Associate State Director, Advocacy

AARP • New York, NY

1d • 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 Associate State Director, Advocacy, develops and implements federal, state, and local-level advocacy goals and objectives within business unit plans and the overall enterprise strategy. Executes state, federal, and local advocacy activities and represents the organization and its interests to elected officials and public policy leaders. Partners with internal and external partners to develop and execute advocacy campaigns and to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities. Develops and executes advocacy volunteer recruitment strategies and tactics. Collaborates with management to identify opportunities to streamline processes and to develop new procedures that support the business unit/department.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of 5 years of work in advocacy, policy analysis, grassroots organizing and mobilization, building community partnerships, preferably with NYS or NYC government.
• Demonstrated ability to execute nonpartisan strategies.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple projects and issues, including developing both short- and long-term strategies and tactical plans to achieve success in advocacy, grassroots organizing, and outreach.
• Travel up to 25%.
• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements advocacy strategies and campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels while collaborating with cross functional teams as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization’s legislative goals.
• Represents the organization and its interests to federal, state, or local government agencies. Builds and maintains relationships with governmental representatives, with the goal of advancing and promoting the organization's goals. Develops and manages relationships with elected officials at all levels.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners on advocacy campaign communication strategy development. Utilizes direct action organizing tactics and implements grassroots advocacy tools to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities.
• Identifies issues of public policy and organizational importance and implements strategies, such as drafting and distributing memos or releases, to generate government and public support. Advocates for organizational interests in front of legislative bodies. Analyzes legislation for alignment with organizational priorities. Monitors and comments on pending legislation that may impact organizational priorities.
• Serves as a deep subject-matter-expert on the state office’s advocacy issues. Uses data and input for diverse stakeholders. Produces written reports or convenes public meetings to disseminate findings, share best practices, and advance solutions through relevant communication channels.
• Recruits, trains, develops, and deploys volunteers in accordance with organizational goals. Aligns volunteers’ interests with organizational priorities. Supports volunteer needs and designs opportunities to maximize volunteer engagement. Ensures inclusion of volunteer perspectives in strategic planning.

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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees