Vice President of Science & Innovation

ATTENTION APPLICANTS: PLEASE APPLY TO THIS POSITION VIA ON-RAMPS BY CLICKING THE FOLLOWING LINK

Vice President of Science & Innovation

TERM: Permanent

Executive Department

Union of Concerned Scientists

Location: Remote/Hybrid - located in close proximity to the Cambridge MA; Washington DC; Bay Area, CA; or Chicago, IL Office

The Position

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists, and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.

The VP of Science & Innovation works closely with program directors, Executive Team members, and particularly the VP of Advocacy & Programs and other colleagues to ensure UCS positions and solutions are informed by robust, independent, and equity-informed scientific analysis. They ensure that our organizational analytic capabilities are better connected across the organization, informed by and connected to leading work outside our organization, deeply connected to the community and human needs, and grounded in equity. The VP of S&I exhibits an instinct for "seeing around the corner" in order to anticipate and address issues before and as they emerge, working with technical colleagues inside and outside UCS to identify compelling areas of inquiry at the intersection of science and policy in UCS issue areas, and manages our Science Fellow Program. In addition, the VP of S&I serves as a compelling voice to represent UCS science, with the scientific community, policymakers, funders, the Board, our supporters, and other audiences, representing the breadth of UCS science in a wide range of settings in coordination with our deep scientific and policy experts. The VP of S&I brings experience in one or more of our core issues areas and combines deep US experience with a global perspective and networks.

As a member of UCS's executive leadership team, the VP of Science & Innovation is an 'institutional citizen' who contributes to setting and shaping organization-wide policies and practices. In this role, the VP will share and source good practice with and from other UCS programs and departments, and proactively seek opportunities to scale and deepen impact through efforts that join forces with other UCS programs, departments, and external partners.

Responsibilities:

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE:

Ensures UCS delivers rigorous independent science and centers equity in our science. This position identifies areas of opportunity or concern, with input from S&A staff, and helps programs resolve sticky issues where science intersects with advocacy.

• Define and uphold clear standards and processes for scientific excellence with S&A staff, and campaign and program leadership
• Drives centering on equity in our science, including building UCS capacity to support this work. Promotes the value of analyses that are aimed at engaging people and communities as well as policymakers.
• Provide support to enable S&A staff to be more effective (e.g., development of SAFE toolkit or research tools)
• Promotes behavioral norms, best practices, and processes that support scientific excellence and innovation - e.g., driving continued improvements in S&A approaches and practices, encouraging/fostering collaboration with external experts, and building out UCS's capacity to do stakeholder-driven science.
• Convenes and takes guidance from the S&A co-chairs council to stay closely connected to the concerns and needs of S&A staff
• Spots areas of opportunity for UCS to engage in cross-programmatic and leading-edge scientific work and work with programs and the VP of A&P to nurture emerging ideas and direct resources towards the most promising opportunities.
• With other members of the Executive Team including the VP of Advocacy & Programs, reviews strategic and annual plans to ensure alignment with organizational strategic goals and priorities
• Develops and leads a small S&I team that helps implement these processes and systems.

INNOVATION:

Positions UCS as a leader on emerging scientific issues related to our issue set

• Develop UCS's collective understanding of the evolving landscape and leading edges of scientific knowledge in and at the intersection of UCS's issues areas, both in the US and globally.
• Identify areas of nascent opportunity for early-stage research
• Overseas Science Fellows program

SENIOR UCS REPRESENTATIVE:

A compelling voice for UCS science & science advocacy positions to key external audiences

• Represents UCS science & science advocacy positions to key external audiences (key funders, the media, policymakers, some coalition partners, the scientific community, and the public)
• Supports S&A colleagues in doing the same
• Lends support programs and campaigns to engage leaders in the scientific community, as needed.
• Lends support to Science Network staff as needed.

AS A UCS LEADER:

• Develop and foster on an ongoing basis, an inclusive, productive, and strong culture that is anti-racist, provides opportunities for a diverse staff to grow, thrive, and succeed in their work and careers
• Understand, coordinate and collaborate on organizational anti-racist goals
• Hire, mentor, and recognize the full value and opportunities of a diverse staff
• Be responsible for steering, modeling, and ensuring advocacy and program functioning and communications uphold those commitments.

LIKE ALL UCS EMPLOYEES, this individual is expected to maintain awareness that they represent UCS in any setting they appear in, with responsibility for upholding UCS values and ensuring that their activities and statements enhance the organization's reputation and credentials among the press, public, and private sectors, promote UCS, advance organizational objectives, and enhance funding opportunities.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participates in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies, and others.

Qualifications and Experience

The position requires 15+ years of management experience in a science-oriented leadership role in a non-profit, NGO, or government agency.

The position requires excellent leadership skills, project management experience, and outstanding written and verbal communication ability:

• Education: Master's degree required; Ph.D. degree in a physical or social science discipline preferred, or equivalent experience as a practicing scientist
• Understanding of advocacy work: an understanding of - and ideally experience in building and supporting - advocacy campaigns, combining technical analysis, policy advocacy, communications, and outreach to generate public support and pressure for action.
• Deep experience as a well-respected scientist, with an appreciation of the importance of all aspects of advocacy and campaigning as a means of making change, and a thorough understanding of how science can influence public policy
• Strong facilitation and synthesizer who works inclusively with fellow scientists and colleagues; strong orientation towards empowering and supporting colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to successfully establish and/or oversee organizational processes, systems, and cultural norms, particularly those that foster scientific excellence and equity in science
• A compelling communicator of nuanced technical and policy issues, who brings an appreciation for the role that framing and messaging play in communicating about science.
• Ability to supervise and manage a cross-functional team
• A deep commitment to racial equity that is incorporated into how you work individually and with others

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Oversees a small Science & Innovation team (e.g., 1-3) who provides strategic, operational, logistical, and administrative support to this role.

Budget Authority

Oversees Science & Innovation budget, with authority to negotiate contracts with vendors/providers/consultants in support of S&I initiatives and priorities.

Physical Requirements

Little or no exertion; spends extended periods at a computer. May occasionally lift and carry boxes of supplies or publications.

Hours

Regular office hours, with occasional nights and weekend hours in connection with urgent events or critical deadlines.

Travel

Occasional travel to represent UCS to external audiences (e.g., with the scientific community or policymakers).

Occasional travel to coordinate with colleagues and supervises staff.

Occasional travel to attend in-person Executive Team, Leadership Team, program, and/or staff retreats (estimated 5-10 overnights per year) and in-person Board meetings (estimated 2 days for 2 of 3 Board meetings each year).

Details:

This is a full-time remote/hybrid position based in either Cambridge MA; Washington DC; Bay Area, CA; or Chicago, IL, or in close proximity to one of these offices. For those who meet all position requirements, compensation is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $196,201 - $220,730. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: The Union of Concerned Scientists has partnered with On Ramps, an executive search firm, for this search. Please apply at https://www.on-ramps.com/open-positions/2767.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in-office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until Filled.