Application Guide

How to Apply for Higher Ed Campaign Director

at Debt Collective

🏢 About Debt Collective

The Debt Collective is the first debtors' union in the U.S., organizing debtors to build mass economic power through direct action, legal advocacy, and policy change. They have won billions in debt cancellation, making them a unique and impactful organization for those passionate about economic justice. Working here means being part of a member-led, grassroots movement that challenges the financial system.

About This Role

As Higher Ed Campaign Director, you will develop and execute strategic campaign plans to achieve student debt cancellation and free college, directly impacting millions of borrowers. You'll also facilitate a member leadership fellowship and supervise organizers, shaping the next generation of movement leaders. This role is central to the Debt Collective's mission and offers a chance to drive systemic change in higher education.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a check-in with your organizing team, reviewing weekly work plans and debriefing on actions. You could then facilitate a strategy session with coalition partners or meet with the member fellowship cohort to support their leadership development. Afternoons might involve drafting campaign materials, analyzing data on debt cancellation wins, and planning a direct action or public event. Evenings could include attending a membership meeting or a labor coalition call.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Debt Collective Is Looking For

  • A seasoned labor or community organizer with at least 5 years of experience, including 2 years supervising staff and leading campaigns from start to finish.
  • Deeply committed to structure-based organizing and building member-led power, with a track record of winning tangible victories.
  • Skilled in coalition building, particularly with labor unions, advocacy groups, and student/parent organizations in the higher education space.
  • Excellent communicator and strategic thinker, able to translate big-picture goals into actionable plans and mentor organizers.

📝 Tips for Applying to Debt Collective

1

Highlight specific campaign wins you led from start to finish, detailing your strategy, tactics, and measurable outcomes (e.g., debt canceled, policy changed).

2

Emphasize your experience supervising organizers: describe how you developed work plans, conducted debriefs, and supported staff growth.

3

Show your understanding of debt justice and the Debt Collective's approach: reference their campaigns (e.g., strike debt, free college) and how your experience aligns.

4

Tailor your resume to include language from the job description, such as 'member leadership fellowship,' 'structure-based organizing,' and 'coalitional work.'

5

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your organizing philosophy to the Debt Collective's mission of building a debtors' union, not just a nonprofit.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to member-led organizing and experience building power with impacted communities.', "Specific examples of campaigns you've led that involved coalition building with labor unions or advocacy groups.", 'How you have developed and mentored organizers, including creating systems for accountability and growth.', 'Your vision for advancing student debt cancellation and free college through direct action and policy change.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study the Debt Collective's major campaigns: Strike Debt, Rolling Jubilee, and their recent work on student debt cancellation and free college.
  • → Read their public statements and reports on higher education debt to understand their framing and demands.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their organizational structure as a union of debtors, not a traditional nonprofit, and how member leadership works.
  • → Look into their coalition partners in higher ed, such as labor unions (e.g., AFT, SEIU) and student groups, to understand the landscape.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a campaign you led from start to finish: what was your strategy, how did you involve members, and what was the outcome?
2 How do you approach supervising organizers? Give an example of how you helped a staff member grow or overcome a challenge.
3 What is your experience with coalition work in higher education? How do you balance different stakeholder interests?
4 How do you define structure-based organizing, and how have you applied it in your previous roles?
5 How would you design a member leadership fellowship to develop future organizers while advancing campaign goals?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on policy expertise without demonstrating grassroots organizing experience—this role is about building power, not just advocacy.
  • Using generic nonprofit jargon instead of movement language (e.g., 'stakeholders' vs. 'members,' 'programs' vs. 'campaigns').
  • Not showing a clear understanding of the Debt Collective's unique model as a debtors' union, which is member-led and confrontational.

📅 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 Debt Collective!

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