---
title: 'Chapter Director at Sierra Club'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/chapter-director-sierra-club-portland-wp61s0fkmpzw'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Chapter Director at Sierra Club

- **Company:** Sierra Club
- **Location:** Portland, OR
- **Compensation:** $125k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub/89d37ac4-6dfe-4913-a17b-dccaec8361ab

## Job description

Title: Chapter Director Department: Oregon Chapter Location:Portland, OR (preferred) or remote within Oregon ReportsTo: Deputy Regional Field Director Supervises: Oregon Chapter 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 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 Chapter Director helps develop and carry out the policies, priorities, and objectives of the Sierra Club in Oregon. Programmatic and operations work is done in close partnership with a volunteer Executive Committee and staff. These activities include but are not limited to conservation, political and legislative programs, equity and inclusion, fundraising, volunteer development, member services, administration, budgeting and financial management, media relations, and staff management. 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:

- Fundraising (38%): Leads the Chapter's fundraising with support from the Chapter's fundraising committee and staff. Annually creates fundraising goals, updates the Chapter's fundraising plan, and tracks progress through the fiscal year. A significant portion of their fundraising time will be focused on developing relationships and soliciting high net worth individuals for contributions. The Sierra Club’s fundraising tactics include  significant work with direct mail.

- Staff and volunteer recruitment and management (35%): Leads staff in assigned operational or program areas. Reviews staff performance using solicited input from the Executive Committee, Chapter Chair, and/or others as appropriate. Reviews staff time reports and ensures that these reports are completed in an accurate and timely manner and ensures the Chapter is in compliance with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices. Manages represented and non-represented state-based staff to meet state-based goals. Oversees the recruitment and building of volunteer teams based on programmatic and operational priorities. Ensures pathways for volunteer leadership development. Oversees strategic organizing plan to ensure membership base and volunteers are engaged and effective.

- Strategic Planning and Assessment (10%): Facilitates, contributes to, and prioritizes the development of the Chapter’s short- and long-term strategic, programmatic, and financial goals. All planning activity takes place in coordination with the Executive Committee, relevant Chapter leaders, and the Deputy Regional Field Director. Coordinates with the Executive Committee to implement organizational effectiveness and ensures a mutually respectful and generative process.

- Oversees the implementation of media and public relations (5%): Oversees and implements strategies and effective digital strategy with the Communication staffer and volunteers.

- Engages in outreach and coalition-building (5%): Ensures the Chapter and its leaders participate in meetings, task forces, and events with other aligned organizations. Builds strong relationships with the Chapter’s entities, state and regional community leaders, coalitions, other organizations, elected officials, governmental agencies, etc. Represents the Chapter when appropriate.

- Attends Chapter meetings and regional coordination meetings (3%) as needed. Oversees Chapter Committees and Issue Chairs in the planning and implementation of core conservation efforts and programs.

- Budgeting (2%): With the Chapter Executive Committee and Treasurer, develops a budget and tracks the Chapter's financial performance throughout the fiscal year. Responsible for ensuring staff are expensing their time and other expenses appropriately.

- Organizational Compliance (2%): Oversees Chapter compliance. Ensures compliance with Sierra Club policies, with legal requirements for use of Sierra Club resources among staff, and with Sierra Club’s employment policies and practices. Supports volunteer leaders in ensuring compliance in the broader Sierra Club program. Ensures compliance with all applicable laws (local, state, and national) pertaining to chapter operations.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

- Fundraising experience. Excellent donor relations skills and understanding of the funding community. Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies, and volunteers. A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.

- Budget Development and Management. Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting. Experience navigating multiple funding streams and complex budgets is a plus.

- Skillful and Effective Communicator. Organizational conflict resolution experience and committed communication skills. Track record of supporting diverse individuals and teams to surface and navigate conflict towards generative outcomes.

- Strategic Planning and Assessment: Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategic plans, communicate changes effectively, build consensus, monitor transitions, and evaluate results. Track record of accomplishing these things in ways that develop teams towards stated goals.

- Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. You 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. Exceptional curiosity, critical thinking, and clarity.

- Power building. Experience in grassroots organizing, training, motivating volunteer teams and coalition building.

- Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.

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

- Board and Organizational Governance. Non-profit management and/or Board experience.

- Issue area expertise: Experience in energy, climate, and/or environmental policy. Experience and knowledge of state and federal legislative processes; relationships with media, elected officials, lobbyists. Experience working with marginalized, underrepresented or environmental justice communities.

- Media Skills. Excellent communications skills including media strategy and public speaking. Adept at storytelling, engaging a crowd, and being a media spokesperson.

- Lobbying Skills. Experience building and maintaining relationships with legislators and regulators to advance policy goals.

- Excellent computer skills and familiarity with online databases, communications and productivity tools such as Google Suite, Salesforce, VAN, Hustle, etc.

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.

## About Sierra Club

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Sierra Club is the largest and most enduring grassroots environmental organization in the United States, dedicated to protecting the planet, advancing climate solutions, and ensuring access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization)
- **Headquarters**: Oakland, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1892
- **Founders**: John Muir

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Environmental advocacy, climate action, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
- **Target customers**: B2C – millions of members, donors, volunteers, and grassroots activists; also partners with other nonprofits, campaigns, and mission-aligned companies.
- **Mission / purpose**: “To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.” ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club))

## Products & Services
- **Advocacy & Campaigns**: Grassroots-driven campaigns to retire coal plants, stop pipelines, promote clean energy, protect public lands, and advance environmental justice.
- **Outings & Volunteer Programs**: Over 7,500 trained volunteers lead more than 15,000 trips annually (local hikes to international expeditions).
- **Sierra Club Books**: Publishing imprint for environmental literature.
- **Sierra Student Coalition**: Youth-led climate and conservation network.
- **Sierra Club Foundation**: Separate 501(c)(3) supporting education and conservation.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit). Annual revenue approximately **$152.3M** (LinkedIn estimate, likely calendar 2024). Expenses reported as $84.9M (2025). ([linkedin.com](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub))
- **Key Metric**: Over **1 million members** and a network of local chapters across the U.S.
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not investor-backed; partners include other environmental nonprofits, labor unions, and corporate allies.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew ~4% YoY to 744 employees (LinkedIn); careers page states over 800 staff. The organization is unionized with two labor unions (Progressive Workers Union and Sierra Employee Alliance) representing more than half of employees. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))

## Competitive Advantages
- **Grassroots power**: Over a century of organizing experience; unmatched network of local chapters and trained volunteers.
- **Legacy & trust**: One of the most recognized environmental brands in the U.S., with a proven record of legislative wins (Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, protection of 439 parks and monuments).
- **Unionized workforce**: Strong employee voice and collective bargaining, signaling a commitment to fair labor practices.
- **Integrated equity focus**: Core values of anti-racism, justice, and transformation embedded in the 2030 Strategic Framework.

## Strategic Focus
- **Climate solutions**: Championing the transition away from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and toward 100% clean energy.
- **Environmental justice**: Ensuring that climate and conservation efforts address racial and economic inequities.
- **Grassroots expansion**: Deepening volunteer engagement and building a diverse, inclusive movement.
- **Policy advocacy**: Pushing for federal and state legislation on clean air, safe water, land protection, and public health.

## Why Work Here
- **Meaningful mission**: Direct impact on climate change, conservation, and social justice.
- **Unionized environment**: Over half of staff are represented by two unions; strong protection for workers.
- **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision premiums; 401(k) with match; 20 weeks paid parental leave; generous PTO including extended winter break; sabbatical after 5+ years. ([sierraclub.org](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment))
- **Flexible work options**: Positions listed as remote, hybrid, and on-site depending on role (e.g., Deputy Regional Field Director is remote; Chapter Director is hybrid; Grassroots Coordinator is on-site). ([jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub))
- **Diversity commitment**: Strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
- **Growth opportunities**: Sabbatical program, training, and the chance to work with a national network of passionate activists.

## Sources
1. [sierraclub.org – Careers](https://www.sierraclub.org/careers-jobs-employment)
2. [jobs.lever.co – Sierra Club job board](https://jobs.lever.co/sierraclub)
3. [sierraclub.org – About the Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club)
4. [linkedin.com – Sierra Club company page](https://linkedin.com/company/sierraclub)
5. [sierraclub.org – Massachusetts Careers (benefits detail)](https://www.sierraclub.org/massachusetts/careers)

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