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

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.

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 Chapter Director 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…