Program Assistant Director

Summary

Join the Sierra Club as a Program Assistant Director, Chapter Fundraising, a remote position based anywhere in the US with occasional travel. You will supervise 3-4 staff, coaching them and chapter leaders on fundraising strategies, particularly for mid-to-major gifts ($1,000-$25,000+). Responsibilities include developing and executing chapter fundraising plans, collaborating with major gift officers, and working with volunteers. You'll need extensive fundraising experience, strong coaching skills, and excellent communication. The ideal candidate will also have experience with Salesforce and a passion for environmental issues. The salary range is $95,000-$100,000 annually, with excellent benefits.

Requirements

• Extensive experience overseeing and implementing fundraising programs, preferably in a small non-profit
• Your ability to provide sound advice to Chapter Directors, fundraising staff, and volunteer leaders based on your own experience and study is crucial in this role
• A deep understanding of how to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward $1,000-$25,000+ gifts from individuals
• You must be able to understand, teach, and project manage a mid to major gift level fundraising program at chapters
• How a small non-profit organization must blend multiple fundraising strategies targeting many levels of giving in order to meet its fundraising goals
• Experience supervising fundraising staff
• You must be able to supervise, manage, and coach multiple fundraising staff to be most effective in their work
• Extensive experience and expertise in coaching
• You will be working with individuals and small teams that need your advice, assistance, and accountability
• Successful coaching skills are a must
• You must be able to inspire and instill confidence to fundraise in the chapters you are assigned to
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• The highly collaborative nature of this position requires exceptional interpersonal skills
• You may also meet with external funders, so your ability to present information verbally and in writing is essential
• 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
• Project management and logistics skills
• You will be asked to create and oversee projects for an assigned portfolio of chapters at once
• You need to be comfortable designing tools that help you manage this complexity and see projects through to completion
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet deadlines and fundraising goals
• Demonstrated skill using tact and diplomacy with confidential and sensitive matters
• Deep understanding of the importance of remaining confidential when working with donor information

Responsibilities

• Supervise, manage, and support 3-4 SPARC Program Regional Strategists who will serve as lead coaches/project managers of an assigned portfolio of chapters on their mid to major gift fundraising program
• Serve as the coach/project manager to an assigned portfolio of chapters focused on their mid to major gift fundraising program
• Their support to individual chapters will help build effective, efficient fundraising programs focusing on building authentic relationships with mid to major gift level funders
• Coordinate closely with major gift officers in their region to support strategies for major gift level donors
• Work closely with the Senior Director on mid to major gift fundraising strategy for chapters
• Coaching chapter leaders with strategic and tactical advice to improve fundraising performance
• Consults and supports chapter leaders on fundraising strategy and program implementation at individual chapters
• This may include site visits and in-person coaching
• Leading the effort to develop and execute chapter fundraising plans
• Facilitate the creation of and execution of chapter fundraising plans, meeting with chapters regularly to ensure the completion of fundraising activities specifically related to mid to major gifts
• Coaching chapters on ways to leverage volunteer involvement with fundraising
• Works with volunteers and staff leaders to create opportunities for volunteers to participate in fundraising—particularly at the board level
• Coaching chapters on grant strategy
• When needed this role by helping to identify potential grants, support the chapter with grant strategy, and work collaboratively with Grant Writers
• Meet with external funders
• This role may need to manage a portfolio of donors if there is a gap at chapters, by cultivating relationships, making asks, and stewarding donors
• Collaborating with leaders in our Advancement and Membership Growth Departments to facilitate coordination between major gift staff, mid-level managers, and chapter leaders
• Facilitates collaboration between chapter staff and the national organization’s fundraising team, particularly with major gift work
• Representing the Chapter Fundraising Team in collaborative spaces across the organization
• Regularly attend meetings within the department or larger organization to share our team’s perspective and elevate the needs of Chapter fundraisers
• Work closely with the Senior Director for Chapter Fundraising
• Regularly providing updates on progress and working with them to continually improve the mid to major gift level fundraising program at chapters

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for environmental issues and local, grassroots activism
• Experience with Salesforce

Benefits

• $95,000 - $100,000 a year
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A retirement savings 401(k) plan