Chief People Officer

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is a national organization founded 50 years ago by faculty 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. UCS’s founders knew that evidence-based decision-making would be critical to solving many challenges facing humankind. The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

The Chief People Officer (CPO) is responsible for developing and executing human capital strategy in support of the organization’s plan and strategic direction, specifically in employee relations, talent management, change management, performance management, training and development, compensation, and succession planning. Along with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) leadership, implements policies and practices to build and maintain a unified work culture that exemplifies UCS values to best position the organization in carrying out its mission. In coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, the CPO provides strategic leadership on human resource (HR) and organizational change initiatives while communicating effectively across the organization, through a lens supporting UCS justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) priorities.

This position will report directly to the President/CEO and serve on the Executive team. The CPO provides departmental leadership and oversight of the People and Culture(P&C) department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Drive and deliver a comprehensive People strategy aligned with UCS organizational strategy and culture and best practices.
• Participate as an active member of, and trusted advisor to, the Executive Team, the President, the Board, and key constituent groups.
• Lead through change: help shape organizational readiness for growth and implement change management strategies that provide support to staff.
• Provide oversight of the entire employee lifecycle and for ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture across the organization.
• Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet the staffing needs of UCS’s strategic goals and create a fully inclusive and diverse workplace that values the contributions of all staff, supports and promotes the creation of an anti-racist workplace culture, and organizational justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion values.
• Develop and maintain the annual People & Culture department budget.

Skills and Qualifications:

• MBA or MA/MS in human resources or related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years of executive HR experience with a company or organization of at least 100 full-time employees.
• Experience managing in a unionized environment
• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) or SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification is preferred.
• 7 -10 years of exemplary supervisory and leadership skills.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations, particularly those required in a unionized environment, and experience working with outside counsel.

Remote Position: Must be located in Eastern Time zone but preferably near Cambridge, MA or Washington, DC.

Salary Range: $220,000 to $240,000 – no relocation assistance offered.

Applications: Please submit your application to: https://driwaterstonehc.com/position/cpo-ucs/

DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of UCS.