Michigan Director (Campaigns Department)

About Us

Heavy industry is the foundation of modern society. We need materials like cement, steel, and aluminum more than ever to rebuild our bridges and roads, construct wind and solar projects, and manufacture electric vehicles and heat pumps that will undergird our future. But industry needs a second revolution. For as much as industry made the middle class and ushered in a remarkable era of prosperity for many, it also threatens our climate, reinforces environmental racism, wastes valuable materials and energy, and leaves communities and workers behind.

At Industrious Labs, our mission is to set into motion unstoppable policies, people power, and analysis to make a triple impact on climate, justice, and jobs that drastically reduce dangerous emissions, make industry accountable to communities and workers, and develop a circular economy.

About the Position

We seek a strategic, entrepreneurial leader to launch and grow our state-level work in Michigan. This new role is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about power-building, savvy about politics, and ready to take on the challenge of transforming industry to serve workers, communities, and the planet.

The State Director will shape and drive campaigns, represent Industrious Labs with key partners and policymakers, and build a durable program that delivers lasting change. You’ll work closely with internal teams to align policy, organizing, and communications strategies while building out a team and presence in the state. You’ll report to Evan Gillespie, Partner and Campaigns Director.

This public-facing role best suits someone based in Michigan with deep knowledge of the local landscape and strong existing relationships.

Michigan has a rich history of manufacturing and industry. It operates a large steel mill, cement plants, paper mills, and more. It has bold climate ambitions but also requires work across party lines and with numerous stakeholders with very different interests. Success requires a leader with strong persuasion skills who can build diverse coalitions while maintaining clarity about how to make progress that moves us closer to our long-term vision and goals. 

What You’ll Do

In your first year, key responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with campaign leads to identify high-impact policy and campaign opportunities.
• Finalizing stakeholder and power maps in collaboration with our Field Building team.
• Building relationships with key allies and developing strategic alliances with stakeholders across the spectrum.
• Designing integrated campaign strategies rooted in firm policy and power analysis.
• Supporting existing state efforts that advance jobs, justice, and climate goals in the industrial sector that build momentum toward longer-term outcomes
• Leading fundraising efforts to grow the state program and team.

You’ll also:

• Represent Industrious Labs in coalition spaces, with media, and in conversations with public officials and funders.
• Lead the development and execution of state-level campaign strategies.
• Develop policy expertise in key sectors like steel, cement, and industrial heat, as well as climate, labor, and air quality policy.

Who You Are

You're committed to Industrious Labs’ mission and values, with the leadership chops to build something meaningful in Michigan. You’re a strategic thinker, strong collaborator, and skilled campaigner who can work across lines of difference and lead with humility and purpose.

Core Qualifications:

• 10–15 years of experience with increasing responsibility leading teams and driving shared goals.
• Background in policy development, organizing, or leadership within advocacy or movement spaces.
• Experience designing policy campaigns and using tools like power mapping, strategy charts, or narrative development.
• Strong familiarity with how state and local agencies and venues function.
• A relationship-builder with ties to grassroots groups, labor, EJ communities, policymakers, and other key players in Michigan.
• Proven track record of delivering policy wins and moving ideas from strategy through implementation.
• Strong project management skills and the skills to juggle priorities.
• Experience managing staff and developing teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with and tailoring strategies to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including labor, community organizations, businesses and associations, climate groups, and more.
• Comfortable in a matrixed environment and skilled at cross-functional collaboration
• You’ve got opinions, not an ego — someone who can lead big work and still laugh at your own typos.
• Scrappy and resourceful, with a bias toward action and a "figure it out" mindset.
• Entrepreneurial spark — you’ve built things before and thrive in fast-growing environments.

Industrious Labs Core Qualifications:

These are shared across all roles at Industrious Labs:

• Deep alignment with our mission, values, and goals.
• Highly collaborative work style and service as a peer and thought partner.
• Commitment to learning, curiosity, and personal growth.
• Strong communication skills — able to break down complex issues into clear strategies and decisions.
• Excited by the unknown and eager to build.
• Proven leadership and commitment to equity, transparency, and team culture.
• Demonstrated experience working across lines of race, class, gender, and geography
• Skill within a dynamic, fast-paced environment and moving between solo efforts and teamwork.
• Openness to giving and receiving compassionate, direct feedback.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary for this position is $152,000. Industrious Labs has a policy not to negotiate salaries. Rather than rely on negotiation, we offer transparent pay aligned with experience, responsibilities, and organizational values.

We offer competitive benefits, including 100% employer-paid health coverage (medical, dental, and vision), a work-from-home stipend, up to 5% 401k employer match, 11 paid holidays, and unlimited vacation (with a minimum of 15 business days).

Our Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Climate Justice:

We believe diversity isn’t just a value — it’s essential to solving the climate crisis. If you’re excited by this job, even if your experience doesn’t match every bullet point, we hope you apply. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds and with skills that may be transferable. Industrious Labs is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equity in hiring, advancement, and workplace culture. If you need accommodations during the application process, contact Heather Beckford at heather@industriouslabs.org.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter that answers the following:

• What attracted you to this position?
• How do you describe power? How have you built power with others?
• Have you led or contributed to a successful advocacy campaign in Michigan? Briefly tell us the story and your role.

We will also ask you to please also summarize your answers to these questions in the job application, in addition to addressing your points in the cover letter. 

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting immediately. The process typically includes a phone screen, panel interviews, and a thought exercise. Our searches usually take 3–4 months.