BA degree and 8+ years of progressive people management experience, preferably with a geographically dispersed team.
Expertise in budgeting and forecasting, with a focus on strategic alignment within comprehensive plans.
Systems-driven strategist with a high tolerance for internal processes.
Demonstrated commitment to volunteerism, with a record of recruiting and empowering volunteers.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with non-profits, government, and business organizations, influencing policymakers effectively.
Willingness to travel up to 50% and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Knowledge of advocacy, political awareness, and community organizing, with a preference for expertise in aging issues and New York politics.
Responsibilities
Develop a state-specific strategic vision that aligns with organizational priorities and stakeholder feedback.
Direct advocacy strategies at local, state, and federal levels, managing relationships with elected officials.
Oversee communications strategies to enhance visibility and engagement with priority audiences.
Establish community partnerships and integrate engagement strategies across various geographies.
Manage the state office budget to align with strategic priorities and ensure compliance with policies.
Support and develop volunteer teams to execute the state's strategic plan, focusing on recruitment and engagement.
Provide leadership and decision-making support for staff and volunteers, fostering employee engagement.
Benefits
401(k) plan with company contributions.
100% company-funded pension plan.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Life insurance coverage.
Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, and parental leave.
Performance-based and peer recognition programs.
Tuition reimbursement for professional development.
Full Job Description
State Director, New York, sets the overall vision and direction of the organization's work in the state and leads a team of staff and volunteers to execute organizational priorities. Leads collaboration with business units across the organization and provides intelligence about on-the-ground developments that might affect the organization. Assesses environmental dynamics and decides where and how state office resources should be deployed throughout the state. Minimizes organizational and reputational risk and maximizes strategic opportunities for the organization across the state. Serves as the public face of the organization with stakeholders throughout the state.
Responsibilities
Develops a state-specific strategic vision for the organization that considers organizational priorities, state and local-level needs and issues, and feedback from internal and external stakeholders. Mobilizes the state office team of staff and volunteers in the execution of the strategic vision. Collaborates with staff across the organization in support of the state's work and leverages organizational resources effectively.
Directs the development and execution of advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization's advocacy goals. Gathers and disseminates political intelligence. Manages relationships with elected officials at all levels. Collaborates with internal/external partners on advocacy strategy development.
Directs the development and execution of communications strategies within the state, including targeting priority audiences and geographies. Ensures the effective use of communications channels and media partnerships that align with strategic objectives and help to raise the visibility of the organization with members, lawmakers, influencers, and the public.
Directs the development and execution of engagement strategies, including targeting priority audiences and geographies. Establishes community partnerships and ensures the engagement of community partners to accomplish strategic objectives. Ensures integration of strategies across geographies and issue areas.
Manages the state office budget to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and meet financial benchmarks. Manages organizational risk and ensures compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
Directs the development and support of a team or teams of volunteers to assist in executing the state's strategic plan, including recruitment, engagement, and recognition of volunteers.
Provides strong people management, leadership and decision making for AARP in the state. Monitors and supports employee engagement and volunteer engagement.
Qualifications
BA degree and a minimum of 8 years of extensive, progressively responsible people management experience. Experience managing a geographically dispersed team of staff and volunteers preferred. Ability to manage advocacy, outreach, communications, and budget functions, while unifying a team around a set of clear priorities. Proven track record of managing a multi-generational workforce.Ability to lead and implement change management initiatives that can be both internal-focused and consumer/member-facing. Inspire staff to learn and test new technological approaches. Ability to have and manage difficult conversations.
Proven expertise in budgeting and forecasting, with a deep understanding of resource requirements. Demonstrated ability to strategically align these elements within a comprehensive strategic plan. Skilled in developing frameworks for resource prioritization and effectively communicating these priorities to stakeholders.
Systems-driven strategist with a high tolerance for internal processes.
Demonstrated experience and commitment to volunteerism and a record of achievement in recruiting, developing, managing, and empowering volunteers. Capable of developing a strong working partnership with the volunteer State President, the volunteer Executive Council, and lead volunteers.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with non-profit, governmental, and business organizations and experience navigating and/or influencing policymakers and elected officials.
Requires in and out-of-state travel up to 50%, reliable transportation, and evening and weekend hours as required.
Demonstrated advocacy knowledge, political awareness, and community organizing experience. A proven ability to deliver results in a non-partisan environment. Aging and/or issue expertise and knowledge of New York politics preferred.
Additional Requirements
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.
Hybrid Work Environment
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.
Compensation and 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.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. The organization was founded in 1958 and has over 38 million members. AARP provides information, advocacy, and services for people over the age of 50. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
