Chapter Director, Lone Star Chapter

Context: The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. Our work focuses on championing solutions to the climate crisis; working for clean air, safe water, land protection and a vibrant natural world; fighting for environmental and social justice; and getting people outside to enjoy the outdoors. We have 800 employees located in offices and working remotely across the country. Sierra Club’s employees are changemakers whose work is rooted in our Equity, Inclusion, and Justice values. We are guided by the Jemez Principles to build just relationships with our community partners to co-create a clean energy future. 

Sierra Club is comprised of staff across the country and a network of local chapters that support our grassroots engagement. We are also proud to be a unionized employer - with two labor unions representing more than half of our employees. 

We work with partner organizations, nonprofits, and campaigns to build a diverse, inclusive movement that represents today’s American public. We know that environmental issues can’t be separated from social justice—because we all breathe the same air and share the same land.

The Lone Star Chapter has committed to becoming an anti-racist organization, and is in the early stages of this journey. This long-term process so far includes training on understanding white supremacy and dismantling racism, geared primarily for white-indentifying staff and volunteers, as well as learning about and carrying out actions to support Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) staff, Sierra Club members, and community partners. Our chapter volunteer leadership is predominantly made up of individuals who identify as white and male, while our staff includes more BIPOC people. We want to be upfront that our volunteer leadership and our staff have a lot of work to do on this journey. We are looking for someone who is already on the path to become anti-racist, bringing demonstrated experience working to undo the culture of white supremacy and racism in general in the world and specific to US environmentalism. Building trust and a sense of inclusion for all Sierra Club teams and our partners within Texas will take continued effort to incorporate open and honest examinations of white supremacy culture and racism into the Chapter's ongoing functions.

Scope:

The Chapter Director plays a critical role in ensuring the successful implementation of all programs, policies and initiatives for the Lone Star Chapter. This is done in consultation with the Chapter’s Executive Committee and by developing a strong partnership with their Chapter staff and national campaigns. The Chapter Director participates in planning with the Executive Committee to establish short and long-term priorities and strategies to develop and strengthen the effectiveness of the Chapter. The person in this role leads with an equity lens, believes in coaching and developing their team, and values feedback as a way to reach common goals while being flexible, adaptable and empathetic.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

1. Fundraising and Budget
   • In coordination with the Executive Committee and staff, establish fundraising goals and plans.
   • Work closely with Chapter Development Committee, staff and volunteers to meet the funding needs of Chapter, including the design and implementation of plans to:
     • Reach out to member donors and Chapter groups for their support
     • Cultivate existing and new donor relationships
     • Identify grant proposal opportunities and coordinate the submittal process
     • Balance fundraising needs for c(3) (tax-deductible) and c(4) (non tax-deductible) funds.
2. Leadership and Mentoring
   • Leads staff and manages projects in alignment with organizational mission.
   • Leads Lone Star Chapter office by managing and coordinating with key paid staff to carry out the objectives and delegating as appropriate
     • Recruits, hires and approves staffing decisions as needed with appropriate consultation with both the Executive Committee and Chapter staff.
     • Writes and conducts performance appraisals and takes personnel actions as appropriate.
     • Reviews staff time reports and ensures that the reporting of this information is accurate and timely in accordance with Sierra Club policies.
     • Ensures the Chapter’s compliance with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices, including justice, equity and inclusion principles.
3. Communications
   • Develops and maintains working relationships with external organizations, officials, and the media and represents the Chapter, as appropriate, in publications and interviews.
   • Oversees and monitors implementation of communications plan by the Political and Communications Director which
     • develops contacts with the media to establish and maintain positive relations to maximize the Chapter's credibility and convey positions on issues,
     • strengthens lines of communication with the membership and general public,
     • expands electronic outreach of the Chapter, and
     • enhances Chapter fundraising efforts.
4. Teamwork and Collaboration
   • Communicates effectively with staff.
   • Manages implementation of recommendations approved by the Executive Committee.
   • Monitors the work of the Chapter Conservation and Legislative Director in designing and implementing effective legislative programs and initiatives that reflect the Chapter’s conservation and other policy goals and priorities. Ensures that Chapter actions are coordinated with such programs and initiatives.
   • Prepares regular progress reports to the Executive Committee of work activity, major programmatic decisions, outreach, and financial status.
5. Strategic Planning
   • Works with the Chair, Executive Committee, and Chapter committees and staff to develop the Chapter's short and long term strategic and programmatic goals and objectives and ensures that Chapter staff is informed of goals and objectives.
6. Partnership and Outreach Development
   • Represents the Chapter at meetings and events when appropriate. Builds strong relationships with partner organizations, elected officials, governmental agencies, and other groups in consultation and coordination with appropriate staff.
   • Acts as Chapter liaison with national headquarters staff and ensures that the Chapter actions are in compliance with national requirements.

Additional responsibilities:

1. Consults and coordinates with the Executive Committee as necessary to take official action on administrative, legal, conservation/policy, or other issues.
2. Coordinates with the Chapter Conservation/Legislative, Political and Communications Director and other staff to ensure communication of the Chapter's priorities, policies, objectives, and goals to volunteers.
3. Facilitates the efforts of volunteers to make the Chapter a stable, effective force for conservation.
4. Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

1. Significant non-profit managerial (or comparable leadership) experience that includes substantial experience in development, financial management, strategic planning and managing grassroots policy/advocacy/legislative campaigns, outreach to elected officials and state agencies, media relations, and working with volunteers. Must have leadership and organizational abilities and be capable of encouraging and developing the capabilities of staff and of providing guidance to a volunteer board. This includes experience with the direct supervision of multiple employees.
2. Experience modeling effective equity analysis and practice and have a track record of operationalizing equity, and have embedded justice, equity, and inclusion throughout team/department policies, structures, culture, and programs. Demonstrated cultural competence.
3. Prior experience in fundraising that includes donor relations with major foundations, grant-funded project development and oversight, and membership programs to build a broader donor base.
4. Ability to problem solve, multi-task, and balance competing priorities under pressure and tight deadlines
5. B.A./B.S. degree in Environmental Studies, Political Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience. General knowledge within the environmental field, preferably with more in-depth knowledge of environmental justice issues in Texas and in one or more additional issue areas, such as energy, public health, ecology within Texas. Should have basic familiarity with Texas natural resources, economics, culture, demographics, and social & political landscapes.
6. Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.

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

1. Knowledge of the Texas legislative process.
2. Substantial experience and demonstrated effectiveness working with volunteers.
3. Proficiency in Spanish is desirable, but not required.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $89,000.

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 4 exempt, non-represented, managerial/supervisory 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 Human Resources 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.

To Apply
 

This position does not have an undergraduate education requirement. If you choose to include your education history, please remove your school’s name and city from your resume. You may leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Philosophy”), but please remove any undergraduate and graduate school names. 

This “blind hiring” process is aimed at opening this opportunity to more candidates, reviewing applicants on performance assessments, and mitigating bias in the decision-making process. 

We are accepting applications until July 9, 2021.

Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.