Description:
- The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit organization founded 50 years ago by scientists and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who sought to use the power of science to address global problems and improve people’s lives. Through technical analysis and effective advocacy, UCS works to develop and implement 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 Managing Director is a new position in the organization’s Food and Environment (F&E) Program. Staffed with a team of scientists, analysts, policy experts, and organizers, the F&E Program seeks to transform our food system such that it produces a sustainable, equitable, and healthy food system for all. This role is to ensure that the program strategy aligns with goals, and that its campaigns are executed in a manner that makes the best use of the team’s expertise and capacity.
- The position manages the day-to-day operations of the program. This includes the development and execution of program strategy and the core components of the program’s campaign – from analytical products to outreach and advocacy and leads the team in developing work that integrates a perspective of racial and economic justice into its approaches. The position engages in problem solving around relevant strategic questions, issues of substance, and matters of staff time prioritization and resource utilization.
- The Managing Director reports to the Program Director, represents UCS at public events and assists Program Director with fundraising responsibilities.
- Strong and demonstrated management skills at a senior level are essential, as is the ability to supervise staff, lead teams and manage complex strategic processes, and inspire high-performing teams to achieve exceptional outcomes. Position requires solid expertise in food and/or agricultural issues in their socioeconomic, political and environmental context. Understanding of, and commitment to, the importance of racial equity to effectively achieve program goals is essential.
- A Ph.D. degree* in any of any of agricultural, food, nutrition or public health science or policy areas is strongly preferred. At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.
- * LLM degree meets this requirement.