Context: Plans, directs and manages regional strategy, policy, staff, etc. of the Eastern Region for the Beyond Coal Campaign, encompassing approximately twenty states and Puerto Rico. Responsible for collaborating with national staff and volunteers to ensure tight coordination and alignment of regional strategy with national strategy and performance of designated campaign outcomes. Provides leadership in support of a collaborative campaign culture that affirms and centers equity, justice, and inclusion as it meets ambitious climate outcomes and organizational goals.
Responsible for managing campaign support for Sierra Club positions on local, regional, and national issues and providing volunteer support services.
Scope: The Eastern Regional Campaign Director is responsible for the planning and direction of all staff activities and financial resources to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Sierra Club’s climate campaigns as assigned for the Eastern Region, to deliver defined greenhouse gas reduction outcomes and build transformational power for equitable solutions. Develops strategies, creates regional work plans, establishes priorities and benchmarks, oversees and supports state-based plans, provides leadership, evaluates campaign effectiveness and manages budgets. Manages day-to-day operational aspects of regional campaign. Conducts and coordinates training for volunteers and staff and provides strategic advice. Represents the Sierra Club to government officials, the media, business and community leaders, allies and other organizations, and the public. Manages and directs regional and state-based campaigns and provides advice and guidance from regional experience for the national Beyond Coal campaign. Develops fundraising proposals and participates in fundraising activities and donor relations.
- Creates and implements a highly strategic regional campaign plan to advance the objectives of the Beyond Coal Campaign. Collaborates with Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program, Chapters, Communications Department, Organizing and Digital Strategies Capacities, Political Team, Sierra Student Coalition, Sierra Club’s programs including but not limited to Environmental Justice, Labor, Partnerships, and volunteer leadership to ensure execution of strategic coordinated state-based campaigns equitably moving states off of coal and gas to renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, and other climate mitigation outcomes as assigned. Supports the success of the Clean Energy For All initiative. Collaborates with other Sierra Club energy and climate campaigns, including Beyond Dirty Fuels, Ready For 100, and Clean Transportation For All.
- Manages Beyond Coal Campaign staff in the Eastern region. Manages (directly and indirectly) assigned campaign staff in other Sierra Club climate campaigns in the Eastern Region. Activities include recruiting and hiring for equity, diversity, and excellence, establishing priorities and assisting in work planning, preparing and conducting performance reviews, and providing on-going staff development opportunities.
- Ensures strategic engagement of key environmental justice and other frontline community-based organizations in the region, key regional labor organizations, state/regional power generation stakeholders, state/regional elected and appointed decision makers, and executives in the renewable energy and efficiency industries to assure advancement of Sierra Club’s priorities.
- Models and implements Sierra Club best practices regarding the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing, justice, equity, and inclusion.
- Supports Sierra Club’s power building goals by ensuring campaign strategies and activities are designed to build a base of leaders and increase and deepen strategic partnerships. This includes, but is not limited to ensuring Sierra Club participates in strategically aligned coalitions and coalition efforts. Works to ensure that volunteers assume meaningful roles in the program/campaign.
- Demonstrated ability to take responsibility and work independently, as well as participate in a team. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships based on mutual respect and accountability. Manages themselves and team with clarity of expectations, while creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, learning, and modeling leadership that works in the best interests of the Sierra Club as a whole.
- Supports and provides senior-level professional subject matter expertise to local, regional, and national conservation volunteers and staff. Writes, edits, and reviews educational and advocacy materials.
- Analyzes coal, gas and clean energy policies and sector trends. Presents Sierra Club positions to the general public, media, decision-makers, and strategic allies.
- Manages and monitors regional campaign resources and expenses. Provides analysis and support of budget and monthly re-forecasts.
- Communicates and collaborates with other Regional Campaign Directors to identify opportunities for collaboration, support national Campaign efforts, and share best practices. Leads cross-region special project teams as assigned.
- Works in collaboration with Advancement to plan and execute fundraising plan. Collaborates on creating grant proposals, donor solicitations and building donor relationships.
- Evaluates and reports on progress toward campaign goals and objectives; establishes metrics for campaign progress.
- Serves as a member of the Beyond Coal Management Team, providing advice and guidance on Campaign strategies, tactics, resources and operations, and responsible for Campaign outcomes within their designated regions.
- Introduces creative ideas and approaches for consideration.
- Frequent travel is expected in this role.
- Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.
- 5 - 8 years experience in the strategic planning and implementation of campaigns, preferably in the electric sector, either at Sierra Club or with another organization, which includes substantial experience with program/employee management; planning and managing a national level campaign including strategy, organizing, media, fundraising, budget planning and management; and work with senior-level political and business leaders.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience in developing, training and coaching employees, including high-level staff.
- Demonstrated familiarity with and commitment to incorporating principles of justice, equity, and inclusion into campaign process and outcomes. Demonstrated cultural competence.
- Demonstrated effectiveness as a major gift fundraiser.
- Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.
- Substantial experience, demonstrated skill and ability, in local and regional media relations. Includes effective television and radio presence and knowledge of media technologies.
- Expert knowledge within the environmental field, which includes in-depth knowledge and background in coal, gas and clean energy issues.
- Sense of humor, patience, strong emotional intelligence, and demonstrated ability to create rapport and inspire trust.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with volunteers.
- Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance required.