Deputy Chapter Director

Job Title: Deputy Chapter Director 

Department: Sierra Club California

Location: Sacramento, CA. This position requires an ability to travel. 

Reports To: Chapter Director

Supervises: 3-6 staff 

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 700 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 Deputy Chapter Director of Sierra Club California is a senior leader responsible for advancing the organization’s statewide strategic objectives through policy advocacy, campaign management, and organizational leadership.

This position oversees priority California legislative and regulatory campaigns including water, renewable energy, transportation, industrial decarbonization, forestry, and conservation while ensuring alignment with Sierra Club’s national priorities and 2030 goals. The Deputy ChapterDirector provides strategic planning, staff leadership, cross-organizational collaboration, and operational oversight. This role balances big-picture strategy with the ability to support teams executing day-to-day campaigns in Sacramento’s fast-paced political landscape.

• 1) Team Leadership & Development:
• Supervise, coach, and develop staff (e.g., Policy Strategists, Organizing Managers, Senior Coordinators), ensuring accountability and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive culture that centers equity and justice in all leadership and decision-making.

• 2) Strategy & Program Management:
• Collaborate with the Sierra Club California Director to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans for their specific area of oversight.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of specific campaigns, policy advocacy strategies, or programs, ensuring they align with broader California legislative, regulatory, and organizing goals.

• Lead, with support of policy strategists and the Director, the development and implementation of strategies for Sierra Club California’s operations and advocacy, including policy positions before the California Legislature and state agencies, and alignment among Sierra Club entities and volunteers in California.
• Provide leadership to staff, lead volunteers, and issue committees to develop, track, and achieve campaign priorities in areas such as water, renewable energy, transportation, industrial decarbonization, forestry, and conservation.

• 3) Cross-Organizational Collaboration & Communication:
• Support the Sierra Club California Director in fostering strong internal communication and alignment across California chapters, field staff, and volunteers.
• Facilitate collaboration between Sierra Club California staff, national campaign staff, and volunteers (e.g., Field Department, Campaign Strategy, Advancement, and chapters) to ensure California campaigns are fully integrated into Sierra Club’s national strategy.

• 4) Operational Oversight & Compliance:
• Ensure that all programs and activities within their area of responsibility adhere to organizational standards for policy, financial, operational, and legal compliance, including accurate and timely reporting of staff time and expenses.
• Contribute to resource allocation and capacity building within their domain, including oversight of budgets, grants, and staff capacity.

• 5) External Relations & Advocacy Support:
• As delegated by the Director, develop working relationships and serve as a Sierra Club spokesperson and advocate to external organizations, government officials, and the media within their area of expertise.
• Support and/or lead the policy team in advocating for Sierra Club’s legislative and regulatory positions in California, ensuring alignment with equity and environmental justice priorities.
• Support and manage communications efforts within their purview to achieve visibility and narrative building in the media and with the public, including Spanish-language press where relevant.

• Operationalizing Equity: Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how group dynamics impact supervisory relationships, organizational culture, partnerships, campaigns, and coalition work. Models effective equity analysis and practice, with decision-making consistent, intentional, and committed to creating equitable outcomes.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Proven ability to engage, inspire, and maintain strong transformational partnerships. Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate Sierra Club California’s mission and strategic future.
• Compassionate Team Leader: Track record of recruiting, coaching, collaborating with, and inspiring staff and volunteers, including those outside a direct management chain. Experienced in fostering team cultivation and mentorship, and can give and receive feedback effectively.
• Project Management and Collaboration: Extensive experience with complex project management, from conception through implementation. Highly collaborative and motivated by teamwork, with the ability to work independently.
• Policy & Advocacy Acumen: Knowledge and experience navigating and influencing California legislative and regulatory processes, or demonstrated ability to develop strategies that create policy and systemic change in a fast-moving political environment.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Proven success in managing complex work planning and situations, modeling excellent interpersonal communication, and proactively addressing and resolving conflicts.
• Commitment to Evolution: Committed to continuously deepening and evolving understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. Sees mistakes as opportunities for growth and problems as catalysts for solutions.

• Supervisory Experience: Direct management of multiple employees, with a track record of fostering high-performing, leaderful teams.
• Grassroots Advocacy Background: Experience in a grassroots advocacy organization or similar mission-driven nonprofit.
• California Policy Knowledge: Familiarity with California’s political and environmental landscape, including environmental justice and equity practices.
• Budget Oversight: Experience with nonprofit budgeting and financial oversight, ideally including c3 and c4 funds and budgets of $1M+.
• Strategic Data Use: Ability to analyze data and integrate digital tools to inform campaign strategy, track progress, and drive accountability.

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.