The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Office of Public Policy (OPP) seeks a dynamic and effective leader to work closely with all functional areas within OPP to create and execute advocacy communications strategies advancing the organization’s policy agenda. This agenda is focused on protecting and promoting access to meaningful health insurance coverage, including the preservation of key patient protections established by the Affordable Care Act; securing reductions in the cost burden that patients encounter when accessing cancer care; and accelerating the development and approval of new, meaningful treatment options. The Senior Director, Advocacy Communications will work in very close coordination with LLS’s corporate communications and marketing departments, located in Rye Brook, NY, to ensure consistency and alignment.
- Lead the development and execution of OPP’s advocacy communications strategies and tactics, in support of state and federal policy campaigns.
- Serve as OPP’s primary point of contact for LLS’s corporate communications team, working proactively to maintain and grow the partnership between the two departments.
- Manage OPP’s advocacy communications team, including external vendors/contractors.
- In coordination with LLS’s corporate communications team, build and maintain strong relationships with reporters covering the intersection of health care and politics, working to ensure that LLS is considered a “must have” source on policy matters.
- Produce advocacy communications collateral, including press releases, message points, letters to the editor, op-eds, contributions to the LLS blog and website, and – with support from the senior manager, digital advocacy – content for OPP’s social media platforms. Develop templates for team use.
- Manage OPP’s day-to-day response to breaking news that’s relevant to the organization’s policy priorities, coordinating as appropriate with LLS’s corporate communications team.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with communications staff for key allies. Collaborate to advance shared advocacy communications goals and strategies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with communications staff for key policymakers, coordinating as appropriate with OPP’s government affairs leads.
- Brief and prepare OPP staff and volunteers before media interviews regarding state and federal policy issues, producing briefing materials and other supporting documents as needed. Provide the same support for members of LLS’s executive and senior leadership teams, as requested by LLS’s corporate communications team.
- Design and deliver advocacy communications training for OPP staff as needed and, working in partnership with OPP’s grassroots advocacy team, for OPP volunteer advocates.
- Minimum of 8 years’ experience working in the advocacy communications field, ideally in support of a mission-driven, healthcare-focused organization.
- Extensive experience engaging with members of the media, especially media focused on politics and policy. Proven success in securing earned media.
- Robust knowledge of the operations of the media, including print, online, social, blogs, and broadcast.
- Experience working across multiple functions within an organization to achieve shared goals.
- Excellent communication skills: be well-spoken and write and edit proficiently and quickly.
- Strong understanding of the major policy debates relevant to the LLS mission and a working knowledge of state and federal governmental processes.
- Commitment to acting as a team player. An ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Knowledge on how best to communicate with diverse groups and work with multicultural colleagues. Sensitivity to and appreciation for cultural differences.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.