Assistant Director, Grassroots Advocacy

NMSS National Multiple Sclerosis Society•Chicago, IL

2d•$70,000 - $79,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Grassroots Advocacy supports the Society’s education and engagement of activists to increase the Society’s capacity for activism and influence. This position will have primary responsibility for ensuring our MS Activist Network is mobilized systematically at the state level. This position also supports managing the planning and implementation of Society’s State Action Days to ensure each event meets our core objectives and provide participants an extraordinary experience. This role will serve as the Society’s primary government affairs representative in Illinois and be a registered lobbyist. This role includes outreach and engagement, federal and state advocacy efforts, and analyzing and responding to policy issues in states as assigned. This position is expected to develop foundational relationships with key stakeholders including volunteers, partner organizations, and legislatures to support initiatives and strategies to advance policy priorities for effective impact. This position cultivates and promotes appropriate advocacy communications which are targeted to various audiences including public officials, partner organizations, activists, and the general community. This role requires the ability to understand complex legislative issues, articulate positions, and develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, internally and externally. This includes relationships with legislative and regulatory officials throughout assigned states. The right candidate will have strong skills in relationship building and customer relationship management, will be creative and detail oriented and have knowledge of Quorum. This role will serve as the Society’s primary government affairs representative in Illinois and be a registered lobbyist. The National MS Society will be closed for Winter Break from December 22 through January 1. During this time to recharge, our hiring team will not be actively reviewing applications. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we look forward to reviewing your application and reconnecting when we return in the new year.

Requirements

Strong written and oral communication skills, including virtual presentation ability , and effective interpersonal skills
Expertise in grassroots activism and engagement techniques
Strong technology skills and experience, including: social media knowledge/use; knowledge of media; web content ; e-advocacy systems; CRMs
Demonstrated ability to work within deadline pressures
Understanding of the legislative system and how to influence outcomes
Ability to work in team environment, including with remote team members
Experience working with volunteers
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge of Quorum grassroots or similar e-advocacy system
Knowledge of multiple social media platforms

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Illinois legislative process preferred

Responsibilities

Implement strategy for increased, year- round engagement of MS activists , tracking campaigns, increasing open/response/personalization rates
Support team in recruiting, screening, training, cultivating and evaluating activis t volunteers, like District Activists Leaders and state Government Relations Advisory Committee members.
Manage a portfolio of activist relationships ; may serve on relationship management teams
I mplement strategies to add constituents to the MS Activist Network and increase overall engagement of the MS Activist Network .
Lead with AVP and Director Activist Engagement, team strategy in hosting State Action Days throughout the country that consistently provide an extraordinary experience for MS Activists including registration, recruitment, training, and planning events
Implement existing strategies and systems to manage story collection including collecting potential stories, writing stories and evaluating their strategic use in the Society’s outreach and engagement efforts.
Provide strategy and insight to lead the operationalization of the Society’s strategic plan; effectively promote and implement plan vision and tactics to ensure goals and objectives are met
Design legislative strategies for assigned areas based on knowledge and monitoring of state priorities
Create and execute on opportunities to advance policies that impact the lives of people living with MS; identify , share, and implement effective strategies
Responsible for monitoring and tracking policy interests across assigned state(s) ; elevate issues to priority status as deemed necessary
Identify , develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision makers that produce legislative champions on behalf of the Society
Contribute to coalitions that support policy agenda; keeps activists informed of all state and national legislation and public policies that affect the Society
Manage constituent information in appropriate Society systems with a primary role with state advocacy campaign vendor
Work with advocacy team to ensure state public policy progress is promoted through Society communications channels , including internal and external emails , social media , and presentations to Society staff and volunteers.
Work cross-functionally to develop social media strategy to increase our reach to MS Activists and state and federal legislators.
Participate in work groups, or contribut e to the ongoing work of functional work, including, but not limited to policy development and activist engagement
Contribute in team meetings; provide support and feedback to colleagues
Utilize matrix management techniques to foster relationships with local market leaders
Help develop advocacy content for the Society’s website including policy issues , activist accomplishments and action items on the Society’s website
Use Society best practices and centrally developed materials to communicate with MS activists on state policy and advocacy progress and engagement

Benefits

You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees.
Your benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Spring Health Membership offering free therapy and professional coaching, as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.
We’re committed to supporting the growth of every employee through a structured and transparent approach to career development .
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