The Director, Advocacy will serve as the leader in their multi-state territory for the development of a robust and thriving network of grassroots and grasstops advocates, volunteers, patients and organizational partners, will represent the advocacy team on multi-disciplinary working groups within LLS, and will serve as the lead on developing special advocacy initiatives. The position will help lead the development of a nationwide groundswell of supporters for the LLS mission. This position will help increase the breadth and depth of engagement with grassroots and grasstops advocacy volunteers around the U.S.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Advocacy, the Director, Advocacy is tasked with recruiting, training, and managing strong advocacy networks within their multi-state geographic territory. Working closely with state and federal Government Affairs staff, chapter and campaign leadership, and mission staff, the Director, Advocacy will help to drive local involvement in activities supporting policies that remove access barriers to care and will serve as a representative for the advocacy team on national LLS working groups.
The Director, Advocacy will lead the rollout of the volunteer advocacy structure in their geographic area including the development and management of state-based advocacy committees/strike forces, state and chapter-based volunteer advocacy captains, and issue-based coalitions. The Director, Advocacy will principally be in charge of identifying individuals to fill the aforementioned roles, and provide substantive support and active management. Developing volunteers will also involve significant collaboration with LLS field, campaign, and donor development staff to ensure integration and efficiency of lead-sharing and opportunity cultivation.
The Director, Advocacy will take on a leadership role in developing new materials and strategies for use throughout the advocacy team.
Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement and Retention
- Recruit and implement volunteer-based advocacy networks in each region of the country utilizing tailored outreach opportunities and strategies.
- Identify, train and manage high-level volunteers to serve in leadership roles within state advocacy structure.
- Oversee recruitment, engagement and retention of volunteers for continued involvement in local, state and federal field and mission activities, media opportunities and other LLS activities.
- Identify and cultivate grassroots volunteers with potential/interest to move from on-line to off-line actions.
- Identify and build relationships with individuals willing to share their experiences with key decision makers and the media in support of LLS advocacy initiatives. Work with advocates to craft personal stories for maximum impact.
- Develop state based action alerts and online engagement campaigns, in consultation with the region’s Government Affairs Director and national e-Advocacy staff.
- Create and oversee appropriate volunteer training on policy issues and advocacy practices for all levels of involvement.
Relationship Building
- Build relationships with key congressional offices at both the federal and state levels, working in conjunction with the region’s Government Affairs Director and the Senior Director, Advocacy.
- Build strong partnerships with community patient advocacy organizations, professional healthcare associations, healthcare professional leaders and industry partners to identify potential coalition partners and areas for collaborations.
- Lead/develop/participate in coalitions with organizations with similar missions to enhance effectiveness of advocacy campaigns.
Mission Integration
- Represent the advocacy team in multi-disciplinary committees and work groups (e.g. volunteer development, marketing and communications, campaign integration).
- Develop relationships with campaign staff in local chapters and partner to appropriately infuse advocacy into LLS campaign events, including pre-campaign communication and follow up.
- Communicate LLS advocacy priorities, updates and engagement strategies to both internal and external stakeholders via multiple venues (email, blood cancer conferences, campaign events, presentations/trainings, etc.).
- Provide timely and concise OPP updates to all chapter executive directors and mission staff.
- Develop an understanding of core LLS offerings, disease incidence and research accomplishments, specifically within covered geographic territory.
Core partnerships:
- Government Affairs Director
- Build relationships with key legislative offices at both the federal and state levels, working in conjunction with the region’s Government Affairs Director and the Advocacy Senior Director.
- Support the work of the Federal Champions Program by developing relationships with key legislative offices and serving as the liaison for LLS chapter leadership and grass tops volunteers.
- Build strong partnerships with community patient advocacy organizations, professional healthcare associations, healthcare professional leaders and industry partners to identify potential coalition partners and areas for collaborations.
- Working in conjunction with Government Affairs Director develop a roadmap for advocacy and policy campaigns and volunteer engagement and recruitment strategy in the assigned region.
- Patient Access Managers and Volunteer Development Staff
- In collaboration with local Patient Access Managers (PAM) and volunteer development staff, ensure that local health care professionals and community-based organizations are educated about advocacy and policy opportunities for engagement.
- In collaboration with local PAM, identify/manage database of individuals willing to share their stories/access challenges with key decision makers, media, etc. in support of advocacy initiatives.
- Build strong partnerships with community patient advocacy organizations, professional healthcare associations, healthcare professional leaders and industry partners to identify potential coalition partners and areas for collaborations.
- Other Internal Collaborations
- The Director, Advocacy will work in collaboration with a number of other internal stakeholders, including Chapter based staff, Campaign team members, Marketing & Communications, Donor Development, Policy and Operations.
- Minimum of seven years of related work experience.
- Background in community/political organizing, electoral campaigns, other grassroots organization functions, and/or lobbying, with the ability to develop digital and in person advocate mobilization strategies. Previous political, policy or advocacy experience and advanced knowledge of state and federal legislative process required.
- Proven ability to identify, recruit, and develop strong working relationships with patients and volunteers.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships with community organizations and other advocacy groups.
- Knowledge, experience, and skills in management with emphasis on relationship and network building, organizational and volunteer development.
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written.Experience writing advocacy alerts or social media posts are a plus.
- Ability to conceptualize and articulate policy goals and advocacy opportunities.
- Ability to work independently, thrive under pressure, and simultaneously move multiple tasks forward at high level.
- Experience working collaboratively across multiple functions across an organization.
- Skilled in public speaking, particularly conveying complex policy issues in plain language.
- Strong problem-solving, priority-setting, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to travel within assigned multi-state territory and work flexible hours.