Chapter Director

Title: Chapter Director
Department: Washington Chapter
Location: Seattle, Washington (hybrid). Travel throughout the state will be required.
Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director- Western Region
Supervises: Organizers, Communications Associate (currently 3 staff) 

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Chapter Director is responsible for the development of plans, priorities, and strategies to further the goals of the Sierra Club in WA in conjunction with the Executive Committee and other volunteer leaders, including goals for conservation, political and legislative programs; assuring equity and inclusion; fundraising; volunteer development and member services; administration; budgeting and financial management; and media relations.

The director manages other Chapter staff. The director represents the Washington Chapter and the Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business, community and Tribal partners, donors, allies, other organizations, and the public. Evening and weekend work is required. 

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Facilitates and contributes to the development of the Chapter’s short- and long-term strategic, programmatic and financial goals, in coordination with the Executive Committee, relevant Chapter Committees and staff. Ensures that the Chapter’s work reflects Sierra Club national priorities. Regularly reports to the Executive Committee on progress toward annual goals and budget.
• Responsible for the Chapter legislative lobbying program in Olympia, including coordination with allies and frontline communities, chapter staff and volunteer leaders, regarding Sierra Club positions on legislation. Serves as the lead spokesperson on active legislation or delegates that responsibility as appropriate. Works  with the Legislative Committee and Contract Lobbyist throughout the legislative session to address and adapt policy positions. 
• Responsible for Chapter c(3) and c(4) fundraising including grants, fund appeals, cultivation of major donors and other fundraising activities. Responsible for overseeing the development of an annual fundraising plan and meeting fundraising goals in coordination with development staff and volunteer leaders.
• Responsible for the Chapter’s public communications in coordination with relevant staff and volunteer leaders. This includes regular contacts with the media to maximize the Chapter’s public visibility and credibility. Ensures that an adequate number of knowledgeable and representative spokespersons are available to address the public and the media. Ensures that the Chapter’s digital communications strategy is effective.
• Supports the Executive Committee, and other volunteer committees, in recruiting, onboarding and developing volunteer leadership with diversity of age, race, gender and geography.
• Builds strong relationships for ongoing work together with key leaders statewide. This includes Chapter and group leadership, key statewide public officials and their staff, candidates for office, and a diverse range of organizational,frontline and Tribal community leaders. Represents the Chapter with public officials and community leaders when appropriate.
• Manages Chapter staff. Leads staff in assigned operational or program areas. Writes, conducts, and reviews staff performance appraisals using solicited input from the Executive Committee, Chapter Chair, and/or others as appropriate. Reviews staff time reports and ensures that these reports are completed in an accurate and timely manner in accordance with Sierra Club policies.
• Oversees Chapter compliance. Ensures compliance with Sierra Club policies, with legal requirements for use of Sierra Club resources among staff, and with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices. Supports volunteer leaders in ensuring compliance in the broader Sierra Club program. Ensures compliance with all applicable laws (local, state, and national) pertaining to Chapter operations.
• Regularly attends Chapter Executive Committee meetings. Attends other Chapter and/or Group meetings based on priorities. Is available as needed on weekends and after hours to participate in key meetings with staff, volunteers or others.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience: 

• Leadership experience within complex organizational systems. Proven leadership abilities and organizational management in nonprofit, mission-driven, and/or volunteer-led organizations. Experienced in recruiting, coaching, collaborating with, and inspiring staff and volunteers, including outside of a direct management chain. 
• Grassroots organizing, training, and/or coalition building. In-depth knowledge of the craft of grassroots organizing and commitment to growing the movement for environmental and climate justice. Experience developing strategies to create policy change as well as to create structural and ideological change.
• Fundraising and donor relations.  Experience with non-profit fundraising processes and relationships, including with funders, partner agencies, high-networth individuals, donors, and/or volunteers.
• Excellent communicator. Strong oral and written communication skills. Can effectively communicate the Chapter’s mission and strategic future to staff, Executive Committee, volunteers, donors, public officials, the media, and the public, building cohesion and excitement about shared vision and goals.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Proven success in managing complex work planning and situations, modeling excellent interpersonal communication, fostering team cultivation and mentorship, and working collaboratively to set and achieve common goals. Can give and receive feedback and balance professional skill development with compassionate forms of accountability.
• Budget experience. Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience, skills and competencies: 

• Experienced manager. Significant supervisory experience including direct management of multiple employees and multiple levels of employees.
• Conflict resolution.  Demonstrated ability to proactively address and resolve interpersonal and organizational conflicts, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Conservation advocate. Experience in energy, climate, public lands protection, and/or other environmental policy in WA State.
• Legislative lobbying and political campaigns. Knowledge and experience navigating and influencing legislative and regulatory processes and/or electoral campaigns.
• Ability to bridge the urban-rural divide. Experience and understanding of the varied political dynamics – from progressive blue to more conservative – of the state and ability to develop successful campaigns that address those different needs.
• Cultural Competency:  Sensitivity to the social, economic, and other barriers impacting historically under-represented populations in the state, at the moment of prioritizing and developing short and long term campaign plans/goals.
• Data system competency: Experience with Salesforce and VAN

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $117,000 non-negotiable. 

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 2, non-represented, exempt, managerial position. 

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department  in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.