Chapter Director
Lincoln, NE / Omaha, NE
Chapter – Nebraska Chapter /
Regular - Full Time /
Hybrid
Job Title: Chapter Director
Department: Nebraska Chapter
Location: Flexible/remote withinNebraska. Preference for Lincoln or Omaha.
The position requires the ability to travel.
Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director (supervisor), NE Chapter Executive Committee
Supervises: Chapter Organizer (and/or other 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 Nebraska 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. Evening and weekend work is often required.
Job activities include but are not limited to the following:
- Advise and support the Chapter Executive Committee 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 Chair, 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, and commitment to social justice 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 Executive Committee 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 Nebraska 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 strategies to increase the number of Nebraska members and build a strong outings program. Cultivate and maintain relationships with chapter members, volunteers, and supporters. Oversee and support effective outreach events, workshops, educational programs, and outings to engage the community. Work with local groups and partners to increase community involvement.
- Lobbying and Legislative leadership. Work with the legislative committee to plan, prioritize andconduct or oversee lobbying efforts at the local and state level.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following skills, experience, and capacities:
- 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 any relationship to privilege and power you may experience, 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.
- Issue knowledge. Understanding of environmental and social justice issues that are relevant and important in Nebraska, including public land management, wildlife, and energy; and how these issues may affect Native American, Latine, and other potentially marginalized communities or groups of people in this state.
The strongest candidates will also demonstrate some or all of the following experiences, skills and competencies:
- Familiarity with federal and state of Nebraska public land and wildlife management, conservation and environmental issues, especially: 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, NGP VAN, Hustle, Quorum, 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 officials.
$89,100 - $89,100 a year
Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position is $89,100 annually.
The Sierra Club’s competitive salary package includes excellent benefits with medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.
This is a category 2, exempt, non-represented position.
Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
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 Human Resources 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 diversity.
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.
Applications will be accepted through Thursday, July 24, 2025.
