Associate State Director-Advocacy

Job Description

Overview

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

The Associate State Director – Advocacy develops and implements federal, state, and local-level advocacy goals and objectives within business unit plans and the overall enterprise strategy. Executes state, federal, and local advocacy activities and represents the organization and its interests to elected officials and public policy leaders. Partners with internal and external partners to develop and execute advocacy campaigns and to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities.

Develops and executes advocacy volunteer recruitment strategies and tactics. Collaborates with management to identify opportunities to streamline processes and to develop new procedures that support the business unit/department. Additionally, you will work as a part of the Georgia State Office team, collaborating with other team members, supporting team goals and objectives.

If you are passionate about building connections, leading impactful initiatives, creating lasting change, and working as part of an impactful team, this is the role for you. Together, we can amplify our mission and make a real difference in the lives of others.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement advocacy strategies and campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels while collaborating with cross-functional teams as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization’s legislative goals.

Represent the organization and its interests to federal, state, or local government agencies. Build and maintain relationships with governmental representatives, with the goal of advancing and promoting the organization’s goals.

Develop and manage relationships with elected officials at all levels.

Collaborate with internal/external partners on advocacy campaign communication strategy development. Utilize direct action organizing tactics and implement grassroots advocacy tools to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities.

Identify issues of public policy and organizational importance and implement strategies, such as drafting and distributing memos or releases, to generate government and public support. Advocate for organizational interests in front of legislative bodies. Analyze legislation for alignment with organizational priorities. Monitor and comment on pending legislation that may impact organizational priorities.

Serve as a deep subject-matter-expert on the state office’s advocacy issues. Use data and input for diverse stakeholders. Produce written reports or convene public meetings to disseminate findings, share best practices, and advance solutions through relevant communication channels.

Recruit, train, develop, and deploy volunteers in accordance with organizational goals. Align volunteers’ interests with organizational priorities. Support volunteer needs and design opportunities to maximize volunteer engagement. Ensure inclusion of volunteer perspectives in strategic planning.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s and/or Juris Doctorate Degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience.

Proven experience/successful track record of building relationships and influence between AARP and Georgia’s legislative and policy leaders.

Commitment to nonpartisanship with experience in lobbying, coalition and relationship building, and using grassroots techniques to influence legislation at the state level with the Georgia legislature.

Experience with developing and executing campaign tactics to promote issues related to AARP’s social mission. Ability to develop both short- and long-term strategies and tactical plans to achieve success in both legislative advocacy and grassroots campaigns.

Experience with recruiting, engaging, and managing volunteer activists and a demonstrated commitment to empowering volunteers. Willingness to travel up to 50%, with flexibility for evening and weekend engagements to support initiatives in the metro Atlanta area.

Ability to lead and manage multiple issues and/or projects at the same time.

Ability to work and thrive in a collaborative team environment, functioning effectively in an ambiguous and changing environment.

Comfort with the Microsoft Office suite, internal reporting systems, and ability and willingness to learn new functionality.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

Regular and reliable job attendance

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships

Independent judgment in evaluating options to make sound decisions

In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds (State Office)

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

401(k)

100% company-funded pension plan

Health, dental, and vision plans

Life insurance

Paid time off including company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave

Performance-based and peer-based recognition

Tuition reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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