Associate State Director-Advocacy

About the position 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. Requirements • Bachelor's Degree required, along with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. • Proven experience in lobbying, coalition building, and relationship management, particularly at the state level with a focus on the Kansas legislature. • Demonstrated ability in developing legislative policy and introducing new legislative bills. • Experience in creating and developing testimony for legislative sessions. • Strong commitment to nonpartisanship and experience in executing campaign tactics that align with AARP's social mission. • Skilled in recruiting, engaging, and managing volunteer activists, with a focus on empowering volunteers. • Ability to lead and manage multiple projects or issues simultaneously. • Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% throughout the state with occasional overnight, evening, and weekend hours. • Additional travel to regional and national meetings will be required. • Proficient in developing both short- and long-term strategies for success in legislative advocacy and grassroots campaigns. • Comfort in using Microsoft Office suite and internal reporting systems. Benefits • 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 • Tuition reimbursement Apply tot his job