State Government Relations Director

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 State Government Relations Director for Delaware and Maine. (Home-based. Can be based in Delaware or Maine and will cover the other state remotely with occasional travel.)

The State Government Relations Director is responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to the assigned state legislature, state executive branch, and associated state agencies to generate awareness and support for the Association’s public policy agenda. You will strategically coordinate and lead efforts to advance the state public policy priorities. Additionally, this position is responsible for identifying and encouraging local public policy work related to the Association’s mission throughout Rhode Island and Maine. This role is responsible for working with staff, volunteers, coalitions, and partner organizations to build support for our policy issues and to integrate advocacy messaging into the Association’s programs and events.

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.

Responsibilities

• Strategically coordinate and lead all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns.
• Meet with members of the state legislature, their staff, and other state government officials to gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Meet with local elected officials and collaborators to improve opportunities and gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Monitor and engage on state-level legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the American Heart Association and apprise appropriate volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues.
• Provide policy research, development of support materials, recruitment of spokespersons, preparation of testimony, and other activities as needed to advance our state and local legislative agenda.
• Participate in coalition building efforts and other collaborative partnerships designed to strengthen opportunities that advance our advocacy issues.
• Recruit membership for and provide staff support to volunteer state advocacy committees. Collaborate with the committee to develop an annual state legislative agenda.
• Provide strategic direction on statewide grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention, and mobilization efforts.
• Provide strategic direction and support materials for state lobby days and/or local in-district meetings.
• Collaborate with communications staff partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.
• Prepare required reporting information including local, state, and/or federal lobbying reports and other reporting as necessary.
• Provide advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.
• Attend and participate in meetings throughout the year, including national and regional staff trainings, regional and state-level meetings with staff partners, and metro board meetings.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of:
  • Experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying.
  • Experience building and managing issue advocacy coalitions.
  • Experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics.
• Policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Ability to simultaneously prioritize multiple, sophisticated projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, budgeting, and prioritizing work.
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Must be able to travel overnight approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working in healthcare policy.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected pay range: $79,000 – $99,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.

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 – Competitive base salary reviewed regularly for market alignment.
• Performance and Recognition – Merit increases and incentive programs based on success.
• Benefits – Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus retirement plans with employer match.
• Professional Development – Access to HeartU, Employee Resource Groups (ERG), and mentoring programs.
• Work-Life Harmonization – Minimum 16 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, increasing with tenure, plus 12 paid holidays annually.
• Tuition Assistance – Financial support for career-related education.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Learn more here