The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a SENIOR DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS in our DENVER office. This position is responsible for supervising a team of Government Relations professionals in multiple states and overseeing multiple issue-based policy campaigns. In particular, he or she serves as a manager of Government Relations Directors in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, will manage a small issue-portfolio in Colorado, and serve as a consultant on obesity prevention, tobacco control, and systems of care policy. THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MUST RESIDE IN THE DENVER AREA
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Campaign Management
- Serve as Supervisor of Campaign Managers for issue-based policy campaigns focused on obesity prevention, tobacco control, and systems of care policy campaigns at the state and local level.
- Manage all aspects of strategic policy campaigns, including internal reporting, budget management, and media and grassroots strategy.
- Serve as campaign liaison to statewide and national partner organizations.
- This person will work in coordination with the Senior Grassroots Director to ensure seamless coordination with the state and local policy campaigns in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
- Serve as a member of the SouthWest Affiliate Senior Advocacy Team.
- This person will adhere to American Heart Association policies and reporting for lobbying, advocacy, ethics reporting, budget management, grant report management, as well as campaign guidelines.
- He or she will oversee the successful passage state and local level policies that further the mission of the American Heart Association and defeat those that would hinder our mission.
- He or she will generate all reports necessary to update the American Heart Association and its partners on the status of issue based policy campaigns.
Coalition Engagement
- Foster relationships with stakeholders and community organizations.
- Oversee recruitment of local community and civic leaders, as well as members of priority populations to participate in obesity prevention and smoke free environment policy campaigns.
- Work with field staff and coalition members to identify new opportunities to collaborate with city departments and agencies, public health officials, local business leaders, universities, community-based organizations to promote coalition’s goals.
- Identify strategic alliances throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, and create synergetic relationships with them.
- This person will lead efforts to engage coalition members and work in coordination with their staff.
- He or she will successfully oversee relationships that furthers the mission and policy agenda of the American Heart Association.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Director, State Policy Initiatives and Vice President of Government Relations.
- 5+ years work experience in government relations or a related field
- 3+ years management experience in government relations or related field
- 3+ years of volunteer management experience
- Strategic campaign planning practices, preference for training in the Midwest Academy model
- Experience with key leaders, state and local government processes in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming and community groups and influencers
- Coalition development and management
- Grant reporting and budget management
- Managing group and individual dynamics
- Persuading and motivating stakeholders
- Ability to function independently with minimal supervision
- High attention to detail
- Multi-tasking ability and the proven ability to meet deadlines on a consistent basis
- Ability to work in a team environment and interact with all levels of American Heart Association staff, volunteers and the public
- Proven experience and willingness to work in an atmosphere requiring flexibility and change
- Ability to transport materials and other supplies to and from meetings and events
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and, as needed, outside standard business hours
- Ability to work evenings/weekends and travel when necessary
- Expertise in creating documents in MS Office Suite
- Must pass Criminal and DMV background checks
Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do.