Senior Gift Officer, Henry Kendall Society

Senior Gift Officer, Henry Kendall Society

Permanent

Development

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: No

*The expected start date for this role will be after July 16th, 2025*

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.

UCS's Development Program

Supervised by the Director of Membership, the Senior Henry Kendall Society Gift Officer exists to lead the management, stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation of the Henry Kendall Society (HKS), UCS's mid-level giving society, with the goal of retaining the existing retention rate of 75% or higher year over year, growing the donor universe, and increasing revenue. The Henry Kendall Society is comprised of 4,300+ donors giving $1,000 - $24,999 a year and cumulatively raises $7M annually. In addition to stewardship and cultivation, donor research, qualification, and solicitation are areas of focus as this position will be building out an active portfolio, with a focus on leadership donors and family foundations in the giving ranges of $5,000-$24,999 or donors with the researched capacity and inclination toward increased lifetime giving (including Major Gift or Planned Giving-level support) in the coming years. This position will also manage and mentor an Associate Gift Officer who is primarily responsible for stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation of UCS donors who donate in the giving ranges of $1,000 - $4,999 annually through a mix of channels.

The Position

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

Responsibilities

Develop goals and strategy for overarching HKS program:

• Partner with the Membership Director in proposing, developing, and adopting programs that will retain current HKS members and attract new society members.
• Contribute to and co-author annual work plans for the HKS program.
• Help develop HKS yearly revenue and membership goals, reporting back regularly.
• Manage and mentor Associate HKS Gift Officer, providing support, resources, and autonomy to fulfill their role and meet performance-based, professional development, and JEDI-related goals.

Implement targeted development strategies for individual portfolio of HKS donors:

• With Associate Gift Officer, Membership Society Coordinator, and the Membership Director and in collaboration with the Major Gifts (MG), Planned Gifts (PG), and Events & Engagement (E&E) teams review and update individual donor portfolios, stewardship matrix, and cultivation plan at least annually.
• Additionally, manage a portfolio of grant-making organizations and family foundations to meet submission and report guidelines with support as needed from the Foundations team.
• Develop persuasive donor communications materials, proposals and reports to individual donors, family foundations, grant making organizations, meeting all deadlines.
• Scope and develop solicitation strategies for upgrades for portfolios members.
• As requested by the program and other Development department staff, approve efforts to contact portfolio members with personalized requests for advocacy actions.

Implement broad outreach strategies for the entire universe of HKS donors:

• Work with the Membership team to review and edit regularly scheduled direct mail and digital renewal and upgrade solicitations.
• Manage the Associate HKS Gift Officer and collaborate with Membership Society Coordinator to oversee the stewardship for all HKS members for new gifts through (calls, emails and note cards).
• In addition to assigned portfolios, solicit targeted populations of lapsing and lapsed donors, and downgraded donors, in the larger HKS universe through individual phone calls, emails, and letters.
• Collaborate with Events and Engagement team to develop content, coordinate invitations, facilitate production of online and offline communications with members of the Kendall Society, and occasionally staff events with Kendall Society members; event offerings may include in-person and virtual programs.

Execute CRM (constituent relationship management) database and administration routines

• Working closely with Development Database Operations, oversee the work of the Associate HKS Gift Officer and support the work of the Membership Society Coordinator to maintain accuracy of HKS donor records in CRM databases; enter records, actions, and reminders based on contacts with donors, and update required database maintenance forms to log expected duplicate or inaccurate records.
• Use donor surveys, research, analytical data and other date reporting tools to determine strategies for targeted cultivation and solicitation of Society members and prospects with high engagement interest and/or giving potential.
• Support efforts to ensure quality of Annual Report listings of HKS donor population.

Other duties as assigned:

Up to 20% of any individual job may contain work that is not specifically listed in this document. This may reflect temporary assignments, individual professional development opportunities including but not limited to:*

• Attend relevant fundraising conferences; report back on findings and adapt strategies derived from peer organizations in retention and acquisition practices.
• Find/join relevant courses to strengthen foundational understanding of fundraising.
• Handle, maintain and safeguard confidential data.
• Manage fluctuating workload.
• Maintain and update knowledge of UCS programs, goals, and priorities, including JEDI initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS
• Consider impact of activities on organization reputation and credentials in public and private sectors
• Advance organizational objectives and enhance funding opportunities.

People Management Authority

Fosters a positive work culture based on organizational values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Responsible for hiring, assigning work, directing, managing, and evaluating performance for the Associate Gifts Officer, Henry Kendall Society. Helps lead weekly/biweekly Henry Kendall Society meetings with broader team and meets with direct report(s) at least twice a month to discuss needs and to support their work.

Qualifications and Experience

• Seven or more years of fundraising experience, including experience with direct donor contact and in-person solicitation, as well as knowledge of donor tracking systems.
• A goal and results orientation is required, as is an interest and desire to excel in frontline fundraising.
• Possess the following key characteristics: a high degree of initiative, strategic agility, ability to deal with ambiguity, quality decision making, collaborative spirit, persistence, and creativity.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, and a desire to initiate and engage in conversations with donors regarding their giving priorities and UCS activities.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, including the ability to anticipate tasks, manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and function smoothly under strict deadlines and shifting priorities with thorough attention to detail and follow-through
• The ability to learn about and work with a complex donor database, and learn, retain, and utilize complex data entry routines and rules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software a plus, as is a commitment to the environment and interest in UCS issue areas. Prior experience working with complex CRM or Donor databases is preferred but not required.

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

Physical Requirements

Little or no exertion and may require extended periods at a computer.

Hours

Regular office hours

Travel

This position is eligible for remote work, with occasional travel to UCS's headquarters in Cambridge, MA, possible. Zero to 5 days of overnight travel may be required per year.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. 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.

Details:

*The expected start date for this role will be after July 16th, 2025*

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $106,567.82. 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 of 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 NOT 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. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.