Application Guide

How to Apply for National Organizing Department (NOD) Organizing Manager

at Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

🏢 About Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is unique as a national organization specifically focused on mobilizing white people to join multiracial movements for racial and economic justice. Unlike many racial justice organizations, SURJ works explicitly to build the 'white flank' of these movements through local chapters and base building projects, creating a distinctive approach to dismantling white supremacy.

About This Role

As the NOD Organizing Manager, you'll lead strategy and execution for SURJ's national organizing programs while managing department staff and ensuring cross-departmental coordination. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how SURJ builds white support for racial justice campaigns, translating organizational vision into concrete organizing plans that mobilize members across the country.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning check-ins with NOD staff to review workplans and campaign progress, followed by strategy sessions to develop program proposals. Afternoons could include cross-departmental meetings to coordinate national campaigns, coaching sessions with team members, and administrative tasks like reviewing timesheets or budget reports, all while maintaining focus on how each activity advances racial justice organizing goals.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of campaign organizing experience specifically focused on racial and economic justice issues, not just general activism
  • Demonstrates experience managing both staff and volunteers in social justice contexts, with proven ability to develop internal systems and processes
  • Can point to specific examples of designing and leading teams through complete campaign cycles (planning, execution, evaluation) with measurable outcomes
  • Understands the unique challenges and opportunities of organizing white people for racial justice, not just general community organizing

📝 Tips for Applying to Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

1

Quantify your organizing impact: Instead of saying 'managed volunteers,' specify how many volunteers you recruited/trained and what campaigns they supported

2

Highlight any experience with 'base building' specifically, as this is mentioned in SURJ's description and is a distinct organizing approach

3

Demonstrate understanding of SURJ's specific theory of change by referencing their focus on building 'the white flank of multiracial majorities' in your materials

4

Include examples of managing both personnel AND budgets in social justice contexts, as both are explicitly mentioned in requirements

5

Show how you've handled 'constituent relations' in previous roles, particularly in managing relationships between different stakeholder groups in movements

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience organizing specifically on racial justice issues and how it prepares you for SURJ's unique focus on mobilizing white people", 'Specific examples of managing complex organizing projects from strategy to evaluation, highlighting both campaign outcomes and team development', "How you've developed internal systems and processes that improved organizing effectiveness in previous roles", "Your understanding of SURJ's approach and why their specific theory of change resonates with your organizing philosophy"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → SURJ's current campaigns and programs (check their website and recent communications)
  • → The organization's history and evolution, particularly their development of the 'white flank' theory of change
  • → Recent statements or positions SURJ has taken on specific racial justice issues
  • → How SURJ chapters operate differently in various regions (if information is available)
Visit Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a racial justice campaign you organized from planning through evaluation, including how you managed team dynamics and measured success
2 How would you approach developing organizing strategy for SURJ's national programs given their focus on building white support for multiracial movements?
3 Share an example of how you've handled a challenging personnel situation while maintaining team morale and organizing momentum
4 What systems have you implemented to improve volunteer recruitment, training, or management in previous roles?
5 How do you balance the need for national strategy with supporting local chapter autonomy and initiative?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic social justice language without demonstrating specific understanding of SURJ's unique approach to organizing white people
  • Focusing only on general management experience without connecting it to organizing contexts and racial justice work
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of both campaign outcomes AND team development/supervision in previous roles

📅 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 Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)!

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