Chapter Director

Job Title: Chapter Director

Department: Kansas Chapter

Location: Flexible/remote withinKansas.  The position requires the ability to travel.

Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director (supervisor), Kansas Chapter Executive Committee 

Supervises: Possible future Kansas Chapter staff 

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to protect and sustain 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. 

Scope: The Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club was incorporated in 1974 and has been dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability in Kansas for over four decades. With approximately 5,000 members statewide and a total of 23,000 members and supporters combined, the chapter works tirelessly to safeguard wild places, advocate for environmental policies, and engage communities in conservation efforts. We believe in the power of grassroots activism, collaborative partnerships, and informed advocacy to create positive change for the planet and future generations.

The Director of the Kansas Chapter of the Sierra Club is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management to advance the organization's mission of protecting wild places, open spaces, and the quality of life in Kansas. Reporting to the Deputy Regional Field Director and the Kansas Chapter Chair/s, the Director oversees all aspects of chapter operations, including advocacy, outreach, volunteer management, fundraising, and administration. 

The Kansas Chapter Director will spearhead the design and execution of priority campaigns and programs as adopted by the Kansas Chapter Executive Committee. The Director will provide support to the Executive Committee and volunteer committees, manage future Chapter staff, develop and oversee the Chapter budget, coordinate fundraising efforts, and facilitate grassroots outreach and organizational power building initiatives.   

The Kansas Chapter Director collaborates with volunteer leaders to advance the Chapter's strategic goals across the state. This includes spearheading conservation initiatives such as protecting wildlife habitat and mitigating water pollution, engaging in energy projects including advocating for renewables and opposing fossil fuel projects, and championing climate mitigation and resiliency efforts such as sustainable agriculture and urban planning. Throughout these endeavors, the Director remains committed to fostering equity and justice within all aspects of the Chapter's work, ensuring inclusivity and fairness in environmental advocacy and activism.

Working closely with the Chapter Executive Committee, the Director oversees various areas of chapter programs and operations, ensuring alignment with the Sierra Club's mission and values. These assigned areas encompass conservation, political and legislative programs, increasing and engaging with membership,equity and inclusion, fundraising, communications, outings programs, administration, budgeting and financial management, and media relations. This role may entail occasional evening and weekend work to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

In representing the Kansas Chapter and the Sierra Club, the Director interfaces with government officials, the media, business and community leaders, donors, allies, other organizations, Sierra Club membership and the general public. This role requires adept communication and relationship-building skills to effectively convey the Chapter's positions and engage stakeholders in collaborative efforts. The Director may also be required to work evenings and weekends to accommodate various organizational needs and engagements.

Through effective leadership, collaboration, and advocacy, the Chapter Director drives positive change for the environment and communities in Kansas, contributing to the Sierra Club's broader mission of protecting the planet and promoting sustainability for future generations.

• Advise and support the Chapter Board and volunteer committees in adopting annual strategic, programmatic, and financial goals and priorities, and evaluate progress toward objectives throughout the year. Regularly report to the Chapter Board, staff supervisor, and regional and national Sierra Club campaign staff on chapter progress toward program and organizational development outcomes, and seek their input and guidance as programs are implemented and evaluated.
• Leadership and Strategic Planning. Provide visionary leadership to advance the chapter's mission and goals. Develop and implement strategic plans in collaboration with the Executive Committee. Foster a culture of collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the chapter.
• Develop, oversee, and help implement a comprehensive chapter fundraising program.  Working with assigned chapter staff and lead volunteers, identify and meet with individual donors regularly; implement regular and effective donor communications; identify grant opportunities and develop proposals; and support all other fundraising activities. Coordinate with regional and national staff on joint fundraising opportunities.
• Financial Management. Work with the Chapter Treasurerto develop an annual budget and ensure regular financial tracking and reporting to the Board on financial metrics. Develop and manage the chapter's budget in collaboration with the Executive Committee, Sierra Club regional and national offices, including Chapter Finance. 
• Support future staff and volunteer leaders by recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers for various roles within the chapter. Developing and implementing administrative advocacy, volunteer and leadership development, legislative, electoral, and communications strategies that advance the chapter's goals and priorities. 
• Represent Sierra Club Kansas to the public and in the media, building positive relationships and broadening the audience that receives our messages, to increase the chapter's visibility, credibility, and power. Interact with decision makers and influential local and state leaders, and support and coach staff and volunteer leaders to become persuasive spokespeople.
• Coordinate closely with regional and national Sierra Club staff to ensure full integration between the Chapter, regional field structure, communications and digital outreach staff, and national campaign staff. Ensure that chapter strategies comply with Sierra Club policies, guidance, practices, and requirements. 
• Collaboration and Partnership Building.  Work collaboratively with other Sierra Club chapters, organizations, and stakeholders. Build partnerships with community leaders, businesses, academic institutions, grassroots organizations, and other stakeholders to advance shared environmental goals. Represent the chapter in coalitions, alliances, and collaborative efforts.
• Build Organizational Power Through Membership Growth, Engagement, and Outreach.  Develop and manage recruitment key strategies to increase the number of Kansas members and build a strong outings program.  Cultivate and maintain relationships with chapter members, volunteers, and supporters. Organize outreach events, workshops, educational programs, and outings to engage the community. Work with local groups and partners to increase community involvement. 
• Lobbying and Legislative. Work with legislative committee to plan, prioritize andconduct or oversee lobbying efforts at the local and state level.
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned.

• Grassroots organizing. Experience in training and motivating volunteer teams; coalition building and lobbying. Demonstrated ability and effectiveness working collaboratively with volunteers, staff, community and other partner organizations.
• Supervise and Manage Chapter Staff. Provide appropriate organizational structure and accountability for all staff and Team Leaders, 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 and Team Leaders to carry out objectives and conduct performance evaluations and personnel actions as appropriate. Provide professional expertise, guide and support to staff and volunteers. Ensure the chapter is in compliance with Sierra Club employment policies and practices including the Progressive Workers Union contract.
• Fundraising. Prior experience in organizational budget management and fundraising that includes donor relations with major funders, and membership programs to build a broader donor base.
• Communication. Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills. You are comfortable speaking in front of large and small groups, and leading group discussions. You are able to clearly and concisely convey information (both written and verbal), and you can point to examples where you persuaded individuals or groups to take action for a cause. You can articulate the components of a comprehensive communication strategy to support an advocacy campaign. Your personal communication style includes active listening and proactive communication with others to establish shared expectations. When miscommunications occur, you address them promptly and directly.
• Committed to evolution: Commitment to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. You easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Issue knowledge.  Understanding of environmental and social justice issues that are relevant and important in Kansas, including public land management, wildlife, and energy; and how these issues may affect Native American, Latino, and other potentially marginalized communities or groups of people in this state.

• Familiarity with federal and state of Kansas public land and wildlife management, conservation and environmental issues.
• Familiarity with environmental and energy issues, including air and water pollution, public health, coal and gas generation impacts, clean energy, or sustainable/regenerative agriculture. 
• Working knowledge of database, communications and productivity tools such as Salesforce, NPG VAN, Hustle, etc.
• Working knowledge of web design software and social media platforms.
• Experience working with marginalized, underrepresented or environmental justice communities.
• Experience with local, state, or federal advocacy, including lobbying elected officials and advocating with administrative/executive officials.

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.

Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.