Higher Ed Campaign Director Role at Debt Collective: Remote Organizing Opportunity in 2026

The movement for student debt cancellation and tuition-free higher education continues to gain momentum across the United States and globally. As advocacy efforts expand, organizations focused on economic justice are increasing investments in leadership, organizing, and policy campaigns designed to challenge existing debt systems.

One of the most prominent organizations in this space, Debt Collective, is currently hiring a Higher Ed Campaign Director for a fully remote position open to candidates worldwide. The opportunity offers experienced organizers the chance to lead national campaigns focused on student debt abolition, free college advocacy, and grassroots movement building.

The full-time leadership role is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and offers a salary range of USD 85,000 to 95,000 annually.

Understanding the Higher Ed Campaign Director Position

The Higher Ed Campaign Director will oversee strategic organizing initiatives that support Debt Collective’s mission to eliminate oppressive debt systems and expand access to affordable education.

The role focuses heavily on member-led organizing, campaign development, leadership training, and coalition-building. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with organizers, policy teams, and community members to strengthen the organization’s national higher education campaigns.

This leadership opportunity is particularly suited for professionals with backgrounds in:

• Community organizing
• Labor organizing
• Higher education advocacy
• Grassroots campaign management
• Economic justice movements
• Public policy advocacy

The role is fully remote, allowing candidates from anywhere in the world to apply.

Debt Collective’s Mission and Organizing Strategy

Debt Collective has become widely recognized for its work organizing debtors and advocating for large-scale debt cancellation policies. The organization describes itself as the first debtors’ union in the United States and has played a major role in national conversations surrounding student loan reform.

The organization approaches debt not simply as a financial issue, but as a structural economic and social justice challenge. Through organizing campaigns, public education, legal advocacy, and direct action, Debt Collective has helped secure billions of dollars in debt cancellation across multiple sectors.

Areas of focus include:

• Student loan debt
• Medical debt
• Housing debt
• Payday lending
• Court fines and fees

The Higher Ed Campaign Director will contribute directly to expanding campaigns around student debt cancellation and the push for tuition-free public college systems.

Key Responsibilities of the Campaign Director

The position combines strategic leadership with hands-on campaign management responsibilities. The successful candidate will help coordinate organizers, support member engagement, and strengthen organizing infrastructure.

Campaign Development and Strategy

The director will lead strategic higher education campaigns aimed at increasing public support for debt abolition and free college initiatives.

Core campaign responsibilities include:

• Designing and executing campaign strategies
• Coordinating with organizing staff
• Expanding member-led activism
• Supporting coalition partnerships
• Managing campaign timelines and priorities

The role also requires collaboration with policy teams to align organizing efforts with legislative and advocacy goals.

Leadership Development and Fellowship Management

A major component of the role involves developing future movement leaders through structured training opportunities.

The Campaign Director will:

• Facilitate leadership development programs
• Oversee a new member Fellowship initiative
• Train emerging organizers
• Support long-term activist engagement
• Create systems for member follow-up and retention

Leadership development is central to Debt Collective’s organizing philosophy, which emphasizes empowering directly impacted individuals to lead campaigns.

Staff Supervision and Team Coordination

The role includes supervisory responsibilities for organizing staff working across multiple campaigns.

Management tasks include:

• Creating weekly work plans
• Conducting strategy meetings
• Tracking campaign progress
• Supporting organizer growth and coaching
• Monitoring member engagement systems

Candidates with prior staff management and supervision experience will likely be highly competitive for the position.

Qualifications and Experience Required

Debt Collective is seeking candidates with strong backgrounds in organizing, campaign leadership, and movement-building.

Required qualifications include:

• At least five years of labor or community organizing experience
• Minimum two years supervising staff organizers
• Experience leading successful campaigns
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Understanding of structure-based organizing models

Preferred qualifications include:

• Knowledge of student debt systems
• Familiarity with higher education advocacy
• Experience working within coalitions
• Background in policy and advocacy campaigns

The organization is particularly interested in applicants who can independently manage multiple organizing initiatives while supporting team development.

How to Apply for the Higher Ed Campaign Director Role

Interested candidates can apply directly through Debt Collective’s official website or contact the hiring team via email at jobs@debtcollective.org

Applicants are encouraged to prepare:

• An updated resume or CV
• A tailored cover letter
• Examples of successful organizing campaigns
• Leadership and coalition-building experience
• Relevant advocacy or policy achievements

Applications are due by June 1, 2026.

The Growing Importance of Economic Justice Advocacy

Student debt and higher education affordability remain central policy issues in many countries, particularly in the United States where millions of borrowers continue to face long-term repayment burdens.

Organizations like Debt Collective are helping shape national debates around:

• Student loan forgiveness
• Public higher education funding
• Economic inequality
• Financial justice
• Accessible education systems

As these discussions continue evolving, experienced campaign leaders are becoming increasingly valuable within nonprofit advocacy and social justice sectors.

The Higher Ed Campaign Director position represents a significant opportunity for organizing professionals seeking to lead impactful campaigns while contributing to broader movements focused on economic equity and educational access.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.