Now is the time to join us and make a difference. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.  Here at the American Heart Association, you matter and so does your career.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Community Advocacy Director in the Western United States.

Come be a part of public policy change for good! Join us and help people live longer, healthier lives! The American Heart Association believes that together we can change the future of health and be the progress that ensures longer, healthier lives for all. To this end, we are growing our team to hire a Community Advocacy Director that will help advance the mission of the American Heart Association through local policy. The Community Advocacy Director role is critical in leading and advancing the American Heart Association’s policy agenda through government relations, community engagement and policy development in our multi-state western region (to possibly include: Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii and Montana). This remote position will report to the Region Senior Lead, Community Government Relations within the Advocacy Department.

The Community Advocacy Director is responsible for coordinating and leading all aspects of campaign strategy for the adoption of local policy and ground softening for community advocacy efforts in the western United States. This multifaceted role will be responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association while interfacing with local governments, various public policy coalitions, community-based organizations, volunteers, staff and other non-profit partners. The Community Advocacy Director will activate local volunteers to develop grassroots support for the American Heart Association’s legislative agenda. Working in coordination with American Heart Association’s State Government Relations Directors, the Community Advocacy Director will help identify local policies that would serve a strategic purpose in ground softening for the adoption of state policy. Additional responsibilities include facilitating, in collaboration with internal and external partners, the successful development and implementation of customized and strategic community advocacy plans. Those plans will include elements such as: strategic campaign planning, campaign implementation, legislation or regulation drafting, development of factsheets, media advocacy, grassroots activation,  grass tops engagement, as well as coalition development and management.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

• Strategically identifies, coordinates and supervises all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns at the local level, including but not limited to: identifying target jurisdictions; completing community assessments; setting public policy priorities and goals;  developing strategic campaign plans; reviewing and revising legislation/regulations; providing strategic campaign guidance; providing individualized trainings; creating individualized resources (fact sheets, talking points, sample testimony, etc.); dissemination of  best practices across the identified markets.
• Closely monitors and tracks community public policy issues of concern, engages on legislative and regulatory issues of interest and apprises appropriate volunteers, staff and community partners of emerging advocacy issues.

• Provides policy research, development of support materials, recruiting of spokespersons, preparing testimony, and other activities as needed to advance the identified health public policy agenda.

• Provides strategic direction on local grassroots and stakeholder recruitment, retention, and mobilization efforts. 
• Collaborates with community partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.
• Tracks compliance with lobbying requirements and prepares all necessary reporting.
• Develops training and technical resource tools used to empower American Heart Association field staff, volunteers, partner organizations and community-based organizations to effectively advocate for key community public policy priorities.
• Attends and participates in relevant American Heart Association and initiative meetings throughout the year. 
• Empower and support community-based organizations and non-traditional partners to develop and implement community identified and prioritized public policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Want to help get your resume to the top?  We are looking for your expertise in the following areas.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, related field, or equivalent work experience. 
• Minimum of three (3) years of:
• Experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying.
• Experience in community organizing and/or political campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing issue advocacy coalition(s).
• Experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics.
• Policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning, budgeting, and managing work.
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Must be able to travel up to 40% of the time. 

Desired Characteristics:

• Highly self-motivated, taking initiative to identify needs and respond promptly and effectively.
  
• Desire to work collaboratively with peers and management.
• Embraces problems as opportunities to propose and develop solutions.
  
• Comfortability in balancing the American Heart Association’s required policy elements with external stakeholder priorities.

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for local policy as a testing ground for broader change at the state or national level.
• Belief and dedication in the mission of the American Heart Association as social drivers of health.
  
• Remains flexible with determination, diplomacy and perseverance in the face of uncertainty and challenging opposition.

Expected pay range will be $78,000 - $95,000.  Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
  
  
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs, based on the type of position.
  
  
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
  
  
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
  
  
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
  
  
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities