Communications Partnership Strategist

Communications Partnership Strategist

Permanent

Communications

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

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 misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet. 

• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 
• Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions. 
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

UCS’s Communications Program

We are actively seeking a creative, entrepreneurial professional to build communications partnerships with organizations and individuals (e.g., actors, artists, writers, musicians, athletes, and other influencers, etc.). The goal of partnership activities will be to build awareness of (and engagement among) younger, ethnically diverse, politically engaged audiences with the ultimate goal of attracting new supporters (donors, activists, and followers). Reporting to the Director of Communications Strategy, you will be instrumental in developing and executing strategic communications initiatives at the intersection of science and justice.

You will also be a leader in providing communications strategy and overarching support for one UCS campaign to help achieve greater impact through strategic visibility and engagement tactics.

The Position

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

Brand Partnerships Leader and Doer (50%)
Identify, establish, and manage mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships with peer organizations and individuals (e.g. actors, artists, writers, musicians, athletes, and other influencers, etc.) that build awareness of and engagement with UCS among ethnically diverse communities with the ultimate goal of attracting new supporters (donors, activists, and followers) and raising organizational visibility.

• Develop and implement audience-specific brand communications efforts that resonate and strengthen our name recognition with target audiences.
• Working with the creative team (and relevant program staff), develop and execute digital engagement materials to enhance the visibility and reach of the UCS brand.
• Work closely with the digital team to target and test approaches with specific audiences (age, ethnicity, geography) via earned and paid means, particularly on social media platforms to effectively communicate and resonate with target demographics.
• Leverage, promote, and help coordinate UCS resources, training, and presentations central to brand identity, such as best practices for countering disinformation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (comms, development, program stakeholders) to execute creative products and ensure seamless integration of marketing strategies with overall organizational and goals.
• Execute projects methodically from start to finish with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring the highest quality of deliverables, inclusive of event logistics when necessary and tracking results.

Cross-channel Communications Strategy (50%)
Working with one UCS campaign (that has significant overlap with cross-programmatic Disinformation work), offer broad and sustained communications guidance and strategy to campaigns, around audience, message, values, and timing of communications activities.

• Schedules and facilitates quarterly strategy meetings with campaign director/manager (and key campaign staff if needed for specific projects) + comms team assigned to the issue area. Ensures meetings map out top 3-4 upcoming priority activities, analyses, and leverage points over the next six months. If there’s a lack of leverage points, identifies, and fills gaps to ensure a regular drumbeat of campaign visibility/engagement.
• Drafts and updates a six-month campaign communications strategy at least quarterly in collaboration with comms team members and campaign colleagues. Ensures the right mix of analyses, earned media, creative formats, engagement opportunities, and marketing channels are considered to advance key strategies, reach key audiences, and achieve project goals.
• Serves as primary contact for campaign/program staff for all cross-channel communications projects and helps troubleshoot who can best help within communications whenever odd requests arise (not inclusive of single-channel work).
• Stays abreast of campaign activities and metrics/impacts of communications activities.

Other Duties as Assigned include but are not limited to:

• Maintains understanding of UCS issues and positions.
• Maintain awareness of role as representative of UCS; ensure activities and statements enhance organization’s reputation and credentials among press, public, and private sectors; promote UCS; advance organizational objectives; and enhance funding opportunities.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• This position requires 5-7 years of experience in marketing and/or campaign communications.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, or related field preferred
• Proven experience in developing strong collaborations and partnerships, particularly with ethnically diverse and politically engaged communities, preferably in an advocacy setting. A strong track record of fostering relationships among ethnically diverse communities and politically engaged networks.
• Demonstrated success in engaging diverse audiences through digital marketing and social media platforms.
• Excellent project management skills, with a keen attention to detail and the ability to set and meet deadlines and keep all team members informed and well-coordinated.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse communities.
• Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

If you are passionate about science and justice, have led campaign communications strategy, have a proven track record establishing and cultivating creative and impactful communications partnerships, possess experience in engaging diverse audiences, and bring a deep well of creative ideas, we encourage you to apply and contribute to the success of the UCS mission.

WORK SCHEDULE

Occasional work on nights, weekends, and will be on call at certain times throughout the year.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional domestic overnight travel 2-3 times/year. 

KEYWORDS

Marketing partnerships, communications, brand marketing, campaigns, advocacy,

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.

Benefits

Details:

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $80,531 to $90,600. 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.

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 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.