The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Based in Washington, DC with offices throughout the country, ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority.Under the guidance and supervision of the Vice President, State and Local Campaigns, this position will work with state coalitions and partners to execute the patient story collection strategies, and collaborate on communication strategies for the media and public for the Reframing Medicaid project. This position is part of a Project team charged with leveraging the assets and capabilities of ACS CAN to shift and reframe the perceptions of the role the Medicaid program in providing access to care for cancer patients, survivors, those with chronic diseases and those at risk with cancer and chronic diseases. The Medicaid State and Local Outreach Manager will help build a Medicaid story bank, providing a valuable asset for ACS CAN’s work to demonstrate the role of the Medicaid program in providing low-income families and individuals access to care. The Medicaid State and Local Outreach Manager will work in close collaboration with the Reframing Medicaid project team, including the: Project Director, Medicaid State and Local Campaign Manager, project team, ACS CAN’s national and field advocacy staff, including grassroots, media advocacy staff, and policy team.This is a grant-funded position, with funding secured from a foundation for an 18-month project.
- In collaboration with the Reframing Medicaid project team and media advocacy staff:
- Assist in the development and successful execution of a plan for identifying and collecting diverse stories from those that access health care through the Medicaid program;
- Support execution of a media plan to leverage these stories through various media channels;
- Identify, collect, produce and deploy stories in a story sharing campaign focused on Medicaid.
- Working with the Project team, ACS CAN national and field advocacy staff and others as appropriate, build relationships with national, state and local organizations who can contribute to the campaign’s story-collection efforts.
- Working with the media advocacy and the policy team use established ACS CAN criteria to vet the stories.
- Produce a collateral highlighting patient stories (digital and/or printed) for use in advocacy efforts to defend Medicaid at the federal and state levels. Tailor as appropriate to meet state campaign needs.
- Working with the Project Director, Medicaid State and Local Campaign Manager, Project team, ACS CAN national and field advocacy staff, and state external partners, develop and execute a strategy to disseminate Medicaid stories to national and state policymakers and influentials.
- Participate in state coalition strategy calls as appropriate to support and contribute to story banking strategies.
- Working with ACS CAN national policy staff and national and regional media advocacy staff and others as appropriate, develop and execute a strategy for identifying stories; including leading calls, training coalition and partner organizations on story collection, and best practices for vetting and sharing stories.
- Working with the media advocacy staff, prepare Medicaid stories for dissemination to members of the media.
- Working with the media advocacy and grassroots staff, package Medicaid stories to be shared on social media as part of a coordinated digital campaign.
- Incorporate stories into existing advocacy events such as coalition meetings, rallies, town hall/community meetings, briefings, hearings and other related meetings with policymakers.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Minimum of 7 years of public health or non-profit operational and project and budget management experience.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to adopt the style, tone, and voice accordingly when documenting people’s stories.
- Experience producing content for the web, as well as channel-specific knowledge (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
- Well-organized and detail oriented.
- Highly collaborative style.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with many different stakeholders and constituencies
- Knowledge of programs and initiatives available to low-income individuals and families.
- Experience working with low income individuals and families.
- Experience creating and executing communications and/or campaign/legislative plans.
- Experience creating and managing diverse coalitions.
- Ability to multi-task and can be flexible in performing tasks as priorities will change from time to time depending upon program changes
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Graphic design skills are a plus.
Demonstrates ACS CAN Legislative Analytics and Policy Competencies:
- Manages Complexity -Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Strategic Mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
- Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Organizational Savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
- Nimble Learning - Active learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
- Situational Adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
Other Skills:
- Campaign and media and communications strategic, development, production and management skills with the ability to respond to changing circumstances/priorities.
- Understanding of public policy and health insurance/Medicaid coverage.
- Demonstrated ability to work with coalitions and groups together to deliver results.
- Ability to manage internal and external collaborations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to handle difficult situations involving difficult people.
- Ability to handle multiple planned and unplanned projects, roles, and responsibilities.
- Persistent attention to detail, while maintaining an overall view of the situation.
- Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision.Demonstrated work ethic, integrity and professional conduct.Consistent ability to set and deliver against a work plan in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to communicate with volunteers, staff, and constituencies from multiple organizations, and to provide strategic guidance in a collaborative, consultative, and positive manner.
- Information research, analysis, and evaluation skills.
SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to travel (by car and/or airplane) frequently.
- Ability to complete work deliverables while traveling.
- Ability to juggle multiple initiatives at the same time.