Specialist, Development Communications

Permanent

Development

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our Organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create 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 disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet. 

• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. 
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions. 
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

The Position

The Development Communications Specialist supports the UCS Development Team in raising $40-$50M annually through creating dedicated content for fundraising collateral for a wide range of donor audiences (with a particular focus on Major and Mid-Level Donors and Family Foundations). They work collaboratively across teams to translate the organization and its program priorities into narratives that steward established donors and cultivate new ones to invest meaningfully into the organizational vision through strategies and timebound tactics that result in measurable impact. The Development Communications Specialist will curate anecdotes that exemplify our work through compelling storytelling that pulls on heart, while balancing those narratives with data and visuals that demonstrate tangible impacts. This role will report into the Stewardship, Engagement, and Events team but have a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Major Gifts, Membership, and other Development teams. 

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across teams and internal stakeholders to develop compelling proposals, reports and other donor communications collateral, with a focus on Major Gift and Family Foundation donor audiences.

• Build relationships and information bridges with program teams to support the translation of programmatic priorities and workplans into compelling donor-facing narratives, and to deliver rapid response donor communications on programmatic developments, achievements, and related news events that impact the trajectory of UCS strategies.  
• Develop donor-targeted program narratives that are solutions-oriented, impact-driven, and combine compelling data that demonstrates our theory of change and measures progress with storytelling that illustrates our work in action and the results of that work. 

• Serve as a Development department-wide resource to share updated donor-ready programmatic language, ensuring consistent and updated language is used by Major Gifts, Stewardship, Membership and other teams.
• Coordinate and lead on creation of portfolio-wide communications (e.g. acknowledgement letters, bi-annual appeals, cultivation mailings, event invites, etc.).

• Develop three-to-five program briefs annually for donors that offer compelling solutions and impact-oriented narrative that set up major gifts officers up for success in their personalized solicitation strategies.   

• Project management, including working in collaboration with Development, Communications, and Data teams to manage lists, liaise with mail houses/vendors, assemble content, etc. 

• Maintain major donor and family foundation proposal report calendar, and assist in assembling materials, drafting/designing/repurposing materials. 

• Assist in preparing briefing materials for donor meetings, among other copy-editing, writing, communications-related responsibilities. 

• Ensure proper data management and coding to support accurate and thoughtful inclusion (or exclusion) of MG donor/ prospect audiences within various communication streams across development and the organization.  

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

People Management Authority  

While this position typically does not have direct reports, it may coordinate, manage, and provide technical direction to staff, interns, fellows, consultants, and volunteers allocated to specific projects, as assigned.  

Physical Requirements  

Describe the work environment and physical requirements for performing the position’s essential responsibilities, including:  

·        Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.  

·        Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.  

·        Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.   

Work Schedule  

Regular office hours, may include occasional nights and weekends hours.  

Travel Requirements  

Must be able to travel nationally, including overnight trips, up to 15%.  

EEO Statement  

UCS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, se or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic predisposition, veteran or military status, parental status, political affiliation, union status, status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense or stalking, or any other class or status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.  All UCS employees, including but not limited to recruiting personnel and hiring managers, are required to abide by this policy. 

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

·        The position requires at least 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with at least 5 years of development writing experience. 

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills.

·        Major gifts or foundations fundraising experience, including direct donor contact and solicitation experience, as well as knowledge of donor tracking systems, is a plus.

·        Must be able to manage complex projects and multiple tasks with thorough attention to detail and follow-through; plan, organize and communicate effectively; collaborate well with colleagues within and outside of Development department

·        Demonstrated success managing and prioritizing all tasks associated with writing successful and compelling proposals/reports

·        Must demonstrate superior interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships and multiple tasks with ease.

·        Strong computer skills, including facility with Microsoft Office suite and constituent databases necessary (experience with Raiser’s Edge, Mission CRM, Lexis, Microsoft Dynamics, and/or DonorSearch a plus). 

·        The position requires the ability to work remotely, independently, and in a team environment.

·        The position requires a bachelor’s degree. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate. 

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $97,090. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

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 which 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: We know there are great candidates who won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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.  

*For internal applicants, the application deadline is Tuesday, September 8th. The process can be found in Namely, along with the internal reference form, under Talent Resources*