Director of Public Policy

Job Details

Position Summary

The Director of Rhode Island Public Policy serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in Rhode Island. This role represents the Alzheimer’s Association before Rhode Island’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, community stakeholders, and coalitions. The director also participates in statewide task forces and work groups. Additionally, the position is responsible for grassroots engagement and volunteer recruitment in support of the Association’s state and federal public policy priorities.

Key duties include implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated state policy priorities, such as Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce issues. The director also acts as a registered lobbyist with the state and reports to the Executive Director, representing the Alzheimer’s Association’s Rhode Island chapter.

Responsibilities

Essential functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda in collaboration with the Executive Director and the National Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C.
• Draft bills and regulatory language, secure bill sponsors, and provide testimony before state legislative committees on behalf of the Association as needed.
• Train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, government officials, and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association’s representation on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees, and coalitions.
• Track state legislation using the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative actions.
• Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
• Plan and execute the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
• Identify and implement opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist with state-level advocacy activities.
• Recruit, train, and facilitate year-round efforts of volunteer Alzheimer’s Ambassadors and team members working with their assigned member of Congress.
• Demonstrate expertise on Federal policy priorities for the Association and provide leadership on state policy positions.
• Manage state policy grassroots advocacy activities, including office visits, correspondence, and the volunteer Alzheimer’s State Champion program.
• Work with advocates to promote the Association’s policy priorities in earned and social media.
• Ensure volunteer advocates report activities and contacts with federal and state officials.
• Provide regular updates to Association staff, chapter board, volunteer advocates, and the National Public Policy Office in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Collaborate with chapter staff, including Communications, Programs, Health Systems, and the Executive Director, to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 to 7 years of experience in state government affairs, legislative staff, or policy staff in the governor’s office or a relevant state agency, preferably in Rhode Island.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Established contacts within the state legislature, executive branch, and potential partners in Rhode Island.
• Experience in political or issue advocacy campaigns is desirable.
• Strong understanding of the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Rhode Island.
• Experience with volunteer management and community organizing.
• Familiarity with Medicaid, senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues.
• Strong ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly detail-oriented, adaptable, and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Self-starter with excellent judgment and attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, and initiative.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle, and proof of automobile insurance.

Position Details

• Title: Director of Public Policy
• Location: Providence, RI
• Position Type: Full-time
• Position Grade: 308
• Reports To: Executive Director

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.

In 2023, the Alzheimer’s Association made a landmark $100 million investment in research. This commitment exemplifies the momentum we are building in dementia research, paving the way for future breakthroughs.

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our network of over 1,900 employees across the United States works every day to make a difference for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk of the disease.

We warmly invite qualified applicants to explore this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org/jobs.

Commitment to Diversity

At the Alzheimer’s Association, we believe diverse perspectives are crucial to achieving health equity. This means ensuring all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis, access to risk reduction resources, and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and addressing the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Alzheimer’s Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, long-term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays, and Paid Family Leave. Full-time employees also enjoy an annual School Visitation Day, an Elder Care Facility Day, and retirement benefits through a gold-standard 401(k) plan.

Learn more here