Is Looking For
- An experienced operational leader who can demonstrate specific examples of executing strategy while strengthening internal systems in a nonprofit or membership organization
- Someone with deep commitment to building values-driven cultures, specifically showing experience fostering collaboration, belonging, respect, and accountability in diverse teams
- A strategic thinker who values situational awareness and can provide examples of making decisive, purposeful communications in complex civil rights or advocacy contexts
- A relationship-builder with proven ability to engage multiple stakeholders including grassroots chapters, policymakers, funders, and media in the AAPI advocacy space
📝 Tips for Applying to Japanese American Citizens League
Highlight specific experience with chapter-driven or membership organizations, as JACL's model relies heavily on local chapter engagement and support
Demonstrate understanding of both operational leadership AND civil rights advocacy - don't focus solely on one aspect as this role requires balancing both
Reference JACL's specific history and current initiatives (like their work on immigration, voting rights, or anti-hate initiatives) to show you've done your homework
Show how you've built values-driven cultures in previous roles, with concrete examples of fostering collaboration, belonging, and accountability
Emphasize your ability to be both an internal operational leader and external ambassador - this dual role is critical for JACL's Executive Director
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience leading operational strategy while strengthening internal systems in nonprofit or advocacy organizations', "How you've built and maintained values-driven cultures that prioritize collaboration, belonging, respect, and accountability", 'Your track record of engaging diverse stakeholders including grassroots members, policymakers, and funders in civil rights contexts', "Your vision for guiding JACL into its 'next chapter of growth' while honoring its 95-year legacy and chapter-driven model"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → JACL's current policy priorities and recent advocacy campaigns (check their website and recent press releases)
- → The organization's chapter structure and how local chapters operate within the national framework
- → JACL's history, particularly key moments in its 95-year legacy of AAPI civil rights advocacy
- → Current leadership team and board members to understand the organizational culture and priorities
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on operational leadership without demonstrating understanding of civil rights advocacy or JACL's specific mission
- Generic statements about diversity and inclusion without specific examples of building values-driven cultures in previous roles
- Overlooking the chapter-driven aspect of JACL's model - candidates who don't understand or value grassroots engagement won't succeed
📅 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 Japanese American Citizens League!