Union of Concerned Scientists
Membership Director

Cambridge, MA
September 2010

About Union of Concerned Scientists

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. What began as a collaboration between students and faculty members at MIT in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 300,000 citizens and scientists that includes people from all walks of life: parents and businesspeople, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.

UCS strives for a future that is free from the threats of global warming and nuclear war and a planet that supports a rich diversity of life. Its specific focus areas include global warming, renewable energy, advanced vehicle technology, nuclear power safety, nuclear weapons and related security issues, preserving the integrity of science, and sustainable agriculture.

The staff experts at UCS are highly respected in both Washington , DC , and state capitals, and are frequently called to testify before government committees. UCS collaborates with respected researchers across the world and together with concerned citizens, actively engages policymakers, the media, and other organizations to extend the reach of its work and drive positive change.

The Opportunity

Reporting to Chief Development Officer, David Whalen, the Membership Director is a senior member of the development department and leads UCS's strategy to engage its more than 73,000 members that contribute approximately $5.6M annually. UCS currently raises 98% of its $21M operating budget through private fundraising (membership, major gifts and foundation support) and the membership program serves as its primary donor acquisition tool. Therefore, the Director will lead and manage all membership and activist oriented fundraising by UCS and is responsible for the continued growth and efficiency of the program. The UCS membership program currently boasts the highest member retention rate amongst peer environmental organizations and has seen significant revenue growth in the last ten years. However, due to its success in building a loyal membership base, UCS now finds itself at a crossroads as to how to take the program to an even more effective level using donor marketing best practices as well as testing cutting edge techniques. The Director will create a strategy to continue expanding the membership program through innovative online strategies, including e-communications, web marketing and social media, while continuing to strengthening the returns from more traditional direct marketing avenues (direct mail, telemarketing, etc).

In addition to working with his/her colleagues in the Development department, the Director will collaborate with Kevin Knobloch, President of UCS, as well as program staff in each of the core mission areas, to develop content for creative, timely, membership marketing materials. S/he will develop and execute a donor marketing plan that includes direct mail, online giving, and telemarketing with expense and revenue projections for each program. The Director will drive revenue enhancement through member acquisition, segmentation, and upgrade strategies for current donors as well as targeted appeals to lapsed members. The Director also works closely with the Major Gifts and Stewardship staff to coordinate communication with donors at all levels, while continually identifying segments of the membership who are major gift prospects and need further cultivation. The Director will serve as the primary liaison to direct marketing vendors (direct mail, online and telemarketing) and be responsible for approving all content, overseeing the schedule of solicitations, and ensuring the timely and cost effective implementation of all donor appeals. The Director will also supervise two full time staff members: the Membership Manager and Membership Coordinator.

In addition to his/her development duties, the Director will oversee the UCS public interest inquiry system, whereby members have the privilege of directly communicating with UCS experts (via the membership office) regarding UCS findings, publications and policy information. The membership office receives hundreds of inquiries per month, and with the support of the Membership staff, manage a triage system that ensure that each member receives a timely response, while identifying and prioritizing requests and inquiries that may require special attention or handling.

Responsibilities

The Membership Director will:

•  Raise over $5.6M annually through direct mail, online giving and telemarketing.

•  Develop cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for all donor marketing programs

•  Create an innovative, analytics-driven, donor marketing plan the includes direct mail, telegiving and online giving programs

•  Develop revenue and expense projections for all programs and manage related budgets and timeline

•  Edit and coordinate the approval and production of all membership materials; take the lead in writing select donor solicitations

•  Collaborate with UCS staff experts to develop compelling, activist/donor appeal themes and stories

•  Employ innovative marketing principles to acquire, upgrade, steward and re-engage donors and prospects

•  As a member of the senior development team, participate in annual planning activities that support the implementation of the current UCS Strategic Plan

•  Supervise a small team of development professionals

•  Manage direct mail and telemarketing vendors to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service

•  Survey the marketplace regularly to identify vendors with the highest quality and added value for UCS membership program

•  Develop strategies to increase online giving and use of social media for member engagement

•  Oversee all membership services and supporting staff, ensuring efficient management of the UCS public interest inquiry system

Qualifications

Fundraising and Donor Marketing

•  5-7 years of increasingly responsible fundraising experience with direct and digital marketing (e.g. telemarketing, direct mail, web-based, email, social networking, etc.)

•  Demonstrated understanding of how to effectively utilize direct and online marketing tools for member acquisition and retention

•  Strong strategic thinking and planning experience that effectively incorporates the resources of talent across the organization and maximizes the appeals calendar and membership benefits structure

•  Excellent writing and editorial skills

•  Knowledge of industry best-practice approaches to donor marketing as well as industry trends and innovations

•  Superior analytical skills, and demonstrated ability to use data and demographics to grow a membership program

•  Ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines

Management and Planning

•  Consistency in meeting or exceeding goals

•  Ability to work collaboratively with a team as well as independently

•  Effective vendor management skills

•  Strong organization skills and attention to detail

Values

•  A demonstrated interest and commitment to advocating for a healthy environment and safer world

•  Strong work ethic and initiative

•  Entrepreneurial spirit

Email cover letter and resume in confidence to:

UCSmembership@developmentguild.com

Jennifer Musso

Consultant
Development Guild/DDI
233 Harvard Street, Suite 107
Brookline, MA 02446-5017

For more information about the Union of Concerned Scientists, please visit www.ucsusa.org