Associate State Director, Advocacy & Community Engagement

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.

AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group​ includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach, and Advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

As Associate State Director, Advocacy & Community Engagement, you will help us bring our mission to life in Topeka, KS, and the surrounding region. In this role, you will be at the forefront of our local advocacy and community engagement efforts.

Imagine yourself building relationships with community leaders, academic institutions, businesses, policymakers, and volunteers, all while championing initiatives that address critical issues. You’ll serve as a voice of AARP in the region, representing our interests to elected officials, government agencies, and partner organizations.

In addition, you’ll become a community builder. You’ll lead the implementation of local, state, and national campaigns focused on the surrounding areas within the Topeka, KS region, ensuring they resonate with the unique needs of the community. You’ll recruit, train, and empower volunteer teams, fostering a sense of purpose and collaboration to achieve ambitious goals.

By establishing strategic partnerships and leveraging resources, you’ll amplify our impact and help create a stronger, more connected community. If you’re someone who thrives on building connections, leading impactful initiatives, and making a tangible difference, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Identifies issues of public policy and organizational importance and develops and implements advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners, to achieve the organization’s legislative goals.
• Works with staff, volunteers, members, and cross-organization teams to achieve the organization’s community engagement goals.
• Establishes a presence for the organization in targeted communities by engaging multicultural audiences, developing community partnerships, and designing and executing engaging community programs and events.
• Represents the organization to federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as media outlets.
• Builds and maintains relationships with governmental representatives to advance and promote the organization’s goals.
• Develops and manages relationships with elected officials at all levels.
• Establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages resources to raise the organization’s visibility within communities.
• Develops and communicates persuasive narratives aligned with AARP’s priorities to diverse audiences.
• Confidently represents the organization in public settings, including media appearances.
• Serves as a subject-matter expert on the state office’s advocacy issues.
• Produces written reports and/or convenes public meetings to disseminate findings and share best practices.
• Recruits, trains, develops, and deploys volunteers in alignment with organizational goals.
• Ensures the inclusion of volunteer perspectives in strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in lobbying, coalition and relationship building, and using grassroots techniques to influence legislation at the federal and state levels, preferably with the Kansas legislature.
• Commitment to nonpartisanship.
• Experience in developing and executing campaign tactics to promote issues related to AARP’s social mission.
• Experience in recruiting, training, engaging, and managing volunteer activists.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple issues/projects simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be comfortable using data, analytics, and technology.
• Remote work position but must reside in the Topeka, KS area.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• Night and weekend hours required as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English).

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.
• Ability to work in an office or home office environment with moderate noise.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• 401(k) retirement plan
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Paid time off (company and individual holidays, vacation, sick leave, 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 based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Learn more here