Campaign Organizing Strategist

Job Title: Campaign Organizing Strategist Department: Energy Campaigns Location: California, Remote Office. This position requires an ability to travel.  Reports To: Deputy Director - Industrial Transformation 

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 Campaign Organizing Strategist is responsible for designing the campaign organizing component of strategic planning in collaboration with manager and Chapter Directors. The Campaign Organizing Strategist supports the planning and coordination of campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power to accomplish Sierra Club priorities, which are: to address climate disruption, transform the energy economy, protect communities from pollution, ensure access to the outdoors for all and protect our lands, water and wildlife. The Chapter is a crucial partner for the Campaign Organizing Strategist to successfully carry out strategic plans. The Campaign Organizing Strategist works closely aligned with volunteers, partners, and staff across states, while harnessing all of the strategic levers of Sierra Club including legal, communications, digital strategies and subject matter/campaign expertise. The Campaign Organizing Strategist coordinates and guides the team of organizers and volunteer teams, ensuring successful implementation of campaign goals, and robust collaboration in alignment with and supported by the manager. The Campaign Organizing Strategist will work with state leadership to develop state based, regional,and local strategies, coordinate implementation plans with the field teams, communicate priorities and track metric benchmarks. The Campaign Organizing Strategist provides leadership to volunteer and staff organizers in the state(s), fosters volunteer leadership and shapes the leadership ladder, participates to produce educational materials, presentations and reports, research, testifies, lobbies and develops subject matter expertise on relevant topics. The Campaign Organizing Strategist is empowered to represent the Sierra Club to government officials, the media and other organizations, including coalition spaces.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Campaign Strategy and Implementation: Works closely with the manager, Chapter Director and Campaign teams to design the creation of state or multi-state strategic planning, and facilitates the organizing strategy, balancing national and state Sierra Club priorities. Works to incorporate key state and chapter stakeholders, including volunteers, to create and implement a campaign of the overarching strategic plan. This includes leading the creation of multi-issue state campaign plans, organizing tactics, conducting or overseeing research, developing engagement strategies, facilitating organizing meetings, volunteer integration, and developing and leveraging partnerships. Tracks policy and regulatory proceedings in the state that are relevant to a specific campaign, identifies opportunities for engagement, mobilization, or intervention. Ensuring that campaigns are rooted in equity and justice and inclusive of frontline and directly impacted communities. May be asked to consult or support on budget, fundraising, and large scale strategic planning.

• Campaign Team Leadership. Creates a state (or multi-state) campaign team space to support and coach organizers, track campaign progress, and create a positive team culture with the support and guidance of the manager. Guides team members to develop campaign plans to achieve outcomes in the state. Ensures that organizers have access to resources and uses expertise to support the training team to develop and facilitate training on the craft of organizing and key campaigning skills. Supports organizers to effectively deliver on grassroots campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power of Sierra Club. Works with the Campaign team to determine and track metrics and progress towards campaign goals, provides metric guidance and support.

• **Collaboration.**Builds a healthy, mutually accountable relationship with Chapter staff and volunteers to carry out Sierra Club priorities. Communicates clear expectations, capacity, and works in strategic alignment to accomplish Sierra Club’s priority goals. Prioritizes relationships with volunteer leaders and coordinates with other Sierra Club stakeholders as needed.

• Volunteer Leadership Development. Support the development of a comprehensive volunteer development strategy to support volunteers from onboarding to leadership through training, coaching, and mentorship. Coordinate with state staff to support volunteer leadership development and organizing metrics. Identify and develop new and existing volunteers to support as they assume new leadership roles and build Sierra Club’s grassroots power and extend outreach into communities. Supports and trains volunteers on organizing skills and developing issue expertise. Develop volunteer leaders who are skillful at facilitating effective, healthy teams.

• Strategic Local Representation of Sierra Club. In coordination with state and Chapter staff and volunteers, develop or participate in strategic communication and grasstop engagement strategies and metrics. Represents Sierra Club priorities to public officials, partner organizations, and to the media. Maintains positive relationships with strategic partners, coalitions, members of the media, grassroots leaders, elected officials, and government officials when strategic and aligns with the strategic priorities in the state. As needed, serves as Sierra Club spokesperson to media outlets and promotes volunteer and partner organization media exposure.

• Build and Participate on Teams: Build, maintain, and participate on teams to advance state level specific campaign work and Chapter organization building. Develop volunteer leaders who are skillful at facilitating effective, healthy teams.

• Seasonal Activities: Heavier seasonal workloads may occur as a result of project deadlines, staff absences and vacancies, and during peak activity periods.  Frequent weekend and/or evening work required.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Campaign Leadership: Substantial experience as a field organizer, campaign strategist, and/orleading community organizing campaigns prior experience and/or demonstrated ability in developing, training, and coaching teams.. In-depth knowledge and experience of the craft of grassroots organizing, campaign development and implementation, and power building
• Strategy Development and Campaign Planning: Substantial experience planning and managing a state or state campaign, including campaign planning, strategy development, integrating multiple strategies and tactics including organizing, policy, lobbying, communications, and working with senior level political and business leaders.
• Effective Communication: Highly developed communication skills, with a focus on communicating effectively across different groups of stakeholders, internally and externally. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and develop succinct, compelling calls to action.
• Team Building: Demonstrated leadership experience leading a team of peers and working within a team structure collaboratively. Ability to build collective vision, trust, and mutual accountability with team members. Experience working closely with volunteers and developing volunteer leaders.
• Data Practices: Experience using quantitative data (for example, numbers of people engaged) and qualitative data (for instance, stories about people taking action) to inform and evaluate organizing work. Experience building data accountability systems and supporting teams to track and measure the success of organizing tactics.
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily 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.

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

• Issue Expertise: Knowledge of environmental and energy issues, and either expertise or an ability to develop expertise in state energy, climate justice, and/or conservation areas.

• Political Expertise: Knowledge of the political, policy, and regulatory landscape in the state. Best candidates will have relationships with some of the major players in business, organizations, and government.

• Tech Competency: Working knowledge and experience with G-Suite, Zoom, Canva, Mobilize, and Hustle and the ability to learn new technology tools to support organizing and campaign goals. The ability to train and coach staff and volunteers on tools. Demonstrates the ability to create rapport and inspire trust. Open to feedback and the ability to learn new skills.

• This job description encompasses all of the functions held by this position. A realistic annual work plan will be developed based on the strategic priorities and campaign goals of the state and/or region. The work plan will be approved by this position’s manager and adjusted as needed throughout the year. Depending on the needs of the state and/or region, the Campaign Organizing Strategist may be doing some of these functions more than others. The work plan is the tool a manager will use to ensure there is clarity around expectations and work responsibilities.