Job Title: Special Projects Associate
Department: People
Location: Remote
Reports To: Deputy Chief People Officer
Supervises: N/A
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 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.
Scope: The Special Projects Associate provides effective administrative and operational support to the Deputy Chief People Officer and Sierra Club’s People Department. Facilitates department budget management and oversight and contributes to the functional growth and stability of the team. Provides executive assistance to the Deputy Chief People Officer and collaborates across team functions to support internal and external communications and initiatives. As a member of the People Department, this role has access to confidential and sensitive budgetary and personnel information.
Job activities include but are not limited to:
Executive Support – Provides efficient and comprehensive administrative support to the Deputy Chief People Officer, including managing the DCPO’s calendar to align with departmental and organizational priorities and be responsive to emergent needs; scheduling and meeting coordination; developing and organizing agendas and presentation materials; drafting correspondence and assisting with communications needs; coordinating travel; and various related tasks. Maintains confidentiality.
Budget Coordination - Collaborates with unit and departmental leadership to track budgetary goals; pay department bills; keeps accurate records; evaluates financial requests against available resources; tracks expenses and invoicing; flags areas of financial risk; forecasts needs and identifies trends; reports internally on budgetary outlook as needed.
Meeting & Event Management - Serve as departmental point person for meetings, events, and other gatherings; provides logistical support, developing and executing comprehensive plans for team travel needs; assists with the preparation of materials as needed; collaborates with support staff across the organization on larger events.
Special Projects – Manages projects as assigned in furtherance of People Team or departmental priorities; performs and synthesizes research and complex information; compiles reports; communicates effectively with stakeholders; tracks and coordinates outcomes; handles confidential information with sensitivity and discretion.
Collaboration & Teamwork – Builds effective working relationships across the organization; models and upholds organizational values; represents the People Team as needed in cross-functional collaboration spaces; develops and demonstrates a thorough and strategic understanding of organizational history and momentum.
Work outside normal hours: This position will require occasional out-of-town travel. While traveling, it may be required to be present for evening and/or weekend meetings, retreats, or other discrete events.
The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:
Experience successfully performing key functions of administrative and operational support, including logistics, calendars and scheduling, event coordination, and executive support, ideally in a large, complex organization.
Alignment with Sierra Club’s mission and familiarity with non-profit organizational structures and dynamics.
Experience with budget and financial management.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects through the full life cycle; proven ability to complete projects according to outlined scope, budget, and timeline.
Excellent writing and editing skills. Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
Exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, initiative and follow through, including ability to work and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Exceptional ability to interact inclusively, cooperatively, and effectively with a wide range of constituents. Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with confidential or emotionally-charged matters.
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 experience, skills and competencies:
3+ years’ of demonstrated success working in comparable program support, project management, or operations leadership roles.
The competency to create scalable systems and procedures for a variety of tasks and projects, and evolve them to meet changing needs of stakeholders.
Strong emotional intelligence and demonstrated ability to create rapport and inspire trust.
Experience in complex, long-tenured organizations with varied and diverse stakeholder populations
To Apply
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.
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