The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is the leading association for public sector waste and resource management professionals across North America. With 47 Chapters spanning the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, SWANA connects a diverse network of industry professionals committed to advancing from waste management to resource management. We support our members through technical education, training, credentialing, and research, while also advocating for the essential role our industry plays in protecting public health, supporting the economy, and building sustainable communities.

Role Overview

SWANA is seeking a collaborative, relationship-driven professional to serve as Manager, Chapter Relations. This role is the primary liaison between SWANA National and its 47 chapters, providing hands-on support, strategic guidance, and consistent communication to chapter leaders and volunteers across North America.

The Manager, Chapter Relations is responsible for strengthening chapter health and engagement, ensuring alignment with SWANA's mission and strategic priorities, and helping chapter leaders deliver high-quality programming and meaningful member experiences. This position partners closely with chapter officers, region representatives, and SWANA staff to build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the chapter network.

Key Responsibilities

Chapter Engagement & Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for SWANA's 47 chapters, providing responsive guidance, resources, and ongoing support to chapter leaders, officers, and volunteers.
• Build strong, consultative relationships with chapter leaders to understand their unique needs, challenges, and opportunities for growth.
• Identify and develop new chapter opportunities in underserved geographies in partnership with national leadership.
• Monitor chapter health metrics and proactively identify chapters requiring additional support or intervention.
• Facilitate chapter strategic planning discussions, helping leaders set measurable goals and develop actionable plans aligned with SWANA's priorities.
• Conduct regular check-ins with chapter leaders to track progress, celebrate wins, and address challenges.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the chapter network.

Member Experience

• Champion the member experience at the chapter level, ensuring that SWANA members receive consistent, high-quality engagement and programming regardless of their chapter.
• Collaborate with the Membership team to support chapter-level membership recruitment and retention initiatives.
• Gather and relay feedback from chapter leaders and members to SWANA national leadership to inform programs, policies, and services.
• Support the development and recognition of outstanding chapter volunteer leadership.

Governance & Compliance

• Assist chapters in complying with SWANA bylaws, policies, and procedures, including governance documentation, annual reporting, and board transitions.
• Maintain accurate records of chapter charters, bylaws, officer directories, and compliance status.
• Support chapter board election processes and onboarding of new chapter leaders.
• Oversee chapter tax compliance requirements and coordinate with national staff on federal group exemption status.

Programming & Events

• Support chapters in planning and delivering meetings, technical events, educational programs, and networking opportunities that reflect SWANA standards and advance industry excellence.
• Maintain the national chapter events calendar and coordinate promotion of chapter activities with SWANA's marketing and communications teams.
• Share tools, templates, and best practices to enhance chapter programming quality and consistency across the network.

Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Track and report on chapter activity, engagement data, and performance indicators; prepare periodic reports for leadership.
• Collaborate with membership, education, marketing, advocacy, and events teams to align national and chapter-level initiatives.
• Support SWANA strategic initiatives involving chapters, including membership growth campaigns and sponsorship development.

Why SWANA?

• Be part of an evolution: Help shape the next chapter of SWANA’s transformation from waste to resource management.
• Meaningful mission: Contribute to sustainability, safety, and innovation across communities and industry.
• Purpose-driven team: Work with professionals aligned around SWANA’s strategic pillars: safety, sustainability, professional development, and member value.
• Work with flexibility: Hybrid-remote options plus a benefits package that includes generous leave, medical choices (including employer-funded HSA), and employer-paid life and disability.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations to hr@swana.org. SWANA is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or veteran status.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in association management, nonprofit administration, communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience working with chapters, volunteer leaders, or affiliated organizations, ideally within an association or membership-based nonprofit.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong professional relationships with diverse stakeholders, including volunteers, executives, and peers.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience leading group discussions, training sessions, or strategic planning workshops.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and presenting to groups.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and relationships with professionalism and responsiveness.
• Experience interpreting and applying governance documents such as bylaws, policies, and charters.
• Must be based in Washington D.C. area.

Preferred

• Experience supporting volunteer committees or advisory groups within an association or membership organization.
• Familiarity with chapter-based organizational models and volunteer engagement best practices.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote).
• Experience with association management systems (AMS) or CRM platforms.
• Proficiency with collaboration and project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Glue Up, or similar).
• Experience in the solid waste, environmental services, or sustainability sector — or a demonstrated interest in SWANA's mission.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, or active pursuit of CAE designation.