Chief Advocacy Officer

About the role

ASCO has an exciting opportunity of an experienced advocacy leader to join our Policy department as Chief Advocacy Officer! In this high-impact role, the Chief Advocacy Officer will champion ASCO’s policy priorities, elevate state and federal policy engagement, and mobilize a passionate grassroots community to ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care nationwide. Partnering closely with ASCO executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and key healthcare stakeholders, the Chief Advocacy Officer will architect comprehensive advocacy strategies, build bipartisan relationships with policymakers, and mentor a dynamic team dedicated to advancing the interests of oncology professionals and the patients they serve. This position is hybrid with a primary location at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The hire must reside within 75 miles of our headquarters and be available to work onsite as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Division Director, Regulatory Affairs and Chief Policy Officer, advise the Vice President of Policy & Advocacy in strategy, priorities and tactics for achieving ASCO’s policy and advocacy goals.
• Provide strategic advice to ASCO’s Leadership and Government Relations Committee in development of annual advocacy goals and strategy to advance the Society’s strategic plan.
• Optimize resources to achieve strategic advocacy goals, including management of outside consultants related to advocacy.
• Develop and implement vision to advance policy positions and political activity in the short and longer term.
• Provide strategic oversight for state and federal legislative efforts, state and federal grassroots activities and political engagement.
• Provide supervision, mentoring, feedback, coaching and task delegation to departmental staff to maximize their effectiveness and support each staff member’s professional development.
• Implement tactics to increase funds raised and contributors to the ASCO Association PAC, and the participation for Advocacy Summit, Advocacy at Home, and the ACT Network.
• Lead the state advocacy team towards increased visibility and State Affiliate collaboration on state legislative and regulatory activities and relationship building.
• Foster and maintain relationships inter- and intra-departmentally to ensure coordination in federal and state legislative, grassroots, political, and communications activities.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with professional organizations, federal and state policymakers, and other stakeholders affecting policy for cancer care and oncology practice.
• Present at ASCO committee meetings, State Affiliate meetings, Association Board meetings and other venues, and support the Vice President Policy & Advocacy in the development of presentations and materials.
• Monitor annual budget for assigned programs and manage vendors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline
• 15+ years of experience working in the policy area, grassroots organizing, coalition-building, campaign politics and/or advocacy (e.g., Capitol Hill, public affairs firm, trade association, or NGO)
• Experience as a legislative advocate within Congress, a state legislature, or another organization and willingness to register as a federal lobbyist
• Experience forging consensus among diverse stakeholders, managing personnel and budget, and working with Boards preferred
• 7+ years of experience managing both people and budgets
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Office suite

Qualifications

• Extensive specialized subject-matter knowledge of their work discipline; recognized as an expert in professional field
• Ability to lead effectively requiring high levels of collaboration, sound judgment and significant operational and administrative management expertise
• In-depth knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes, internal operations and procedures, and numerous issues affecting public health and oncology
• Demonstrated business acumen associated with accountabilities
• Excellent communication skills, including skills with ability to analyze, define and effectively convey difficult and complex issues in a way that accurately and persuasively communicates the issues to internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to compress large amounts of information on diverse topics into concise reading material for a variety of audiences through a variety of mediums
• Excellent strategic skills including creativity and effectiveness in identifying and addressing major strategic challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to build trust and respect within the organization, and contributes to building a positive team spirit

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• 401(k) with generous contribution
• Health and wellness benefits
• Family forming benefits
• Education support program
• Generous leave
• Open Leave Policy
• Paid Family Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays per Calendar Year
• Staff Appreciation Days
• 401(k): 7.5% Employer Contribution
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fertility and Family Forming
• Healthcare Concierge
• Flexible Spending Account(s)
• Healthcare Savings Account
• Disability and Life Insurance

Pay

The hiring salary range for this position is $215,000‑$262,000 annualized.

Schedule

This is a hybrid position with a primary location at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The hire must reside within 75 miles of headquarters and be available to work onsite as business needs require. Travel is expected 6‑10 days per year.