Job Title: Sierra Club California Director
Chapter: Sierra Club California
Location: Sacramento, CA
Reports To: Sierra Club California Personnel Committee Chair
Supervises: Up to 15 Chapter staff (6 direct reports)
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.
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory advocacy arm for Sierra Club chapters and national campaigns in California. The Sierra Club has chapters in every state and 3.8 million members and supporters. California is unique among states in that it has 13 chapters, representing more than 500,000 members and supporters. Sierra Club California was established in 1986 to help ensure that the Club speaks with one strong voice on statewide environmental policy issues before the legislature and state agencies.
Scope: The Sierra Club California Director is responsible for the strength, functioning, and growth of Sierra Club California, and the sustainability of the organization’s work in California, working to accomplish this with the Chapter Executive Committee, local chapters, and Field Department staff in California. The Director ensures that Sierra Club California is growing a base of supporters statewide, nurturing a network of leaders, building effective campaigns, meaningfully engaging donors, and achieving organizational priorities.
The Director sets programmatic and administrative goals for the organization’s work at the state level in California. The Director develops, implements, and evaluates strategies for Sierra Club California’s operations and advocacy, including fundraising and development strategies to meet financial and program goals, policy positions on state legislation and regulatory processes, and alignment among Sierra Club entities and volunteers in California to reach these goals.
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Job activities include but are not limited to:- Develop and manage California Chapter financial resources:
- Ensure good management of the Chapter’s fiscal resources and timely reporting
- Develop an annual budget of over $1 million that balances c(3) (tax-deductible) and c(4) (non tax-deductible) funds.
- Guide and foresee Chapter budget, staffing, and other resource needs to advance programmatic and other goals.
- Aid in the development and implementation of the Chapter fundraising goals through donations from recurring donors, major donors, foundations, and other sources, providing guidance, support, and oversight to the Chapter’s advancement and communications staff in implementation of that strategy.
- Lead Sierra Club’s work at the state level:
- Monitor, and manage internal relationship building and effective internal communication and alignment across all California chapters, field staff, and volunteers.
- Provide training and motivation to staff and volunteers. Work to develop volunteers and leaders, and ensure that they assume meaningful roles in the Sierra Club.
- Lead collaboration between all Sierra Club entity staff and volunteers (the Field Department, Sierra Club California, Campaign Strategy, Advancement, and the 13 other chapters that include areas within California).
- Grow and maintain communication and relationships with Sierra Club chapters and staff across the state
- Directly supervise and manage Chapter staff:
- Provide appropriate organizational structure and accountability for all staff, reflecting campaign and legislative advocacy needs and individual staff capacities.
- Recruit, hire, and approve staffing decisions for Sierra Club California
- Coordinate staff work to carry out objectives and conduct performance evaluations and personnel actions as appropriate.
- Working with field department leadership, indirectly supervise and manage field staff working on individual campaigns at the state level.
- Oversee strategic and campaign planning and execution:
- Work with the California Legislative Committee, issue committees, and staff to develop the organization's strategic and programmatic goals and objectives in the legislature and state regulatory agencies.
- Work with staff, lead volunteers, and committees to develop, track and achieve campaign priorities.
- Establish teams and ensure accountability on the delivery of shared objectives.
- Consult and advise the California Executive Committee and California chapters as necessary to take official action on administrative, legal, policy, or other issues.
- Oversee communications and external relations:
- Support and manage the Deputy Director and policy team in advocating for the Sierra Club’s legislative and regulatory positions in alignment with State and national policy.
- Develop working relationships and serve as Sierra Club spokesperson and advocate to external organizations, government officials, and the media.
- Support and manage the Communications & Digital Manager and oversee and monitor implementation of communications plans to achieve visibility and narrative building in the media and with the public.
- As needed, participate on task forces, committees, and in coalitions representing the Club's objectives or missions.
- Ensure accountability and compliance:
- Review staff time and expense reports and ensure that the reporting of this information is accurate and timely in accordance with Sierra Club policies.
- Ensure the Chapter’s compliance with financial and tax requirements, political reporting guidelines, lobbying laws, and others.
- Prepare regular reports to the Executive Committee of work activity, major decisions, outreach, and campaign progress.
- Shepherd state’s political program:
- Develop and educate volunteers on state political objectives
- Advise California Political Committee and California Sierra Club PAC and other California entities on political efforts (endorsements, ballot and referendum work)
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.
- 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.
- Strong financial management skills: Including budget preparation, planning, analysis, decision making, and reporting. Fundraising & Donor Relations: Has a history of successfully generating new revenue streams, preferably at a mission-driven not-for-profit organization.
- 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.
- 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.
- Conflict resolution: Demonstrated ability to proactively address and resolve interpersonal and organizational conflicts, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- 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 of managers: Significant supervisory experience including direct management of multiple employees and multiple levels of employees.
- Legislative lobbying and political campaigns: Knowledge and experience navigating and influencing legislative and regulatory processes and/or electoral campaigns.
- Non-profit budgeting: Experience developing and overseeing organizational budgets of $1 million or more in c(3) and c(4) funds at a non-profit organization.
- Issue Expertise: Deep knowledge and background in climate, biodiversity, social justice, and environmental policy.
- Knowledge of California political and environmental landscape: including environmental justice & equity analysis and practice.
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$150,000 - $150,000 a year
Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position is $150,000, 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, 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.
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To Apply
The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.
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