Associate Director, Federal Media Advocacy

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures, and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

Drive strategy, planning, and execution of comprehensive advocacy communications activities, with a focus on proactive and reactive media relations involving top-tier national and Capitol Hill media outlets, in support of the advocacy work of the American Cancer Society (ACS) through its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Areas of focus for this position may include implementation of provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including addressing affordability issues; federal appropriations for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as communications to advance the reignition of the Cancer Moonshot; and cancer prevention efforts, including funding for cancer screening programs and tobacco control.

The Associate Director is responsible for managing the Manager, Federal Media Advocacy, with oversight over a portfolio that includes palliative care and other issues as assigned, as well as building and maintaining media lists, monitoring media pickup, and supporting overall media advocacy operations for the team. This position also serves in a key advisory role to ACS CAN leadership, the ACS Media Relations Department, Regional Media Advocacy staff, and communications leaders on related legislative priorities.

This is a remote hybrid role working out of the Washington D.C. office. Media engagement experience is highly preferred.

Major Responsibilities

• Conceive of, coordinate, and execute advocacy communications strategies that support the legislative, policy, and grassroots work of ACS CAN, with a particular focus on proactive and reactive media relations with reporters from national and Washington, DC-based outlets.
• Lead the research, drafting, copy editing, approval, and distribution of press releases, backgrounders, and related materials to the media, Society, and ACS CAN staff and volunteers, coalition partners, Capitol Hill press secretaries, and others as assigned.
• Serve as a lead liaison to media relations staff within the Media Relations Department, as well as other relevant ACS staff, to ensure coordination of ACS CAN’s media advocacy strategies and to promote the mention of advocacy work in MarComm’s media relations efforts.
• Play a leading role in fielding and responding to media inquiries about ACS CAN’s advocacy efforts; conduct research and work with ACS CAN team leaders as necessary to respond to media requests; pitch stories about ACS CAN and its priority issues to national political and policy reporters; help build contacts with reporters and mailing lists of media advocacy contacts.
• Drive strategy around the implementation of media advocacy campaigns to help elevate and advance ACS CAN’s federal advocacy agenda across the country; serve as a key contact to Regional Media Advocacy and communications staff on portfolio issues.
• Serve as a source of expertise to ACS CAN and ACS leadership on media advocacy and messaging; provide media coaching and training to ACS CAN and Society leadership, staff, and volunteers; serve as a key contact to regional advocacy and ACS regional communications staff.
• Play a lead role in developing and executing media advocacy strategies on the ACS CAN website and through its social media channels.
• Serve as ACS CAN’s lead media advocacy representative among multi-group coalitions and partnerships; serve on internal strategic workgroups.

Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or related field.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and computer skills required; knowledge of politics and Congress essential; knowledge of cancer and/or other healthcare issues preferred.

Specialized Training or Knowledge

• Eight to 10 years of professional experience in media/public relations, journalism, or related field.
• Knowledge of public health policy preferred.

Special Mental or Physical Demands

• Ability to travel when necessary.

The starting rate is $78,000 to $100,000 annually. The final candidate’s relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has adopted a vaccination policy that requires all staff, regardless of position or work location, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (except where prohibited by state law).

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.

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