Chapter Director

Sierra Club•Lexington, KY

1d•Remote

About The Position

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 700 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. The Kentucky Chapter Director helps develop and carry out the policies, priorities, and objectives of the Sierra Club in the state. This work is done in close partnership with the Executive Committee for the assigned areas of chapter programs and operations. These assigned areas include but are not limited to conservation, political and legislative programs, equity and inclusion, fundraising, volunteer development, member services, administration, budgeting and financial management, and media relations. The director manages other chapter staff. The director represents the Chapter and the Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, donors, allies, other organizations, and the public.

Requirements

Experience in grassroots organizing, training, motivating volunteer teams, coalition building and lobbying.
Budget Development and Management.
Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
Fundraising experience.
Excellent donor relations skills and understanding of the funding community.
Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers.
A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
Skillful and Effective Communicator.
Organizational conflict resolution experience and committed communication skills.
Track record of supporting diverse individuals and teams to surface and navigate conflict towards generative outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategic plans, communicate changes effectively, build consensus, monitor transitions, and evaluate results.
Track record of accomplishing these things in ways that develop leadership and teams towards shared outcomes.
Committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility.
Easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
Uplifting and additive approach, seeing mistakes as opportunities for growth and problems as catalysts for solutions.
Constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness.
Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.

Nice To Haves

Experience navigating multiple funding streams and complex budgets is a plus.
Board and Organizational Governance.
Non-profit management and/or Board experience.
Expertise in the practice of cultural competency and sensitivity to the social, economic, and other barriers impacting minority populations in the state, at the moment of prioritizing and developing short and long term campaign plans/goals.
Issue area expertise: Experience in energy, climate, and/or environmental policy.
Experience and knowledge of state and federal legislative processes; relationships with media, elected officials, lobbyists.
Media Skills.
Excellent communications skills including media strategy and public speaking.
Excellent computer skills and familiarity with online communications and office productivity tools.
Growth Mindset.
Exceptional curiosity, critical thinking, and clarity.

Responsibilities

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 leaders, and the Deputy Regional Field Director.
Develops annual fundraising goals and budget, evaluates Chapter performance, and implements fundraising strategies including direct mail, digital fundraising, events, grant writing, and donor cultivation.
Recruits and builds volunteer teams, ensuring pathways for volunteer leadership development.
Recruits, hires, assigns work to, and manages represented and non-represented state-based staff to meet state-based goals, leading staff in assigned operational or program areas.
Conducts and reviews staff performance appraisals, reviews staff time reports, and ensures compliance with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices.
Oversees Chapter compliance with Sierra Club policies, legal requirements for resource use, and 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.
Coordinates and implements media, public relations, and digital strategies with volunteers and communications staff.
Works with the Executive Committee in the implementation of organizational effectiveness and ensures a mutually respectful and generative process.
Supports the recruitment and retention of volunteer leaders.
Engages in outreach and coalition-building, ensuring Chapter and leader participation in meetings, task forces, and events.
Builds strong relationships with the Chapter’s entities, state and regional community leaders, coalitions, other organizations, elected officials, and governmental agencies.
Represents the Chapter when appropriate.
Attends Chapter meetings and regional coordination meetings as needed.
Assists Chapter Committees and Issue Chairs in the planning and implementation of core conservation efforts and programs.