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Job Title: Chapter Director

Department: Florida Chapter

Reports To: Florida Chapter Chair & Deputy Regional Field Director

Location: Flexible within Florida

Supervises: Chapter Political Director, Communications Director, Administrative Coordinator, Senior Organizing Manager, Organizing Manager, and additional positions as necessary

Context: The Sierra Club is the most 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 mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect our natural heritage and to protect public health. We work with partner organizations, nonprofits, and campaigns to build a diverse, inclusive movement that represents today’s public. We know that environmental issues cannot be separated from social justice—because we all breathe the same air and share the same land.

The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club seeks a chapter director to provide organizational leadership and to work in conjunction with its volunteer leaders to carry out the Chapter's policies, programs and operations. The Chapter encompasses the State of Florida (67 counties). The Florida Chapter has about 34,000 members, each of whom belongs to one of 16 groups. The Chapter Director plays a critical role in ensuring the successful implementation of all programs, policies and initiatives for the Chapter. This is done under the direction of the Chapter’s Executive Committee and by developing strong partnerships with Chapter staff and Sierra’s national campaigns. The person in this role must lead the organization through a lens strongly centered on equity, inclusion and justice, believe in coaching and developing the Chapter team of volunteers and staff, and value feedback as a way to reach common goals while being flexible, adaptable, and empathetic.

Scope: The Chapter Director is responsible for ensuring the strength, function and growth of the Florida Chapter as a network of leaders grounded in equity and justice and a base of supporters motivated to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Collaborates with the Sierra Club Florida Chapter Executive Committee to set strategic vision and priorities. Ensures that the Chapter is growing a base of supporters, nurturing a network of leaders, building effective campaigns, meaningfully engaging donors, and achieving organizational priorities. The Director is expected to lead and promote participation among staff and volunteers in order to set internal and external goals, achieve benchmarks, and report on activities by (1) developing recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding short and long term priorities and strategies to strengthen the effectiveness of the Chapter, and (2) collaborating with the Sierra Club’s national staff and programs, and with Florida Chapter volunteers and staff. The Chapter Director serves as the executive leader for all Florida Chapter staff, and as Florida Chapter spokesperson to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, donors, allies and other organizations, and the public as needed. This position requires a valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

  • Develop and Manage Financial Resources: Strengthen existing donor relationships and cultivate new high net-worth donor relationships. Manage donor communications, cultivation and solicitation with support from the Chapter executive committee, fundraising volunteers and national advancement staff, as appropriate. Plan and implement effective fundraising strategies that reflect Chapter’s needs and priorities, working with the staff and volunteer leaders to establish fundraising goals and execute annual and multi-year fundraising plans. Oversee the development of consistent and timely donor engagement, cultivation and solicitation processes. Ensure good management of the Chapter’s fiscal resources and timely reporting to the Executive Committee and national Sierra Club. Develop an annual budget with input from Chapter Treasurer, committees, and others. Work with the Chapter Treasurer to balance fundraising needs for c(3) (tax-deductible) and c(4) (non tax-deductible) funds. Guide the Chapter on budget, staffing, contracting and other resource needs to advance its conservation and other goals.
  • Lead the Florida Chapter in Collaboration with the Executive Committee: Foster a shared sense of purpose across the chapter. Mentor, monitor and manage internal relationship building across staff and volunteers. Strengthen and communicate a chapter-wide vision on an ongoing basis. Provide training and motivation to staff and volunteers. Work to develop volunteers and leaders, and ensure that they assume meaningful roles in Sierra Club. Navigate the demands of an increasing organizational hierarchy. Lead collaboration between Florida staff and volunteers and the Field Department or other Sierra Club entities. Improve and maintain relationships with Sierra Club groups across Florida. Coordinate with Chapter committees and staff to ensure consistent and effective internal communication across all Florida staff and volunteers.
  • Supervise and Manage Chapter Staff: Provide appropriate organizational structure and accountability for all staff, reflecting campaign needs and individual staff capacities. Recruit, hire, and approve staffing decisions as needed with appropriate consultation with both the Executive Committee and Chapter staff, including managerial positions that report to the Chapter Director. Coordinate staff to carry out objectives and conduct performance evaluations and personnel actions as appropriate. Provide professional expertise, guide and support to staff and volunteers.
  • Oversee Strategic & Campaign Planning and Execution: Work with the Chapter Chair, Executive Committee, Chapter committees and Chapter staff to develop the Chapter's short and long term strategic and programmatic goals and objectives. Ensure the implementation of, updates to, and reporting on the Chapter’s strategic plans. Work with staff, lead volunteers, and committees to develop, track and achieve campaign priorities. Establish project teams and ensure accountability on the delivery of shared objectives. Foster integration across staff and volunteer efforts and develop teams to meet organizational priorities. Track and report implementation of strategic and campaign plans. Ensure strategic alignment across campaign plans, coach staff and volunteers in strategic planning approaches, and otherwise manage all organizational development aspects represented with strategic planning and implementation. Manage implementation of recommendations approved by the Executive Committee. Consult with the Executive Committee as necessary to take official action on administrative, legal, conservation/policy, or other issues. Monitor the Chapter’s legislative and political staff in designing and implementing effective legislative programs that reflect the Chapter’s conservation and other policy goals.
  • Strengthen Communications and Serve as Spokesperson: Advocate for the Sierra Club’s position in alignment with Chapter and national policy. Serve as Sierra Club spokesperson and advocate to external organizations, government officials, and the media in alignment with Chapter and national policy as needed. Oversee and monitor implementation of communications plans by the Political and Communications Directors to achieve relationships visibility and narrative building in the media and with the public. Develop and maintain working relationships with external organizations, officials, and the media and represent the Chapter as needed. Build strong relationships with partner organizations, elected officials, governmental agencies, and other groups in consultation and coordination with appropriate staff and volunteers. As directed, participate on task forces, committees, and in coalitions representing the Club's objectives or missions. Oversee a strategic approach to narrative building and monitor ongoing communication. Establish and enhance partnerships with organizations that align with Sierra Club values for social justice, conservation and political outcomes.
  • Ensure Accountability & Reporting: 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 Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices, including justice, equity, and inclusion principles. Act as Chapter liaison with national staff and ensures that the Chapter actions are in compliance with national requirements. Ensure the Chapter’s alignment, collaboration and integration with national teams and priorities, as well compliance with Sierra Club policies and practices. Prepare regular reports to the Executive Committee of work activity, major decisions, outreach, and campaign progress.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

  • B.A./B.S. degree in a policy, environmental, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated understanding of Sierra’s organizational mission.
  • Demonstrated cultural competence and a commitment to incorporating principles of social justice, equity, and inclusion (e.g., Jemez Principles), working effectively with diverse personalities, both on an individual level and in a committee setting.
  • Prior experience in organizational budget management and fundraising that includes donor relations with major funders, and membership programs to build a broader donor base.
  • Proven ability to lead, plan and manage grassroots policy/advocacy/legislative campaigns and develop volunteer leaders
  • Exceptional management skills, including proven ability in managing managers and improving performance

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

  • Proficiency in Spanish.
  • Proven leadership and organizational trouble-shooting abilities, encouraging and developing the capabilities of staff and providing guidance to a volunteer board.
  • Demonstrated communication skills, including written material, public speaking and media presentation ability, effective television and radio presence, knowledge of media technologies.
  • Demonstrated emotional intelligence and an ability to build trust and work effectively with staff and volunteers.
  • Ability to appropriately frame and leverage the Chapter’s political strength in various contexts, including coalitions.
  • Knowledge of the unique cultural and political environment of Florida, including environmental justice and more than one of the following: water policy, public lands policy, energy, public health, growth management, wildlife, or coastal resources.
  • Proven ability to operate at the intersection of the environment and marginalized communities, and a commitment to personal growth regarding equity and inclusion.
  • Extensive management experience, including direct supervision of multiple employees as well as coordination and oversight of multiple layers of project and organizational management.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $100,000 - $110,000.

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 and professional 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.

To Apply

Please submit your resume here.

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.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.