Environmental Scientist Job Openings

Development Program
Cambridge, MA

The Position

Under the supervision of the Director of Major Gifts, the Senior Major Gifts Officer (MGO) has responsibility for advancing the major gifts program through the successful identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention of major gift and planned gift prospects. As a key member of a team of 25 development professionals, the Senior MGO will manage a portfolio of $10k+ donors in an assigned region; developing and implementing customized major gift strategies for each assigned prospect/donor. Works closely and strategically with Planned Giving staff, the President, senior UCS staff, board members and volunteers. Monitors the progress of individual prospect plans for his/her portfolio of donors, and serves as a member of the leadership gifts team. Provides strategic guidance to the major gifts program.

In 2014, UCS’s operating revenues totaled over twenty-five million, with 82% of that coming from individual donors. The organization does not accept government funding and accepts limited funding from corporations.

Responsibilities

• Charged with broadening and deepening support from major donors for UCS.
• Responsible for a portfolio of 125-175 major gift prospects and donors with a focus in the New York metro area.
• Moves prospects through the stages of identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation in a strategic and efficient manner.
• Develops and executes customized prospect plans for new individuals in your region capable of making a $10k+ outright gift to UCS.
• Responsible for meeting and monitoring progress on revenue goals as well as goals for donor contact and activity that include 60-100 annual donor meetings, 200 personalized interactions, and 40-60 annual travel days (approximately 30% travel).
• Schedules, scripts, and leads donor visits and other individualized contact with prospects; guides and directs staff and board in cultivation and solicitation activity.
• Ensures timely, accurate input and management of prospect and donor information into the database.
• Develops persuasive proposals and reports to individual donors and family foundations.
• Upholds professional ethical standards of fundraising, as per Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics.

Qualifications and experience

• Requires seven to ten years of comparable and relevant development/fundraising experience with at least five to seven years in major/leadership giving.
• Demonstrated success in major gifts work, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors.
• Demonstrated success managing and prioritizing all tasks associated with major gifts work including writing successful and compelling proposals and making in-person gift solicitations.
• Proven ability to develop and implement a major gift prospecting plan to identify and qualify new major donors.
• Must demonstrate superior interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships with ease.
• Be energetic, intellectually curious, a strategic thinker and a good listener.
• Experience working with board members or lead volunteers required.
• Strong computer skills, including constituent databases are necessary (experience with Raiser’s Edge a plus).
• Ability to work independently and as a team player.
• General familiarity with planned giving a plus.
• Experience with Moves Management process preferred.
• Familiarity with and interest in UCS issues strongly preferred.
• Position requires bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred.

May spend extended periods at computer terminal. Must have current driver’s license and be able to travel nationally, including overnight trips. Travel equals roughly 30% of time.

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

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff particularlyto broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. UCS is committed to building a workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We've adopted this commitment because 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. We are actively seeking candidates who bring diversity of background and perspective to join us in this work.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time position based in UCS’s Cambridge, MA. Competitive salary for candidates who meet all position requirements. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about the organization is available at

Development Associate

Development Program
Cambridge, MA

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit whose scientists and engineers work to solve some of our planet’s most pressing environmental and safety problems. UCS combines technical analysis and effective organizing and advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for stemming the tide of global warming, sustainable food policy and agriculture, energy and transportation, fighting misinformation and reducing the threat of catastrophic nuclear war.