Advocacy Campaigns Project Management Director

AARP • Washington, DC

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.
AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.
The Advocacy Campaigns Project Management Director leads complex, high-profile advocacy campaigns focused primarily on federal financial security issues, including Social Security, work and save, fraud, and other related priorities. This senior role owns end-to-end campaign management—developing strategic plans, leading large-scale campaigns on issues impacting the 50+ population, building and maintaining schedules, coordinating cross-functional teams, tracking deliverables, and ensuring that all components stay aligned and on time. The Director regularly engages with C-level and senior executives, providing timely written and verbal updates, preparing clear and concise reports, and delivering materials that are accurate, consistent, and ready for executive review. The ideal candidate is a proactive, self-directed leader who is naturally curious, eager to learn, and able to quickly immerse themselves in key issue areas. Additionally, this role requires taking initiative by independently seeking out information and confidently leading work with minimal direction. The Director plays a pivotal role in documenting and enhancing best practices, establishing and refining processes across operations directors, and partnering closely with internal teams to support campaign planning, budget approvals, and tracking funding requests. This role ensures that all campaigns are executed with exceptional rigor, seamless coordination, strong communication, and strategic alignment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8+ years of experience in project management and/or campaign management.
• Experience managing complex projects from ideation and planning through execution and performance measurement.
• Experience in communications, public affairs, public relations, government, or a similar field.
• Experience managing multiple, cross-functional projects simultaneously in highly matrixed work environments.
• Proven ability to write and present materials for senior executives.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certified and experience managing projects using project management software such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, or Monday.com.
• Experience planning and executing public affairs or advocacy campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and implements assigned projects.
• Determines resources needed, tracks budgets, determines scope and execution, tracks progress towards milestones, establishes timelines, and evaluates progress.
• Ensures adherence to internal and external quality standards.
• Organizes project teams and leads internal and external team members and stakeholders to deliver on project goals.
• Establishes project communication plans and ensures internal/external stakeholders are informed regarding project processes and impact.

Benefits

• AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director