New York Field Manager

Job Title: Field Manager
Department: Field
Location: Closest NY Sierra Club Office or remote within New York State. This position requires the ability to travel.
Reports To: Deputy Regional Field Director, Northeast
Supervises: Field 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 Field Manager manages field staff in New York State 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. Builds and leads teams to design strategies that leverage the full power of the Sierra Club in achieving local, state, and national priorities. Develops trusting, mutually accountable relationships with the Atlantic lead chapter staff and volunteer Executive Committee members. This role coaches, leads, and manages teams towards achieving the Sierra Club’s bold Strategic Framework and 2030 goals.
In partnership with lead chapter staff, this role convenes, leads, and coordinates the work of a multi-disciplinary staff and volunteer team and facilitates the development and implementation of campaign plans that align with the strategic plan for the state and region. Inspires and facilitates shared vision for the team. Effectively engages the broad skill sets of the team toward campaign and team goals and fosters a team culture rooted in inclusion and aligned with the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Planning and Assessment: Guide and direct field staff in a locale to develop, execute and evaluate field plans to deliver outcomes that measurably advance our overarching organizational and campaign goals centered in equity, justice, and inclusion. Convene, or direct field staff to convene, multi-disciplinary campaign teams to design and implement campaign strategies in a locale. Partner with chapter lead staff and Chapter Committees to develop the Chapter’s short and long-term strategic, programmatic, and financial goals and objectives. Maintain close partnership with the Strategy Office to identify, track, and deliver on national campaign outcomes, design state and regional campaign strategies in alignment with our overarching strategies, and identify and elevate emergent strategic priorities in the region.
• Manage, coach, and lead staff and build teams: Manage field staff in NY towards achieving local, state, and national priorities. Provides staff management and guidance on strategies and tactics of one or more major campaigns or programs. Partner closely with chapter leaders in defining and advancing strategies in the state. Coach direct reports to build teams and state strategic plans that build enduring power in states while realizing the Sierra Club’s 2030 goals.
• Leverage capacities towards strategic delivery: Partner with Strategy Office in developing campaign strategies in a locale. Coordinate with digital and communications staff to advance conservation outcomes. Develop grassroots, movement-building, and related strategic analyses to be included in campaign strategy development.
• Leadership Development: Support the Atlantic chapter lead staff and volunteers in developing volunteer recruitment goals aimed at increasing leadership on chapter committees, increasing both members and leadership. Help train and motivate organizing staff and volunteers. Participate in volunteer meetings, trainings, and events as needed.
• Represent Sierra Club in Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy: In coordination with staff and volunteers, represent Sierra Club priorities to public officials. Coordinates with state leadership on political accountability and electoral activity. Facilitate Sierra Club representation in local, state, and national coalitions.
• Reporting: Provide assistance and reporting metrics to assist in the development of funding proposals and participates in grant-making and solicitation efforts.
• 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 have the following skills and experience:

• Team Leadership: Significant experience as a field organizer and/or campaigner. Prior experience and/or demonstrated ability in developing, training, and coaching teams of staff and volunteers in achieving shared goals.
• Strategy and Impact: Track record of successful campaigns, delivering impactful victories and building enduring power. Demonstrated effective oversight in implementing campaign plans. Track record of managing multiple projects or campaigns across teams of staff and volunteer leaders. Understanding of environmental, climate, and social justice issues and how they relate to each other. Prior experience in electoral politics or legislative processes is a plus.
• 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.
• Leadership Development: You lead by creating the conditions for others to achieve shared purpose in the face of uncertainty. You practice leadership development throughout your work, and coach and manage those you work with to do the same. Skillful at giving and receiving feedback and creating cultures of learning, risk taking, and mutual accountability in the teams you lead. Experience working with volunteers and in staff and in volunteer contexts.
• Project Management: Strong project management and facilitation skills. Experience with project management software is a plus. Track record of successfully moving strategies and projects with teams in complex landscapes.
• Valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance are required.

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

• Budget and/or Fundraising Experience. Experience managing a budget and/or fundraising. Experience managing complex budgets with multiple funding streams a plus. Experience in the development of grant proposals and building and maintaining individual donor relationships.
• Electoral and advocacy Experience. Understanding and experience with electoral campaigns and/or legislative advocacy strategies. Track record of leveraging those strategies to achieve issue campaign outcomes.

Compensation: The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan. This is a category 3 exempt non-represented managerial and supervisory position. Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.
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.