Job Title: Communications & Advancement Coordinator
Department: Illinois Chapter
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Chapter Director
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.
Mass emails, texts, & newsletter management. Create and send e-newsletters. Help schedule, prepare, and send other mass emails using our marketing systems and mass text messages. Create, print, and mail the annual print newsletter in the fall.
Social media management & website maintenance. Schedule engaging daily posts and stories that highlight Illinois Sierra Club’s work and issue areas on our social media accounts. Use Drupal to maintain our website with blog posts and up-to-date static content. Post relevant video content to our channels. Use our internal platforms to maintain our online events calendar, including digital registration forms for Outings. Coordinate with staff and volunteer teams on content.
Multimedia content creation for Chapter communications platforms. Ensure content is consistent with broader Sierra Club messaging goals and implemented strategically. Develop, implement, and coordinate communications and digital engagement strategy for the full range of chapter campaigns. Use Canva to create eye-catching shareable graphics.
Donation processing & record-keeping. Pickup mail weekly at our downtown Chicago office. Prep and deposit c4 donation checks at the bank. Mail c3 donation checks to the Sierra Club Foundation. Record donations in Salesforce database. Coordinate with volunteers to write thank-you notes to donors. Contact monthly donors to update expired credit cards. Send donation reports to Chapter Director each quarter. Assist Chapter Director with other donor stewardship strategies.
Fundraising appeals coordination. Help prepare fundraising letters, brochures, and mailing lists for annual mailed appeals in spring, summer, and fall. Coordinate volunteers to hand-address major donor letters and other fundraising tasks. Lead outreach for nonprofit giving days like Illinois Gives in May and Giving Tuesday in December.
Fundraising narratives and campaign communication support. By working closely with staff and volunteer leaders, help us better communicate about our planned and existing programmatic work to donors, potential funders, and supporters. As time allows, develop and deliver communication trainings to staff and volunteers on topics including but not limited to: narrative strategy, equitable communications, interacting with the press, message development, email and social media strategies, among other areas.
Fundraising events assistance. Help plan and manage fundraising events. Create materials for fundraising training for ExCom and interested volunteers. Help research other creative and effective fundraising event ideas.
Grant research & writing. As time allows, research and assist with applying for additional grant opportunities to support our work at local, regional, and national foundations.
Logistical & programmatic support for Chapter initiatives and campaigns. Attend meetings for local and regional campaigns related to the Chapter’s areas of focus, such as clean energy, transportation water, outings and electoral work, and others as deemed appropriate by the Director. Provide programmatic support to these teams and campaigns through creating digital content, coordinating communications such as follow-up emails or resource sharing, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed.
Other miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Software competency and graphic design. You are comfortable with using a wide range of computer software and are quick to learn new software. You proactively learn new tools and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing technology environment. You have a knack for designing and formatting visually-appealing graphics for social media posts, emails, and/or printed materials.
Compelling and inclusive content creation. You aim for accuracy and attention to detail. You can learn, internalize, and incorporate our “voice” across platforms. You organize and share information effectively — whether writing an internal email or delivering a presentation. You are keenly aware of the power of language and representation. You use references and examples that speak to the experiences of a diverse audience, particularly the communities we aim to reach.
Responsibility. You take financial responsibility seriously and demonstrate that you can be trusted and held accountable to follow protocols to pick up, process, and deposit checks for the organization. You also take seriously the responsibility of posting messages and graphics on public platforms on behalf of the organization, and demonstrate that you can be trusted and held accountable to follow our communications protocols.
Entrepreneurial and resourceful. You can manage a high volume of work with efficiency. You have, or can create, a system for keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You are able to juggle competing demands and prioritize without sacrificing quality. You consistently overcome challenges and leverage resources to creatively solve problems. You propose solutions to issues without much guidance (but aren't afraid to ask questions). You proactively ask for help, anticipate problems, and course-correct where needed. You are able to work independently, but always within a framework of teamwork, collaboration, and clear communication with others.
Climate Justice analysis and practice. You have an understanding of how climate change disproportionately impacts communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income communities; the climate solutions and leadership being demonstrated in those communities; and interest in and/or experience with developing inclusive campaigns at the intersection of environmental action and social justice.
Equity analysis and practice. You are aware of your group identities and how they have shaped your life and experiences at work. You have an analysis of how racism and other forms of oppression in society impact relationships, systems and culture. You bring experience and skills for working effectively with colleagues across group identities and position/role.
Experience supporting digital communications and/or fundraising at an advocacy-based nonprofit
Experience with event planning and management, particularly fundraising events
Experience using any of the software programs listed above
Knowledge of and/or interest in climate change, clean energy, environmental, and social justice issues
Fluency in Spanish
Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position is $65,000 annually.
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 5, exempt, represented position.
This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.
Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
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 Human Resources 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 diversity.
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.
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.