Government Relations Director – California

Now is the time to join us and make a difference. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Here at the American Heart Association, you matter and so does your career.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a State Government Relations Director.

In order to be considered for this role, you are required to live in the state and be within commuting distance of the State Capital. Sacremento, CA

The State Government Relations Director is responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to the assigned state legislature and relevant state agencies to generate awareness and support for the AHA’s public policy agenda. Strategically coordinate and oversee efforts to further the state public policy priorities of the American Heart Association. Responsible for working with American Heart Association staff, volunteers, coalitions, and partner organizations to build support for American Heart Association policy issues and to integrate advocacy messaging into relevant American Heart Association programs and events.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as training and support locally and through our National Center.

#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity and inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and at heart.org.

Responsibilities

Meets one on one with members of the state legislature, their staff, and other state government officials to gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.

Monitors and engages on state-level legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the American Heart Association and apprises appropriate American Heart Association volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues.

Provides policy research, development of support materials, recruitment of spokespersons, preparation of testimony, and other activities as needed to advance the American Heart Association’s legislative agenda.

Participates in coalition building efforts and collaborative partnerships to leverage opportunities that advance the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.

Recruits’ membership for and provides staff support to volunteer state advocacy committee(s). Collaborates with the committee to develop an annual state legislative agenda.

Provides strategic direction on statewide grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention and mobilization efforts. Provides strategic direction and support materials for state lobby days and/or local in-district meetings.

Collaborates with communications staff partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.

Prepares required reporting information including local, state and/or federal lobbying reports and other reporting as necessary.

Provides advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.

Attends and participates in relevant American Heart Association meetings throughout the year, including national and affiliate staff training, affiliate and state-level meetings with staff partners, and metro board meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, related field or equivalent work experience.
• Three (3) years of experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying.
• Three (3) years of demonstrated experience building and managing issue advocacy coalition(s).
• Three (3) years of experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills.
• Policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning, budgeting, and managing work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working in health care policy.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems.

Compensation & Benefits

Expected pay range will be $68,750 to $85,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs; this position is incentive eligible based on achieving certain targets.
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance – We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2024 Goal: Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We’re committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.

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