Manager, Program Operations

Manager, Program Operations

Permanent

Finance & Administration

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote/Hybrid – located near DC office

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. 

UCS’s Finance & Administration Department

The Finance and Administration department at the Union of Concerned Scientists supports the organization’s mission by ensuring we are stewarding resources with integrity, transparency, and care. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in justice, equity, and sustainability, the F&A department adheres to strong financial management rules and best practices, inclusive and people-centered operations, along with systems that empower staff to do impactful work. We partner with staff across the organization to build equitable processes, maintain fiscal responsibility, and create an internal infrastructure that reflects our values and advances lasting social and environmental change.

The Position

The Manager, Program Operations will leverage their skills and expertise to help support UCS programs with budgeting and finance-related functions/tasks while supervising the office operations team. In this role, the Manager, Program Operations will collaborate with the program director(s) and other leaders across UCS in ensuring UCS programs operate effectively and efficiently, including overseeing financial and administrative tasks from budgeting, expense management, contract management, people management, and facility use, including UCS offices, in coordination and collaboration with the Finance and Administration team. The right candidate will have financial and budget management skills and will show a clear, keen interest in UCS’ vision for a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by helping solve the world’s most urgent problems.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe that including diverse perspectives will improve our work and yield better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment, whether internally by building a welcoming workplace culture and/or externally by ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies, and others.

Responsibilities

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Lead program budget development, budget management, and expense management and tracking using the UCS budget management system, including reconciling budget records and actual expenses with finance on a regular basis.
• Review and approve program expenditures in the accounts payable system.
• Review and approve program travel and credit expenses in the travel and expense system.
• Lead training and support on budgeting for budget holders and/or approvers.
• Assist program staff with preparing and submitting financial documents and contracts to the Finance team.
• Lead in troubleshooting contracts, purchase records/invoices, and payments, etc., promptly as needed.
• Assist with proactively providing coordination and team management for the programs planning processes.
• In collaboration with People & Culture, assist hiring managers during hiring, orientation, and onboarding processes.
• With the Office operations team, support the coordination of all-program retreats and provide supplementary events, retreats, or other activities, as needed.
• In coordination with the Finance & Administration department teams, proactively and creatively work to streamline and optimize program operations processes and procedures.
• In collaboration with leadership, support effective program operations communication flows (upwards, downwards, and with other programs and departments).
• Provide supervisory leadership to the office operations team.
• Support the DC office Sr. Operations Coordinator with coordinating DC office facility needs, maintenance, security, mail management, etc.
• Manage special projects as needed or as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises other operations staff and consultants as needed.

Budget Authority

Supports the development and management of program budgets.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Five to seven years of relevant nonprofit financial and budget management.
• Experience with managing staff or consultants.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Handson experience with a budget management system/software (Experience with Martus preferred but not required).
• Self-motivation and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, including an ability to work both independently and in teams and to interact effectively with a range of people, including professionals who may be experts and/or prominent in their fields.
• Some project management and/or planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects for extended periods of time, and to be flexible in responding to fast-changing organizational needs.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the importance of racial equity to effectively achieve program goals.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

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

Physical Requirements

Little or no exertion may require extended periods at a computer. Very occasionally lifting and carrying heavy boxes.

Hours

Regular office hours may include occasional nights and weekends.

Travel

Occasional overnight travel is required.

Job descriptions are an active document and are meant to be updated regularly; duties may be added, deleted, changed, or modify to meet the needs of the position and the mission of the organization.

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 based near UCS’s Washington, DC office. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $109,232. 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.

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

Deadline

Until filled.