Application Guide
How to Apply for Program Manager
at Civic Nation
🏢 About Civic Nation
Civic Nation is a unique nonprofit ecosystem that operates multiple high-impact initiatives focused on building a more inclusive and equitable America. What makes them distinctive is their integrated approach—they don't just run programs but create entire ecosystems for social change, tackling interconnected issues like democracy, civic engagement, gender equity, racial justice, and economic mobility simultaneously. Someone would want to work here to be part of a coordinated national effort that combines organizing, education, and advocacy across multiple social justice fronts.
About This Role
This Program Manager role specifically manages the ALL IN program's network of higher education institutions, focusing on campus recruitment, onboarding, communications, and engagement around democratic participation. The role is impactful because it directly supports college campuses in strengthening democratic engagement among students—a critical demographic for building long-term civic participation. You'll be organizing voting summits, managing awards programs, and creating digital engagement opportunities that help shape the next generation of active citizens.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning check-ins with campus partners to discuss upcoming voting initiatives, followed by data analysis of campus engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement. In the afternoon, you could be planning logistics for an upcoming regional summit while collaborating with Civic Nation's communications team on digital content to highlight successful campus programs, then ending the day preparing materials for new campus recruitment conversations.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Civic Nation Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of hands-on experience in nonpartisan democratic engagement work, preferably with field organizing experience that includes managing multiple stakeholders or institutions
- Demonstrates at least one year of direct experience working with college students, faculty, or staff in a capacity that shows understanding of higher education dynamics and student engagement strategies
- Shows proven ability to manage both virtual and in-person events (like the regional campus voting summits mentioned) while also handling data management and content creation using relevant tools
- Possesses experience that bridges communications, event planning, and potentially fundraising—someone who can both organize logistics and tell compelling stories about the program's impact
📝 Tips for Applying to Civic Nation
Explicitly connect your experience to ALL IN's focus on higher education democratic engagement—if you've worked with college students on voting initiatives, highlight specific outcomes like increased voter registration or campus partnerships you developed
Show familiarity with Civic Nation's ecosystem approach by mentioning how you've collaborated across multiple initiatives or partners in past roles, since cross-collaboration with hub teams is specifically mentioned in the job description
Include concrete examples of managing institutional networks—not just 'worked with colleges' but describe how you recruited, onboarded, and maintained relationships with multiple campuses simultaneously
Demonstrate your data management and content creation skills by mentioning specific tools you've used (like CRM systems, Canva, or social media analytics) and how you've used data to improve program outcomes
Tailor your application to show understanding of nonpartisan democratic engagement—avoid partisan language and instead focus on process, participation, and institutional strengthening
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your direct experience with college students and higher education institutions, specifically how you've supported democratic engagement or civic participation on campuses", 'Examples of managing complex programs that involve multiple stakeholders, events, and communications—highlighting both strategic planning and hands-on execution', "How your approach aligns with Civic Nation's mission of building an inclusive and equitable America through ecosystem-based change", "Specific achievements in event planning, communications, or data management that directly relate to the ALL IN program's needs (like increasing campus participation or improving engagement metrics)"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore ALL IN's specific programs and initiatives (their website shows past award winners, campus partnerships, and event summaries—understand their current footprint)
- → Study Civic Nation's other hub initiatives (like It's On Us, We The Action, or United State of Women) to understand how they collaborate across the ecosystem
- → Review recent press releases or reports from Civic Nation to understand their current priorities and language around democracy, equity, and civic engagement
- → Look into their higher education partnerships—which colleges are already involved with ALL IN, and what types of activities do they highlight?
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using partisan political language or framing democratic engagement in partisan terms—Civic Nation explicitly focuses on nonpartisan work
- Speaking generically about 'working with students' without providing specific examples of program management, outcomes, or institutional relationships
- Focusing only on one aspect of the role (like event planning) while neglecting to demonstrate experience with the full range of responsibilities including data management, communications, and network management
📅 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!