Chapter Director

Job Title: Chapter Director

Department: North Carolina Chapter 

Location: Hybrid based in Raleigh, NC. Must be willing to travel; on site 1-2 days per week in Raleigh. 

Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director  

Supervises: Chapter Staff

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of togetherness. 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 inequity, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our democracy. 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 is comprised of staff across the country and a network of volunteer leaders and 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.

Scope: The director helps develop and carry out the policies, priorities, and objectives of 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, 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 North Carolina Chapter and the Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, donors, allies, other organizations, and the public. Evening and weekend work is often required. 

Job Activities include but are not limited to:

• Develops the Chapter’s short- and long-term strategic goals. Works with volunteer leadership including the Chapter Chair, Executive Committee and Chapter Committees to assess needs, identify available resources, develop and implement the Chapter's short and long term strategic objectives. 
• Financial Management. Responsible for the Chapter’s financial health. Plans and drafts annual operations and program budgets. Works with the national finance team and Chapter bookkeeping staff to manage revenue and expenses. Provides regular financial reports to the Executive Committee.
• Fundraising and Donor Cultivation. Ensures adequate resources are available to support strategic goals. Prioritizes Chapter fundraising efforts by soliciting major and planned gifts, managing direct mail appeals, and ensuring that program staff have direct engagement with donors. Collaborates with the national Advancement team on fundraising initiatives, to maintain donor relationships, identify and secure new donors, and secure foundation grants as needed.
• Plans and implements programming. Responsible for chapter programs and outcomes. Works closely with and is responsive to the Chapter and Group volunteer leadership to ensure that programs reflect Chapter priorities and volunteer input. Ensures close coordination between policy, organizing, lobbying, and communications staff during program implementation. Responsible for maintaining a robust political program that works with volunteer leaders to endorse and support candidates for public office, and to raise Chapter PAC funds. Coordinates with members of the national political team to ensure that chapter strategies align with national campaigns and priorities in North Carolina, and follow compliance guidelines. 
• Engages in coalition-building and advocacy. Attends and facilitates meetings, task forces, and events. Builds strong relationships with other groups and partners, elected officials, governmental agencies, conservation, social justice organizations and other constituencies working on a wide range of environmental and environmental justice issues. Lobbies and otherwise represents the Chapter to elected officials. 
• Coordinates media and public relations efforts. Responsible for an effective communications program. Coordinates with communications staff to maximize the Chapter's credibility and elevate its profile and positions on key issues. Develops and maintains contacts and positive relationships with the media.
• Supports the Executive Committee & Volunteer Engagement. Convenes and provides staff support for Chapter Executive and other committees as needed. Responsible for timely reports to ensure that the Executive Committee and other leaders are informed of major programmatic developments and outcomes. Provides leadership and holds volunteers accountable. Collaborates with organizing staff to recruit and motivate volunteers to become effective issue advocates and leaders in the organization. 
• Manages Chapter Staff and Contractor Relationships. Maintains a positive work environment. Recruits and hires staff with input and support from volunteer leadership.  Manages staff and engages contractors as needed to carry out the objectives of the Chapter. Writes and conducts performance appraisals and takes personnel actions as appropriate. Ensures compliance with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices. Supports and enriches staff, acting as a leader who can articulate vision while balancing personal needs, professional skills/training/goals, and volunteer relationships. Responsible for timely and accurate staff time reports.
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Grassroots power-building. Proven leader with experience in nonprofit management, grassroots organizing,  lobbying, public relations, and/or fundraising.  
• Volunteer Leadership Development. Experience working for volunteer-driven organizations; ability to develop cohesion among staff and volunteer leaders.
• Budget Development and Management. Experience in organizational financial management; skilled at managing personnel and budgets, and developing and implementing fundraising strategies to ensure adequate financial resources.   
• Program Management. Ability to oversee multiple programs, campaigns and administrative tasks; balance competing priorities, and delegate work as needed to empower staff and ensure smooth workflows.
• Communication. Strong written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking ability.
• Commitment to Evolution. A proven track record of understanding systems of oppression and a commitment to continuously deepening your study and learning, as well as experience operationalizing belonging, dignity, and justice throughout team/department policies, structures, culture, and programs. Additionally, you recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• As a member of the state leadership team, this individual is expected to have a focused and sustained attention towards calling out and challenging systems, policies, practices, and/or procedures that have racist or discriminatory effects.
• Willingness and openness to listen to Union member concerns.

Strong Candidates will bring the following characteristics and/or experiences:

• Knowledge and background in a broad array of environmental issues, including environmental injustice. Familiarity with North Carolina issues.
• Prior experience and knowledge of the legislative process and electoral politics.
• Proven track record helping to lead collaborative efforts across diverse communities.
• Understand and appreciate Sierra Club’s mission to  “Explore, Enjoy, Protect.”
• 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.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $117,000.

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 2 exempt, non-represented, 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 belonging.