Associate State Director - Advocacy

AARP • Columbia, SC

16h • $94,500 - $105,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate State Director, Advocacy leads AARP South Carolina’s state, federal, and local advocacy efforts. The role develops and manages advocacy campaigns, builds coalitions, mobilizes volunteers, engages policymakers and community leaders, and uses data and storytelling to advance AARP’s legislative and regulatory priorities. The position collaborates across advocacy, outreach, communications, and operations to coordinate efforts and maximize AARP’s impact across South Carolina.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Relations, Community Organizing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience as a registered state or federal lobbyist, with demonstrated success influencing public policy and legislative outcomes.
• At least 5 years of experience in advocacy, government relations, grassroots organizing, community engagement, campaign management, coalition building, or related public affairs functions.
• Proven experience developing and executing advocacy strategies, public policy initiatives, and tactical campaigns that drive stakeholder engagement and measurable impact.
• Ability to recruit, train, mobilize, and lead volunteers, community advocates, and grassroots networks in support of policy and advocacy objectives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, facilitation, public speaking, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to build and sustain strategic, nonpartisan relationships with elected officials, community leaders, coalition partners, and internal cross-functional stakeholders.
• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgment in evaluating options and making sound decisions.

Nice To Haves

• Expert knowledge of South Carolina’s legislative process.
• Leadership experience in voter engagement, utilities, caregiver and healthcare policy, financial security, and consumer protection.
• Proficiency with Qualtrics, Springboard, Constant Contact, SharePoint, Salesforce, and related technology platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies and campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels in collaboration with cross-functional teams and internal and external partners.
• Represent AARP and its interests to government agencies and develop and maintain relationships with governmental representatives and elected officials at all levels.
• Collaborate on advocacy campaign communications, use direct-action organizing tactics, and implement grassroots advocacy tools to build constituent support for legislative priorities.
• Identify public policy issues of organizational importance and implement strategies to generate government and public support, including drafting and distributing memos or releases.
• Advocate for organizational interests before legislative bodies; analyze legislation for alignment with organizational priorities; and monitor and comment on pending legislation.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on state office advocacy issues, use data and input from diverse stakeholders, and produce written reports or convene public meetings to disseminate findings and advance solutions.
• Recruit, train, develop, and deploy volunteers in alignment with organizational goals; support volunteer needs, create opportunities to maximize engagement, and include volunteer perspectives in strategic planning.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Paid time off, including company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave
• Performance-based and peer-based recognition
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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