The California Director of Government Affairs ("Director") leads and supports the five California chapters (California Southland, Central, Northern California/Northern Nevada, Orange County and San Diego/Imperial) in their year-round advocacy program to achieve positive legislative, budgetary and regulatory changes on behalf of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The director is the statewide representative of the Alzheimer’s Association at the capitol and serves as primary point person to the Governor’s Administration, State Legislature, key departments (including Aging, Health Care Services, Public Health and Social Services) and the broad health, aging and disability stakeholder community. The director provides oversight of State Policy Office, including budget and personnel.
This is a full-time position, located in Sacramento, California, and reports to the Regional Leader.
Government Relations
- Register as a lobbyist and initiate, support, amend and/or defend public policies (legislative, regulatory or budget action). As needed, oppose public policies that may harm constituents.
- Build and maintain relationships with elected/appointed officials and their staff, including personal staff, committee staff and consultants.
- Develop strategies and tactics to achieve results, including drafting legislation, budget and regulatory language; identifying key champions and potential opponents; building coalition support; and adhering to deadlines.
State Advocacy
- Engage chapter leadership, staff and volunteers in issue identification and prioritization.
- Facilitate annual planning session to develop public policy platform and advocacy agenda.
- Direct collective and individual chapter efforts with state officials and stakeholders.
- Lead annual state advocacy day at the capitol and activities related to Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month including introducing legislative resolution.
Strategic Plan Implementation
- Engage chapter staff and volunteers to further the organizational mission and achieve measurable results as defined by the strategic implementation plan.
- Seek opportunities to integrate all pillars of the organizational mission: research, programs and services, public policy, fund development and diversity and inclusion.
- Participate in staff leadership development and public policy training opportunities to effectively communicate and deliver expected results.
- Promote and comply with all aspects of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM).
Concern and Awareness
- Promote Alzheimer’s Association through paid, earned, and social media.
- Solid understanding of health policy, aging services and/or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Extensive knowledge of California state government processes and functions.
- Ability to represent the Alzheimer’s Association to external audiences, demonstrating non-partisanship, sensitivity and inclusion.
- Experience working with diverse communities and ability to demonstrate inclusiveness.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Superior organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Sound judgment and political acumen.
- Office and personnel supervisory experience.
- Familiarity with computer hardware and software systems and experience using Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Commitment to collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Personal Characteristics and Other Requirements
- Motivated, self-starter willing to take initiative.
- Ability to work independently with little direction.
- Ability to drive as necessary to work activities.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Ability to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Frequent local and occasional out of town travel.