The Director, Advocacy is responsible for planning, development, and implementation of the local and state public policy initiatives for the American Lung Association in Illinois and Iowa, as well as assisting our Washington, DC staff with our Federal priorities.
Location: Chicago, Illinois or Springfield, Illinois- Hybrid: The position is located at either the American Lung Association's Chicago, Illinois office or Springfield, Illinois office and will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual work.
Responsibilities:- Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers within the American Lung Association in Illinois and Iowa as well as with external partners to implement the organization's policy agenda.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key government officials on ongoing basis; enhance understanding of Lung Association mission and activities.
- Lobby local, state and federal elected officials to pass Lung Association endorsed lung health-related policies or to stop measures opposed by the Lung Association. Comply with lobbying reporting requirements.
- Engage constituents and volunteers into advocacy activities, such as meeting with elected officials, offering testimony, writing letters, and writing op-eds.
- Build advocacy networks (such as LUNG FORCE Hero advocates, lung health and health professional champions, e-advocates) through recruitment and ongoing engagement as part of a larger Association effort to build a robust constituent base.
- Represent Lung Association on relevant local and regional coalitions (tobacco control, health access, asthma and air quality).
- Support the local development team by improving alignment and coordination of Lung Association mission, advocacy and community engagement into fundraising initiatives.
- Identify policy success stories, personal stories and potential spokespeople for communications and development teams to highlight internally and externally.
- Serve as policy spokesperson for the annual State of the Air, State of Tobacco Control, State of Lung Cancer and other priority reports and maximize media coverage through strategic media outreach.
- Supervise work and coordinate strategy of contract lobbyist in Illinois
- Collaborate on budget development and implementation for Advocacy and Public Policy Division activities.
- Serve on work teams as assigned.
Qualifications: - B.S. or B.A. degree in public health, health policy, political science or government related area with 5-7 years' experience in the public or private sectors, preferably at the state level with a focus on grassroots advocacy, media/public relations, and direct lobbying
- Experience in public health, tobacco control, environmental advocacy, or health policy is preferred.
- Significant success in implementing policy campaigns and direct lobbying of state, local and federal government and understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
- Experience in coalition building, developing and implementing community awareness, education, and programs specifically related to areas of public health.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Team player with a positive attitude; comfortable working with all levels of staff.
- Ability to work independently, problem solver, thrive under pressure, and perform multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work.
- Organized with attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
- Occasional travel to areas of service required. Must have reliable transportation with the ability to travel within assigned area 20% of the time for meetings and conferences, as well as the flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends with some overnights required
- Consistent with its mission, the American Lung Association maintains a smokefree workplace; all employees must abstain from tobacco use in any form, including vaping.
Compensation: Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. The target hiring range for this position is between $74,000 and $92,000 per annum.
Benefits: The Lung Association offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Paid Leave - 10 vacation days in the first year (15 days thereafter), 2 personal days and 15 sick days per year, as well as 12 company-paid holidays per year. We also offer Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees.
- Insurance - Employees (and their eligible dependents) can enroll in our medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as voluntary plans for critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, short-term disability and supplemental life/AD&D insurance. Employees will be enrolled in company-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability Insurance coverage.
- Retirement Plan - Eligible employees can participate in our 401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, which offers matching employer contributions (up to 4%) and year-end discretionary non-elective contributions.
