State Government Relations Director

About the role

The State Government Relations Director serves as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to the assigned state legislature and state agencies, and local governments, generating awareness and support for the American Heart Association's public policy agenda.

Responsibilities

• Meets one-on-one with members of the state legislature, their staff, and other state and local government officials to gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Maintains and engages on state and local 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.
• Develops and implements policy research, support materials, recruitment of spokespersons, preparation of testimony, and other activities as needed to advance the American Heart Association’s legislative agenda.
• Builds and manages issue advocacy coalition(s) and collaborates with partner organizations to leverage opportunities that advance the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Recruits membership for and provides staff support to volunteer state advocacy committees, develops an annual legislative agenda, and provides strategic direction and support materials for state lobby days and/or local in-district meetings.
• Collaborates with communications staff partners on media advocacy efforts, prepares required reporting information, and provides advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.
• Attends and participates in relevant American Heart Association meetings, including national and affiliate staff training, affiliate and state-level meetings with staff partners, and metro board meetings.
• Represents the organization in public settings, including in on-the-record legislative convenings and in media interviews.

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.
• Outstanding oral and written communication 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.
• Knowledge of the state legislative and regulatory processes.

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.
• Experience managing contract employees.

Pay & Benefits

The expected pay range is $79,000 - $95,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. The Association invests in its people, offering 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. Additional benefits include an employee assistance program, employee wellness program, and telemedicine, and medical consultation. Professional development opportunities include joining one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or being a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule. Work-life harmonization is supported through Paid Time Off (PTO) and a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year. Tuition assistance is provided 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.

Additional Information

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are. 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. This position is not a match with your skills? Click here to see other opportunities. In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment. EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities