Director, Center for Science and Democracy

Director, Center for Science and Democracy
Location: Cambridge, MA or Washington, DC Office

Procedure for Candidacy
Interested individuals should provide a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position along with a resume or curriculum vitae. This search will be conducted with great respect for the confidentiality of candidates.

Applications, nominations and letters of interest may be submitted in confidence toManny Berger and Brian Bloomfield, via email (electronic submissions are greatly preferred):

UCSDirector@wittkieffer.com

The Opportunity
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) -- a nonprofit partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development, and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical environmental solutions -- seeks a Director for its new Center for Science and Democracy. UCS is launching the Center for Science and Democracy (CSD), an ambitious new nonpartisan initiative dedicated to strengthening American democracy by restoring the essential role of science, evidence-based knowledge and constructive debate in the U.S. policymaking process.

The new CSD Director will be a dynamic scientist who will be at home in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating analytical and advocacy environment. This is an opportunity to join a science-based organization known widely for the critical role it plays in helping to solve some of society’s most pressing concerns (www.ucsusa.org).

Reporting to the President of UCS, the Director provides scientific, strategic and managerial leadership for the Center for Science and Democracy. The Director draws upon the advice and guidance of the President, the UCS Board of Directors, Program Directors and the CSD Steering Committee, which when fully formed will consist of six to ten leaders across disciplines at the nexus of science and democracy.

Established in 1969, UCS seeks to ensure that all people have clean air, energy, and transportation, as well as food that is produced in a safe and sustainable manner. UCS strives for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war, and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Sound science guides UCS’s efforts to secure changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices that will protect and improve the health of our environment globally, nationally, and in communities throughout the United States. UCS is headquartered in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with offices in Washington, D.C., Berkeley, CA, and Chicago, IL.

The CSD Director will lead the planning, implementation, and management of this important new Center. As a member of the organization’s Leadership Team, the CSD Director will provide counsel and advice on strategic, operational, and other organizational issues to the President and Executive Director. The Director should be an individual with great passion for the integral role of science in policy making; and have the ability to represent the organization’s and center’s mission and, goals and to work with a wide diversity of audiences. The successful candidate will join a widely respected organization with a compelling mission and a supportive, vibrant, and collegial workplace culture.

Recruitment will continue until this position is filled.

The CSD Director will:

• establish the vision and strategy of the Center via the development and execution of a three-year strategy and annual program plan.
• represent and raise the visibility of UCS on science and democracy issues in key public, scientific, non-governmental, media, and government/policy fora.
• serve as the lead spokesperson on science and democracy through a range of proactive communication activities across multiple channels, including traditional and the new media.
• develop and maintain effective collaborations with leading scientists and scientific associations, and the UCS science network on these issues.
• ensure the high scientific accuracy of CSD programming and activities.

While ensuring the quality and effective coordination of all CSD activities, the Director will shape and set its overall direction. In addition, the Director will:

• lead efforts to engage and maintain contact with science and democracy thought leaders, scientists, scientific societies, NGO leaders, media representatives, policymakers, and other government and civil society leaders to achieve the goals of the CSD and to raise the visibility of UCS and its work in key scientific and policy fora.
• serve as the lead spokesperson on science and democracy through a range of communications channels, including traditional and new media. Work with the UCS Communications Department to devise proactive communications strategies and tactics to create a public dialogue on science and democracy issues. These strategies should seek to build awareness and provoke dialogue. Ensure consistency and effectiveness of other spokespeople among UCS staff and the allied expert and stakeholder communities. As appropriate, represent UCS on other priority science and policy issues.
• provide strategic advice to the President, CSD Steering Committee, Board of Directors, and other senior staff on key UCS policies and activities regarding issues of science and democracy.
• work with the Chief Development Officer and his/her staff to successfully develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan for the Center. Represent the CSD with foundation funders, in donor meetings, and at member fora, including the National Advisory Board. Provide substantive oversight and quality control of program and, as appropriate, cross-program grant proposals and reports, including proposal budgets and expenditure reports.
• work with UCS program directors to leverage and extend the reach of their work to key public audiences as it relates to the misuse of scientific information to influence public understanding. Ensure the effective coordination and integration of the work of the CSD with the work of other UCS programs and departments.
• oversee development and administration of the annual CSD operating budget, as well as the preparation and timely completion of periodic reports that summarize the activities and/or plans of the CSD. Represent the CSD before the UCS Board, CSD Steering Committee, senior management, foundation representatives, and others.
• travel regularly to various meetings, functions and events to represent the CSD and UCS. Perform other duties as required.

QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
A doctoral degree in the physical or life sciences or relevant social sciences (e.g. history of science, sociology, anthropology, science communications etc.) is required, as well as professional accomplishments that will make the Director a credible spokesperson and representative for UCS on science and democracy issues with expert, policy, and public constituencies and the media.

The position requires a comprehensive understanding of the appropriate use of scientific and technical information in public understanding and the public policy process. A general familiarity with broader issues at the science-democracy nexus is also essential, as well as extensive experience working with thought leaders across disciplines. Excellent verbal and written communications skills are required, including: a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and credibly with public audiences, policymakers, leading scientists and other experts; and a demonstrable ability to effectively build and manage cross-disciplinary teams on tight deadlines in the service of achieving science-based policy or public engagement objectives. Fundraising experience and ability is very important.

The successful candidate will be a collegial and collaborative leader who is passionate about UCS’s mission and embodies its values, especially a sense of integrity and purpose. He or she will also be a strategic leader who is far-sighted about UCS’s potential and will inspire the entrepreneurial and creative initiatives to reach it. As an influential member of the UCS Leadership Team, the Director will play a collaborative role in guiding and leading the organization, contributing sound counsel on strategic, operational, and organizational leadership issues.

The Director position requires seven to ten years of experience in scientific and public policy work, including management experience. Demonstrated successful cross-disciplinary collaborations and experience with board/steering committee management are required. Experience managing the launch of new center-like initiatives and with scientist outreach and mobilization strategies and/or issue campaign planning and implementation are helpful but not required, as is experience organizing and hosting public policy or educational forums.

The director manages the program manager and other future staff of the Center for Science and Democracy, and coordinates staff from across the organization with time assigned to CSD activities.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY
Interested individuals should provide a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position along with a resume or curriculum vitae. This search will be conducted with great respect for the confidentiality of candidates.

Applications, nominations and letters of interest may be submitted in confidence to Manny Berger and Brian Bloomfield, via email (electronic submissions are greatly preferred):

UCSDirector@wittkieffer.com

Additional inquiries or materials that cannot be emailed may be sent to:

Director, Center for Science and Democracy 
Union of Concerned Scientists c/o Witt/Kieffer 
Attention: Manny Berger and Brian Bloomfield 
25 Burlington Mall Road, Suite 605 
Burlington, MA 01803-4154 
(781) 272-8899