Vice President, Public Policy

Job Details

Description

The Vice President of Public Policy serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in California, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before California’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, community stakeholders, and coalitions, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position also oversees grassroots engagement and volunteer recruitment in support of the Association’s state and federal public policy priorities.

This role is responsible for implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated state policy priorities, including issues related to Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce. The VP of Public Policy serves as a registered lobbyist with the state and reports to the Regional VP of Northern CA-Northern NV, representing the Alzheimer’s Association’s Northern California chapters.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda, including a robust gubernatorial and state agency engagement strategy, in collaboration with the National Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C.
• Ensure compliance with the Association’s approved state lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system by all Association staff in the state who may be required to register as lobbyists.
• Operate within a matrix reporting structure, requiring close collaboration with multiple stakeholders across different functions and locations.
• Oversee the planning and execution of the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
• Develop and grow relationships with state legislators, other state government officials, and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees, and coalitions.
• Draft bills and regulatory language, secure bill sponsors, and testify before state legislative committees on the Association’s behalf as needed. Oversee bill tracking in the Association’s approved tracking system.
• Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and direct state-level advocacy activities, including office visits, volunteer testimony before committees, and earned and social media.
• Implement nationwide priority objectives such as the Nationwide State Policy Priorities (NSPP) and the National Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), and strategic planning goals for federal and state policy.
• Initiate, support, amend, and/or defend public policies (legislative, regulatory, or budget action) that support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Recommend official Association positions on proposed bills, budget language, and regulatory changes in collaboration with the National Public Policy office.
• Manage the Association’s chapter/state budget in support of federal advocacy campaigns and government affairs activities within the state.
• Oversee the recruitment, engagement, and strategic mobilization of volunteer advocates, including one Alzheimer’s Ambassador and two or more Alzheimer’s Congressional Team members in every congressional district on federal priority issues.
• Ensure all policy engagement is reported and that appropriate staff fully implement federal advocacy campaigns and strategies.
• Ensure that all appropriate staff are up to date on training and reporting in the internal Public Policy online portal, including elected official engagement and lobbying compliance.
• Oversee the planning and execution of town halls and other community events with members of the state’s congressional delegation.
• Supervise the Public Policy team of Northern California and work closely with teams across the state.
• Provide regular updates to Association staff in the state, the chapter board, volunteer advocates, and staff in the National Public Policy Office.
• Collaborate with Association staff across the chapters, including Communications, Programs, Health Systems, chapter executives, and Regional Leaders, to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 10-15 years of experience working in a state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant state agency, preferably in California.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current contacts within the state legislature, executive branch, and potential partners in California.
• Understanding and experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in California.
• Experience working on Medicaid, senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues.
• Political or issue advocacy campaign experience preferred.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment, volunteer management, and/or working with volunteers is a plus.
• Strong analytical and policy development skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized, and able to manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with integrity, diplomacy, and initiative.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, reliable vehicle, and proof of automobile insurance.

Job Details

Title: Vice President, Public Policy
Position Location: Hybrid, Sacramento, CA
Full-time: Minimum 37.5 hours per week
Position Grade: 311
Starting Salary: $150,000 – $160,000
Reports To: Regional Vice President, Northern CA – Northern NV Chapter

Who We Are

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

The Alzheimer’s Association announced a landmark $100 million investment in research for 2023, demonstrating our commitment to driving breakthroughs in dementia research.

Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the U.S. makes a difference daily for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease. We invite qualified applicants to explore this opportunity to make a life-changing impact. Learn more at www.alz.org/jobs.

At the Alzheimer’s Association, we believe diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity. We are committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and providing resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Benefits

Employees working 24 hours per week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous paid time off
• 12 annual holidays
• Paid family leave
• Annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution

Full-time employees (37.5 hours per week) receive additional benefits, including an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The contractor will not discriminate against employees or applicants based on compensation discussions unless required by law. For details, refer to 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).

Learn more here