Legislative Director - Livable Communities

AARP • Washington, DC

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.
As the Legislative Director for Livable Communities at AARP, you will advocate at the federal level to advance policies that improve the lives of Americans 50+ across key livability issues, including housing, transportation, telecommunications/broadband, and energy. In this role, you will provide significant policy expertise, technical assistance, and strategic guidance as part of a collaborative team, directly supporting national office colleagues and state offices with issue leadership, legislative analysis, drafting support, and the development of federal advocacy approaches. You will help shape and execute federal advocacy strategies; craft policy positions, statements, and testimony; and represent AARP’s priorities by meeting with Members of Congress, engaging with congressional committees, and maintaining a regular presence on Capitol Hill. This position requires a highly collaborative approach to ensure cohesive and mission-aligned federal advocacy on behalf of older adults nationwide.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Political Science, Public Policy, Law or related field or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• 8+ years of relevant and substantively responsible legislative and regulatory experience in government, the private sector, or a non-profit organization.
• Extensive federal-level advocacy expertise in a governmental agency, legislative or intergovernmental advocacy environment, and a proven passion and commitment to consumer advocacy.
• Generalist with demonstrated Hill experience.
• Extensive experience in the preparation and presentation of policy positions (issues briefs, testimony, etc.). Ability to analyze legislation and regulations thoroughly and effectively, and to apply research results to justify or support Association policies and positions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a non-partisan and inclusive manner, fostering collaboration and building trust among diverse stakeholders with differing perspectives. Skilled at facilitating dialogue and uniting stakeholders around common goals on highly sensitive or complex issues to drive effective and meaningful outcomes.
• Ability to frequently travel within the DC metro area to attend in-person meetings on the Hill and other venues to address legislative priorities.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a point of contact on a specific portfolio of issues.
• Interacts with federal and state elected officials and staff members in a lobbyist capacity.
• Researches and identifies public policy issues of interest to the organization and prepares summaries and reports on the facts and issues.
• Analyzes federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals, communicates regularly with state office staff regarding the organization’s policy goals, and contributes to internal and external advocacy materials.
• Builds strong relationships with members of Congress, federal or state officials, internal and external stakeholders, professional associations, and coalitions to achieve the organization’s public policy agenda.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities to advance the organization’s priorities.
• Works closely with colleagues in States, Campaigns, Policy Development, Programs, Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and other departments to drive robust and proactive advocacy on their portfolio of issues for Americans 50 and older.
• Serves as a spokesperson with press and with legislative and non-legislative audiences on a specific portfolio of issues as they relate to older adults to position the organization as a credible source of information on legislative and regulatory issues. Identifies, supervises and works with outside consultants and issue experts to advance the organization’s advocacy agenda.

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