Director of Policy, Advocacy and Strategic Engagement

Position Description Summary

The Director of Policy, Advocacy and Strategic Engagement provides administrative oversight as well as research and project management support for the government affairs, professional affairs, student affairs, science, research, pharmacy and health professional education and practices, and health-related policy and program priorities of the association. AACP defines strategic engagement as removing barriers and expanding and advocating for opportunities for advancement of the pharmacy profession through partnership with other education, pharmacy and health care organizations, including nursing and medicine, advocating for pharmacy at the federal level, and disseminating information to, and engaging with colleges and schools on their state-based efforts. The Director works closely with senior management in developing, monitoring and communicating the association’s strategic engagement (advocacy) priorities and government relations work. The Director also represents AACP on several coalitions related to pharmacy education and practice, research and public policy. Research, public policy and strategic engagement projects involve ongoing public affairs and engagement group programs, tracking of pertinent federal legislation regarding higher education, research and health-related programs/services/initiatives, DEIAB* topics (and the support of current projects and development of new projects related to the association’s strategic plan).

*DEIAB-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Antiracism, Accessibility and Belonging

Essential Functions

AACP policy, government affairs, pharmacy education, professional affairs, and research (35%)

• Review and analyze relevant legislation and publications for opportunities for members and communicates these with the internal staff Strategic Engagement team and other members of AACP staff (as appropriate).
• Draft communication representing AACP to Congress, Federal Agencies and the White House.
• Develop background on strategic engagement issues for staff, members, committees, and other relevant inquiries.
• Plan and implement projects related to the strategic engagement portfolio with both internal and external constituents.
• Work with AACP senior leadership to ensure that AACP is in compliance with federal lobbying and ethics rules (e.g., complete quarterly LD-2 reports if appropriate).
• Serve as staff Liaison for the AACP Strategic Engagement Standing Committee (formerly the Advocacy Standing Committee).
• Connect members with appropriate federal contacts such as Members of Congress, Congressional Staff and Agency Staff.
• Continue to develop and enhance ways to engage members to advance public policy issues related to the Association’s Strategic Plan.
• Maintain an understanding of Request For Information (RFI’s) and Open Comment periods from federal agencies and collaborate on written responses with appropriate members and/or committees and SIGs.
• Support and/or lead DEIAB efforts related to policy, government affairs, pharmacy education, professional affairs and research.

Stakeholder communications and public outreach (30%)

• Represents AACP on external coalitions pertaining to policy, higher education and/or professional affairs, as appropriate as relevant issues arise.
• Confer and consult with leadership on issues related to the Association’s Strategic Plan.
• Engage with partner organizations to advance areas of the Association’s Strategic Plan.
• Serve as a member of the AACP team evaluating the finalists of the Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award.
• Manage information transfer between staff and external groups, in collaboration with communications team when necessary.
• Respond to member and public inquiries pertaining to the AACP Strategic Engagement Plan.
• Develop and distribute consistent communication(s) for members regarding AACP Strategic Engagement Plan.
• Represent the AACP strategic engagement team related to functional areas, as appropriate.
• Promote participation of members in AACP strategic engagement efforts.
• Develop and present written and visual presentations in various formats.

Staff support for AACP programs related to higher education, research, pharmacy, DEIB and health (25%)

• Assist with administrative duties and communications for AACP programs related to research and graduate education, pharmacy and DEIAB.
• Assist with collection, review and analysis of data and policy related to current and emerging areas of research, graduate education, professional affairs and pharmacy education in colleges and schools of pharmacy.
• Supports policy and strategic engagement aspects of internal and externally-funded DEIAB and health equity projects.

Other duties as assigned (10%)

Qualifications for Position

• Minimum PharmD degree, or BSPharm degree with a relevant graduate degree.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience to include public policy, education and/or health-related fields, or equivalent experience through post-doctoral training.
• Project management experience.
• Experience in policy development/advocacy/government relations to include responsibility for constituent communication and issue identification.
• Knowledge of pharmacy-related issues, healthcare or health research issues preferred.
• Familiarity/ working knowledge of DEIAB and health equity topics desirable.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills.
• Skilled at prioritizing and maintaining competing needs for multiple executives, demonstrating confidence and sound judgment.
• Ability to think and work strategically desirable.
• Skilled at collaborating with Deans and other high-level faculty members.
• Self-directed with the ability to work effectively under limited supervision.
• Resourceful and skilled at performing research, handling data and asking the right questions to master subject matter and processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative work style.
• Outstanding oral communication skills with the ability to present information clearly, succinctly and persuasively.
• Skilled at writing clearly and concisely in multiple formats.
• Flexibility to meet changing demands.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and discretion in frequent contact with members and external stakeholder representatives.
• Confident in use of Microsoft Office applications, database management, Adobe document manipulation, social media and webinar management.

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