Senior Project Manager

Job Title: Senior Project Manager, Operating Team Department: Operations Location: Oakland, CA preferred Reports To: Chief Operating 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 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 Senior Project Manager, Operating Team will provide administrative and project management support to Sierra Club’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), to ensure projects, initiatives, and workflows are developed and implemented efficiently, effectively, and equitably. As a strategic partner this role works in concert with the COO to ensure Operating Team projectsare planned and completed successfully. Provides project management support and thought partnership towards the planning and development of special projects, policies, procedures, and other change management initiatives; convenes collaborative planning process; attends meetings and tracks deliverables; develops and implements stakeholder engagement and internal communications plans; oversees task management and workflows to ensure project progress and effective implementation Job activities include but are not limited to:

Participate in Operations leadership meetings, organizes agendas and documents, takes notes, and tracks action items, assists with preparation of follow-up.

Support the COO and Operations colleagues in ensuring effective workflows to keep things on track, on budget, and running smoothly, often coordinating stakeholders across multiple units or departments.

Track internal and external milestones, timelines, and deliverables to ensure functional momentum of projects and initiatives.

Serve as a liaison between the Chief Operating Officer (COO), senior departmental leaders, and staff in The Operating Team;Act as a thought partner when following up on delegated tasks or projects.

Keep current on projects within The Operating Team, consults with the COO on key decisions while proactively keeping the COO and their teams up to date on the status of major initiatives spanning the department and the entire organization.

Develop and implement strategies to improve department-wide operations and manage day to day operational matters.

Provide guidance on streamlining operations for the Operating Team, including operationalizing, automating, and documenting processes, policies, and procedures for effective delegation to other employees.

Serve as the administrative assistant for the COO, which could include coordination of staff or consultants, meeting plannings, and calendar and email management.

Partner with the People Department to manage the hiring processes for senior level candidates in The Operating Team, including screening higher-level candidates before an interview, outlining the hiring process and drafting job descriptions.

Monitor, analyze, and evaluate policies, initiatives and developments for The Operating Team as requested.

Manage income and expense reports, time sheets, and invoices for the COO and their direct reports as needed.

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

5+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant, Executive Project Manager, or Senior Project Manager

Confidentiality: The Senior Project Manager, Operating Team will have access to sensitive personnel, legal, labor relations, and strategic information.

Superb communication: Communicate across the organization to stay attuned to organizational initiatives. This involves fostering positive relationships to instill trust and communication across departments.

Software Skills: Use software such as Monday.com, Google Suite, Salesforce, Zapier, and other tools that can substantially enhance productivity and collaboration. 

Project Management: Plays a key role in supporting the COO and staff by tracking and coordinating special projects. Highly proficient in tactical organization, including time, task, and project management, and adept at reviewing and refining metrics to ensure accurate progress tracking.

Flexibility and Versatility: Duties can change on a regular basis, and the right candidate will be expected to be able to readily adapt to these changes with an open mind.

Belonging Must Have: 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.

Belonging Must Have: 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.