About the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) advances human rights and social justice around the world by partnering with grassroots movements to confront oppression and co-create a more just future. Rooted in Unitarian Universalist values and sustained by a global community of members, partners, congregations, and activists, UUSC works alongside those most affected by injustice — following their lead as they define and dismantle the systems that harm them. Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the conviction that every person carries inherent power and dignity, UUSC's approach is not charity but partnership: shifting resources — and power — to frontline communities building transformative movements for change.
We advance global solutions for justice, built upon international collaboration and partnership with grassroots groups.
UUSC's story begins with an act of extraordinary moral courage. In 1939, Rev. Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp, a Unitarian minister and social worker from Massachusetts, traveled to Nazi-occupied Europe to help refugees escape persecution — work for which they were later named "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, the second and third individuals among only five Americans ever so honored. That founding spirit has animated more than eight decades of bold action: supporting exploited farmworker communities in Texas in the 1940s, testifying before Congress on human rights violations in Central America in the 1970s, mobilizing famine relief in Ethiopia before the crisis reached U.S. headlines, winning a landmark international campaign for the human right to water, and leading a decade-long earthquake recovery effort in Haiti. Wherever human dignity and power are at stake, UUSC has shown up — early, and in solidarity.
Today, UUSC works at the intersection of the defining crises of our time, focusing on four interconnected areas: climate justice, migration solidarity, humanitarian crisis response, and democracy and civil liberties. Through advocacy—including the newly established 501(c)(4) arm, the Human Rights Action Network—grantmaking and partner support, research, and strategic communications, UUSC resources and amplifies grassroots leaders rather than substituting for them.
Rooted in solidarity, committed to deep and lasting change.
UUSC’s recent impact includes:
- Supporting Pacific Island youth activists in a historic campaign that secured a UN General Assembly resolution and a landmark 2025 International Court of Justice advisory opinion affirming that nations must protect the climate and compensate for harms.
- Bringing evidence of U.S. human rights abuses before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
- Defending the rights of people in migration across Central America.
- Sustaining a 25-year partnership with grassroots movements in Burma.
- Supporting a new initiative convening international momentum around Democracy and Gender Justice.
- Expanding its Eastern European network of community-led organizations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
At a moment when democracy, human rights, and the climate are under unprecedented pressure, UUSC offers something rare: a values-driven institution with the history, credibility, and partnerships to meet the moment — and a vision of a world rooted in self-determination, dignity, and collective liberation.
UUSC connects you more deeply to human rights movements for change.
We invite everyone who wants to build a better world: Join hands with us. Our dynamic and impactful work threads together justice education, member advocacy, and financial support — all to bolster grassroots communities in their struggle to expand social justice.
Read our Guiding Principles and learn more about UUSC at https://www.uusc.org/.
The Opportunity
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a historic organization that is financially healthy, deeply trusted by its partners, and highly respected across the global human rights community. The organization holds strong reserves and a robust and engaged donor pipeline and community that trusts UUSC and actively encourages it to take bold risks. The next President and Lead Executive Officer (LEO) will build on this strength to position UUSC for its next chapter.
The LEO transition coincides with a time for renewal of UUSC’s strategic plan, giving the next leader the opportunity to co-create a strategic vision and plan with the Board, team, donors, and partners — clarifying priorities and identifying where UUSC can make the greatest impact.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the LEO will provide strategic leadership and overall oversight of UUSC's planning, operations, and organizational management. Working in close partnership with the senior executive team—including the Vice President and Lead Program Officer, the Vice President and Lead Development Officer, and the Vice President and Lead Financial Officer—the LEO will guide the organization's mission, strategy, and performance. The LEO will cultivate and sustain strong relationships across the human rights sector, with individual supporters and institutional funders, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and key advocacy, policy, and multilateral institutions. Leading an organization with a current annual budget of $16M and a staff of 48, the LEO will ensure UUSC remains mission- and values-driven, financially sustainable, and positioned for long-term impact while managing risk and emergent challenges.
Key areas of focus and responsibilities for the LEO include:
Visionary & Strategic Leadership
The LEO will collaborate with staff and Board in developing and communicating a compelling vision, message, and clear, measurable plans of action that advance UUSC's mission and inspire constituents to pursue bold, justice-centered change. With an understanding of the movement toward authoritarian rule both globally and domestically, the LEO will guide UUSC in positioning itself strategically within the evolving human rights landscape and focusing on areas where UUSC will have greatest impact.
Human Rights & Values-Based Leadership
The LEO must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to human rights, equity, justice, and inclusion. They will lead with integrity, humility, and courage, ensuring organizational decisions and culture reflect UUSC's values while advancing systemic change. They will bring the conviction and resilience to lead during periods of heightened political polarization and external threats, standing firmly in defense of UUSC’s values and the communities it serves, and remaining grounded in partnership with those most impacted by injustice.
Fundraising & Strategic Relationship Building
Fundraising is central to UUSC’s model, and the LEO will embrace resourcing the mission as core to the role — traveling extensively to build donor relationships, stewarding UUSC’s exceptional major-donor and legacy-giving base, and positioning the organization for an evolving funding profile: expanding foundation and institutional fundraising, re-engaging congregations, reaching progressive faith communities beyond Unitarian Universalism, and cultivating the next generation of supporters through new giving models.
Executive & Organizational Stewardship
The LEO will provide decisive leadership and guidance across operations, finance, governance, and human resources, balancing mission-driven innovation with sound organizational management to ensure long-term sustainability and organizational effectiveness. The LEO will bring demonstrated management experience—including the ability to manage managers—financial and operational acumen, and the ability to align people, resources, and priorities in support of the mission. The LEO will foster a coaching culture and will honor and build on UUSC’s long-standing, genuinely positive partnership with its staff union through authentic pro-labor leadership.
Collaborative Leadership & External Influence
An engaging public speaker, the LEO will effectively represent the organization across UU congregations, philanthropy, media, and public forums, inspiring engagement and building relationships that expand UUSC’s reach, influence, and impact. The successful leader will bring credibility within advocacy circles and the ability to cultivate relationships across philanthropy, government, multilateral institutions, and grassroots movements. Success at UUSC hinges on a deeply collaborative approach: the LEO builds consensus, listens actively, and leads with strength that is neither rigid nor top-down.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that may set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience and skill outlined in this position description, ideal candidates will demonstrate much of the following:
The LEO will bring vision, agility, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to justice and human rights, particularly in the face of increasing global authoritarianism. They will be fearless in promoting UU ideals and practicing solidarity with individuals and communities impacted by injustice. The LEO will possess the courage, conviction, and strategic capabilities required to stand up to forces threatening human rights today while inspiring others to act.
The LEO does not need to be a Unitarian Universalist but must offer a genuine willingness to learn and appreciation and respect for the strength provided by both UU origins and values. Ideally, this leader will also have experience working within or alongside communities where faith is a driver of social action.
Other desired skills, experiences, and characteristics include:
- Strong management and leadership skills, with senior leadership experience in a comparably complex organization—spanning budgets, HR, dispersed teams, and Board engagement—with the ability to bring rigor to structures, policies, and processes without micromanaging.
- A highly collaborative, values-and trust-based approach to leadership and relationship building with a commitment to deep listening and soliciting diverse perspectives.
- Humility and deep respect for and knowledge of movement building and grassroots leadership, recognizing that those closest to injustice are best positioned to shape lasting solutions.
- A proactive, seasoned approach to fundraising with demonstrated success securing major gifts and building long-term donor relationships, as well as ability to expand into new arenas, including foundation and institutional fundraising.
- Outstanding communications skills, with the ability to authentically connect with people across spaces and generations—from UU congregations and emerging leaders to longtime supporters, major donors, policymakers, and global partners—and confidently represent UUSC from the pulpit to the global stage.
- Significant global human rights knowledge and experience, with the cultural competence and sound judgment to lead effectively across diverse international contexts, including regions affected by conflict, political instability, or heightened security risks, while supporting locally led human rights efforts.
- Previous experience working in a unionized environment and building collaborative relationships with organized labor is highly desirable.
- High energy, resilience, humor, and optimism in the face of demanding work, paired with authenticity, integrity, and a deep commitment to equity and anti-racism.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $300,000-$350,000, commensurate with experience. UUSC offers a generous benefits package.
UUSC is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Substantial travel, both domestic and international, for fundraising and partner meetings is required. Currently, all senior managers and many other team members live in the greater Boston area, and most staff work a hybrid schedule that includes at least one day a week in the office. The LEO can work remotely but will be expected to attend regular, in-person meetings in Cambridge with the team (at least monthly, and more frequently during the first year of employment). For remote candidates, an East Coast location with relatively easy travel to Boston is strongly preferred.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan and Sarah Avendaño. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential. The application deadline is September 23, 2026. Applications received after this date will be reviewed but may not be prioritized.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
UUSC is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.