The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a Community Advocacy Director . Location of the selected candidate is flexible provided the location allows for effective and cost-efficient travel.
The Community Advocacy Director is responsible for effectively furthering the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) community public policy priorities through direct implementation and hands-on field consultation in markets with identified strategic need. You will also be responsible for employing or supporting, through strategic consulation, a range of public policy change tactics including campaign planning, implementation, legislation/regulation drafting, media, grassroots, grasstops and coalition development and management. Additional responsibilities include working with AHA staff, volunteers, coalitions and partner organizations to build support for AHA policy issues.
- Strategically coordinate and oversee all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns.
- Provide consultation services to AHA community staff such as: setting public policy priorities and goals; assessing the environment and assisting in the development of strategic campaign plans; reviewing and revising legislation/regulation; providing strategic campaign guidance; providing individualized trainings; or providing individualized resources (fact sheets, talking points, sample testimony, etc.); facilitating the sharing of best practices across the country.
- Provide policy research, development of support materials, recruiting of spokespersons, preparing testimony, and other activities as needed to advance the AHA’s public policy agenda.
- Participate in coalition efforts and other collaborative partnerships to leverage opportunities that advance the Association’s public policy priorities.
- Provide strategic direction on community grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention and mobilization efforts.
- Develop and implement strategic customized technical assistance plans necessary to successfully support community level public policy efforts.
- Serves as a liaison with partners and stakeholders to strengthen relationships and catalyze opportunities to advance the AHA’s community public policy priorities.
- Manage issue specific AHA grants which includes the hiring and supervision of staff and/or contractors.
- Assures compliance with lobbying requirements and prepares all necessary reporting across all markets.
Minimum of three (3) years of:
- Experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying
- Demonstrated experience building and managing issue advocacy coalition(s)
- Experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics
- Policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills
- Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning, budgeting, and managing work
- Exceptional oral and written communications skills.
- Must be able to travel overnight approx. 50% of the time.
Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:
- Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations
- Experience working in health care policy
- Experience in volunteer management
- Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems.