Job Description
This is satisfying and challenging work that makes a real difference in people's lives. We are where you can achieve professional growth with personal fulfillment. We are where you can connect people to making a lifesaving impact. We are where you can partner with individuals, schools, lawmakers, healthcare providers and others to ensure everyone has access to healthier lifestyle choices and proper healthcare. The American Heart Association is where you can make an extraordinary impact.
The Great Rivers Affiliate has an excellent opportunity for a Government Relations Director based in Columbus, OH.
The Government Relations Director, reporting to the Ohio Senior Government Relations Director, serves as a player and representative of the American Heart Association to the Ohio state legislature, agencies, various public policy coalitions, and other partner organizations for the purposes of achieving the AHA's public policy priority goals. Works with volunteers and staff to develop and implement strategic issue advocacy campaign plans, including direct lobbying, media advocacy, and grassroots support for AHA's state and local legislative priorities. Assists in developing grassroots support for AHA's federal issues.
Major Responsibilities
Works with internal and external partners to develop strategic issue advocacy plans that incorporate direct lobbying, media advocacy, grassroots advocacy, and coalition building tactics.
Supports all aspects of implementing comprehensive issue advocacy campaign plans; and of state legislative and regulatory program, including the development of support materials, development of testimony and correspondence, preparation for meetings and hearings.
Meets one on one with elected officials, including members of the legislature and the Governor, their staff, and other state government officials to gain support for the AHA's advocacy issues. Meets one on one with state agency leads and their staff to gain support for the AHA's advocacy issues.
Works with existing coalitions and develops new coalitions to support AHA's priorities. Seeks out other organizations, coalitions, companies, and government agencies to leverage partnership opportunities to advance the AHA's advocacy issues. Coordinates the recruitment of key contacts and building and maintenance of the AHA's grassroots network.
Monitors legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the AHA and apprises appropriate AHA volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues. Manages all aspects of staff and volunteer advocacy training.
Attends and participates in relevant AHA meetings throughout the year, including volunteer advocacy committee meetings and board meetings, as appropriate.
Helps coordinate lobby days, rallies, press conferences, and other advocacy events.
As necessary and appropriate, provides strategic guidance and technical assistance to support metro-level Board, staff and volunteer efforts to advance the Association's public policy priorities at the community level and engage local volunteers in You're the Cure. Ensures that local advocacy efforts adhere to all AHA policies and applicable federal, state and local campaign and lobbying registration, disclosure, and expense reporting requirements.
Required Skills
Strategic planning and implementation including public policy assessment, issue identification, issue advocacy campaign development and ability to move public policy through the legislative and/or regulatory process.
Proven track record in legislative and regulatory lobbying.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in issue advocacy coalition management.
Proven grassroots and media advocacy tactic development and implementation.
Demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
Volunteer management experience with ability to communicate, build relationships, gain trust and effectively work with, train and inspire change across diverse audience of volunteers. Also ability to effectively utilize, measure and increase volunteer engagement at all levels.
Strong, mature and polished written and verbal communication including the ability to conduct presentation, lead meetings and effectively communicate AHA policies, guidelines and strategic direction to volunteers and staff.
Required Experience
Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy or related field from accredited university preferred. College coursework combined with related experience may be substituted for a degree. Related experience may be substituted as follows: 1 ½ years experience equates to 1 full time year of higher education.
Must have at least 3 years of experience in advocacy coalition management, strategic planning, legislative and regulatory lobbying, grassroots and media advocacy tactic development and implementation. This experience may also count towards satisfying this position's educational requirement.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
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