Application Guide
How to Apply for Michigan Director (Campaigns Department)
at Industrious Labs
🏢 About Industrious Labs
Industrious Labs stands out for its data-driven approach to climate advocacy, specifically targeting industrial sectors like steel and cement that are often overlooked in climate conversations. Unlike broader environmental organizations, they focus on transforming heavy industry through community-focused campaigns that integrate jobs and justice with climate goals. Working here means being at the forefront of a specialized, impactful niche where data meets grassroots organizing.
About This Role
As Michigan Director, you'll lead state-level campaigns to decarbonize Michigan's industrial sector while advancing jobs and justice. This role involves building strategic alliances across stakeholders, designing data-rooted campaign strategies, and fundraising to grow the state program. You'll directly impact climate policy in a key industrial state, making this a high-leverage position for someone passionate about industrial transformation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with Michigan-based allies to coordinate campaign tactics, analyzing policy developments in industrial sectors, and refining power maps with the Field Building team. You could spend afternoons drafting fundraising proposals for the state program and representing Industrious Labs in coalition calls, balancing strategic planning with relationship cultivation.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Industrious Labs Is Looking For
- Has 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in advocacy, with proven success in coalition-building and campaign design using tools like power mapping
- Possesses deep familiarity with Michigan's state/local agencies and established relationships with grassroots groups in the state
- Demonstrates expertise in industrial sector policy (steel, cement, industrial heat) and can bridge climate, labor, and air quality issues
- Is both a strategic thinker who can develop campaign plans and a relationship-builder who can represent the organization with funders, officials, and media
📝 Tips for Applying to Industrious Labs
Quantify your 10-15 years of leadership experience with specific examples of team management and campaign outcomes in advocacy/movement spaces
Highlight your Michigan-specific knowledge by mentioning relevant state agencies, local venues, or grassroots connections in your application materials
Demonstrate your industrial policy expertise by referencing specific sectors mentioned (steel, cement, industrial heat) rather than general climate experience
Show how you've used power mapping or strategy charts in past campaigns—consider including a brief example in your cover letter
Emphasize your fundraising experience for state-level programs, as this is explicitly mentioned as a key responsibility
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with Michigan's political landscape and relationships with state/local stakeholders", "Examples of successful campaign strategies you've designed using power analysis or similar tools", "How you've built alliances across diverse stakeholders (grassroots groups, labor, policymakers) in past roles", "Your vision for advancing both climate goals and jobs/justice in Michigan's industrial sector"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Industrious Labs' existing campaigns and reports on industrial sectors (check their website and publications)
- → Michigan's industrial landscape—key facilities, employment data, and current climate/industrial policies
- → Stakeholders in Michigan's climate/industrial space (e.g., Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, United Auto Workers, state agencies)
- → The organization's emphasis on 'jobs, justice, and climate'—how they operationalize this intersection
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with only federal or international policy experience without demonstrating state/local expertise
- Focusing solely on climate science without showing campaign strategy or organizing skills
- Using generic environmental advocacy examples instead of industrial sector or Michigan-specific experience
📅 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 Industrious Labs!