Chief People Officer

Chief People Officer 

TERM:  Permanent 

People & Culture Department 

Union of Concerned Scientists 

Remote – EST required 

Bargaining Unit Position: No 

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.  

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. 

Ensure the organization’s P&C policies, processes, and practices are clear and align with applicable laws and regulations, organizational culture, organizational policies, and JEDI values.  

 Oversee employee relations matters, ensuring the P&C team addresses grievances in a timely and equitable manner that is in line with organizational values, policies, and procedures.  

 Approach risk management proactively, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory matters impacting the delivery of HR services (e.g., annual sexual harassment training, 403(b) audit, EEO-1 reporting).  

Manage the design and administration of competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent. Drive compensation and promotion practices to ensure equity and transparency.  

 Ensure performance management processes and team morale initiatives are consistently applied and align with organizational goals and cultural principles.  

Design and implement strategies to promote employee well-being and maintain a culture that aligns with organizational cultural principles.  

Oversee the effective and successful implementation of the collective bargaining agreement across the organization.  

Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting, retention, and training & development strategy to meet organizational needs and UCS’s strategic goals while creating a fully inclusive workplace The CPO is directly responsible for the People and Culture department, managers and directors across the organization, and indirectly for all employees. 

Qualifications/Experience 

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. 

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, 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.  

This is a full-time remote position based in the EST. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $220,000-$240,000. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.  

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.  

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. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment. 

Deadline: Until filled