Director, State Advocacy & Outreach (Western Region)

Director (Western Region), State Advocacy & Outreach

Job Summary:

The Director, State Advocacy & Outreach, provides strategic leadership to advance AAPA’s state government affairs efforts in a designated region, with a strong preference for candidates based in the Western United States. This role leads and partners with AAPA’s constituent organizations (COs), collaborating with volunteer leaders to enact legislation and regulations that modernize PA practice laws and improve patient care.

The Director is accountable for strengthening and scaling state advocacy infrastructure by providing strategic leadership, policy expertise, and hands-on technical support. The role serves as the staff expert and primary liaison between AAPA and its state chapters, providing policy expertise, technical assistance, and tactical support for advocacy.

This position requires the ability to operate with a high degree of professionalism and autonomy, independently executing priorities, exercising judgment, building and maintaining strong relationships, analyzing bills and regulations, and collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, and stakeholders across diverse political environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• • • Serve as the senior staff lead and primary point of contact for assigned state/territory constituent organizations.
    • Provide strategic direction and leadership to state organizations to align and advance AAPA’s advocacy priorities.
    • Monitor and analyze state legislative and regulatory activity; independently assess political landscapes and provide proactive, strategic guidance to state leaders.
    • Lead the drafting and development of bills, regulations, testimony, fact sheets, and advocacy materials.
    • Represent AAPA as a senior policy leader at legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, and regulatory proceedings, including providing expert testimony as needed.
    • Serve as a trusted advisor to AAPA members, employers, and policymakers on state laws and regulations affecting PA practice.
    • Collaborate with AAPA External Affairs and Communications Department staff to strategically elevate and amplify state advocacy initiatives and policy wins.
    • Lead the cultivation and maintenance of strategic relationships with coalition partners, regulatory agencies, and allied organizations.
    • Drive broader strategic initiatives to strengthen and sustain the advocacy capacity of state CO’s.
    • Deliver high-level briefings and presentations to AAPA leadership, CO boards, and external partners on government affairs issues.
    • Travel to represent AAPA at state-level events, meetings, and legislative days.

Required Abilities:

• • • Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously, manage complex portfolios, and deliver results with minimal oversight in a fast-paced advocacy environment.
    • Proven collaborative, solution-oriented leadership approach when working with staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
    • Experience leading and managing staff, consultants, and outside contractors/vendors with accountability for outcomes.
    • Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
    • Established experience and strong professional connections with the Western state legislatures and/or advocacy community preferred.
    • In-depth understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes; healthcare policy knowledge strongly preferred.
    • Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
    • Superior written and verbal communication skills.
    • Willingness to accommodate occasional travel and non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Education and Experience:

• • • Bachelor’s degree required.
    • Minimum of 5 years of experience in state government relations, public policy, or related field.
    • Experience designing and executing grassroots advocacy strategies.
    • Direct lobbying or legislative experience required.
    • Familiarity with healthcare policy, including workforce and medical licensing issues a plus.

The American Academy of PAs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enriching the working environment for all staff by promoting a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply. AAPA considers all qualified applicants without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, and any other classifications protected by law.

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