Director, Advocacy (New York and Vermont)

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers within the American Lung Association in New York and Vermont as well as with external partners to implement the organization’s policy agenda.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key government officials on an ongoing basis; enhance understanding of Lung Association mission and activities.
• Lobby local, state and federal elected officials to pass Lung Association endorsed lung health-related policies or to stop measures opposed by the Lung Association.
• Comply with lobbying reporting requirements.
• Serve as the policy spokesperson for the annual State of Tobacco Control, State of Lung Cancer and other priority reports and maximize media coverage through strategic media outreach.
• Collaborate on budget development and implementation for Advocacy and Public Policy Division activities.

Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. degree in public health, health policy, political science or government related area with 5-7 years’ experience in the public or private sectors, preferably at the state level with a focus on grassroots advocacy, media/public relations, and direct lobbying.
• Significant success in implementing policy campaigns and direct lobbying of state, local and federal government and understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
• Experience in public health, tobacco control, environmental advocacy, or health policy is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Team Player with a positive attitude; comfortable working with all levels of staff.
• Ability to work independently, problem solve, thrive under pressure, perform multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work.
• Organized with attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Occasional travel to areas of service required.

Benefits

• Paid Leave - 10 vacation days in the first year (15 days thereafter), 2 personal days and 15 sick days per year, as well as 12 company-paid holidays per year.
• Insurance - Employees (and their eligible dependents) can enroll in our medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as voluntary plans for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability and supplemental life/AD&D insurance.
• Retirement Plan - Eligible employees can participate in our 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, which offers matching employer contributions (up to 4%) and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.