Region Grassroots Manager

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we’ve cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Region Grassroots Manager in our Midwest Region. Location of the selected candidate is flexible within the region (IA, IL, IN, ND, NE, SD, OH, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, WI) provided the location allows for effective and cost-efficient travel.

The Region Grassroots Manager is responsible for recruiting, mobilizing, retaining, and recognizing volunteer advocates for the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure grassroots network in the assigned territory within the Midwest Region. You will oversee the identification and execution of influential grassroots strategies and tactics to advance the Association’s public policy priorities at the federal, state, and community levels. Additional responsibilities include contributing to issue advocacy campaign plans and ensuring effective volunteer engagement through regular communication, advocate training, as well as online and offline calls to action.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support locally.

#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization, and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic plan around the recruitment, mobilization, and retention of You’re the Cure members for assigned territory.
• Works closely with the Senior Region Grassroots Lead in the Midwest to develop and implement regional grassroots processes.
• Maintains regular communication with You’re the Cure advocates in assigned territory to keep them engaged and active throughout the year, such as action alerts, newsletters, email updates, social media messaging, etc.
• Activates and engages You’re the Cure advocates in offline tactics as appropriate to impact public policy campaigns. Examples include lobby days, rallies, spokesperson opportunities, phone call campaigns, events, etc.
• Writes and launches action alerts to mobilize advocates to send communications to lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders.
• Finds opportunities to recruit grassroots networkers and key contact volunteers through Association-related activities and other community events or resources.
• Cultivates opportunities for grassroots networkers to advance their level of engagement in advocacy.
• Develops volunteer leaders, who play a leading role in policy campaigns, assisting with advocate recruitment, training, and outreach, as well as sharing their stories with lawmakers and in the media.
• Plans and implements grassroots trainings for American Heart Association volunteers and staff as needed to educate on the Association’s mission and priorities and how they can make an impact through advocacy.
• Recognizes advocates for their contributions through the course of policy campaigns.
• Regularly evaluates You’re the Cure program metrics in assigned territory. Examples include supervising performance of online communications and analyzing network trends through web-based action and reporting systems.
• Fosters integration opportunities with Association staff partners to further grow the You’re the Cure network and to provide meaningful volunteer engagement opportunities through advocacy.
• Supports federal, state, or local lobby day or public awareness events within assigned territory crafted to promote the Association’s advocacy agenda.
• Supports federal advocacy efforts in assigned territory, such as identifying volunteers for Congressional meetings.
• Provides strategic mentorship, technical assistance, and ongoing support to metro-level Board, staff, and volunteers as they pursue opportunities to advance the Association’s public policy priorities at the community level. Ensures the recruitment and integration of these local volunteer efforts within You’re the Cure and ensures that local grassroots activities adhere to applicable Association policies and activity reporting requirements.

Qualifications

Want to help get your resume to the top? Take a look at the experience we require:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Communications, related area, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in community organizing and mobilization, volunteer management, public policy, public health, government relations, or political and/or issue campaigns.
• Ability to recruit, direct, mentor, monitor, and supervise volunteers.
• Working knowledge of grassroots advocacy principles.
• Ability to implement programs and initiatives by engaging all key partners and constituents.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter, working with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel overnight approx. 10% of the time.

Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:

• Experience with supporting integrated campaign strategies- media advocacy, grassroots mobilization, coalition-building, and lobbying- to advance public policy goals.
• Basic understanding and skills to support social media outreach.
• Use and management of web-based grassroots action sites for creating campaigns, sending alerts, and managing volunteer and legislator information.
• Knowledge of capacity building in the community.
• Knowledge of the legislative process at the federal, state, and local level.
• Knowledge of ballot initiative processes and voter contact programs.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected pay range will be $56,300 to $65,600. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs, based on the type of position.
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal

Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin, and physical or cognitive abilities. We’re committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture, and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.

Learn more about the position here

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities