Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Program Director of Movement Infrastructure

at Center for Empowered Politics

🏢 About Center for Empowered Politics

The Center for Empowered Politics (CEP) is a unique organization that builds movement ecosystems led by people of color, focusing on grassroots electoral organizing. It combines capacity-building with a deep commitment to racial and economic justice, offering a chance to work remotely with a mission-driven team amplifying working-class communities of color.

About This Role

As Senior Program Director of Movement Infrastructure, you'll design and lead programs that strengthen the operational backbone of grassroots organizations—covering security, compliance, finance, HR, and governance. Your work directly enables partner groups to focus on basebuilding and power, making this role pivotal for movement resilience and long-term impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a virtual check-in with your Movement Infrastructure Team to prioritize projects, then lead a coaching call with a partner organization on setting up compliant payroll systems. Afternoon could involve designing a curriculum for an upcoming cohort on technology security, followed by reviewing a grant report that tracks infrastructure outcomes.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Center for Empowered Politics Is Looking For

  • A seasoned director with 8+ years in operations and program design within grassroots, labor, or community organizing, not just corporate or nonprofit generalist experience.
  • Deep expertise in at least three areas: finance/accounting, HR, technology, compliance, administration, governance, change management, or organizational development—ideally tied to 501c3/501c4 multi-entity structures.
  • A systems thinker who thrives in coaching and training others, using a power analysis lens to build equitable infrastructure, not just efficiency.
  • Advanced project management skills with experience supervising a team and leading complex, emergent projects in a remote, fast-paced environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Empowered Politics

1

In your cover letter, explicitly name which three infrastructure areas (e.g., finance, HR, tech) you have subject matter expertise in and provide concrete examples from movement organizations.

2

Tailor your resume to highlight director-level leadership in operations and program design, emphasizing multi-entity compliance (c3/c4) and work with BIPOC-led grassroots groups.

3

Demonstrate your coaching and facilitation skills by describing a specific training or cohort you led that improved a partner organization's operations.

4

Show your commitment to racial justice by connecting your past work to building power for working-class communities of color—avoid generic DEI language.

5

Research CEP's website and recent projects (e.g., their movement infrastructure cohorts) to reference specific initiatives in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your experience with both 501c3 and 501c4 compliance and multi-entity strategies, as this is a core need.', 'Highlight your passion for building infrastructure that centers equity and power-building, not just operational efficiency.', 'Describe your leadership style as collaborative and coaching-oriented, with examples of supporting grassroots organizations.', "Express alignment with CEP's mission to deepen participation and leadership of working-class communities of color."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CEP's website, especially their 'Movement Infrastructure' programs and any published resources or reports.
  • → Read about their partner organizations (listed on their site) to understand the types of groups you'd support.
  • → Look for any recent news or blog posts about CEP's work in electoral organizing or infrastructure building.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key compliance issues for c3/c4 organizations, especially related to voter engagement and advocacy.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a cohort program to help grassroots organizations improve their financial compliance? Walk through a sample curriculum.
2 Describe a time you led a change management process in a movement organization—what challenges arose and how did you address them?
3 How do you approach coaching a partner organization that is resistant to adopting new technology or processes?
4 What is your experience with multi-entity structures (c3/c4) and how do you ensure compliance while supporting advocacy work?
5 Given the remote nature of the role, how do you build trust and collaboration with partner organizations and your team?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid focusing on corporate or tech sector operations experience without connecting it to grassroots movements—this role requires movement-specific context.
  • Don't submit a generic cover letter; failing to mention specific expertise areas (finance, HR, tech) or multi-entity compliance will hurt your chances.
  • Steer clear of language that suggests infrastructure is just about efficiency; emphasize equity, power analysis, and supporting BIPOC-led organizations.

📅 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 Center for Empowered Politics!

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