Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Regional Community Advocacy Director.

The Regional Community Advocacy Director is responsible for coordinating and supervising strategy and efforts to foster the public policy priorities of the American Heart Association in the assigned communities. Responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to community level public officials and relevant community public agencies to generate awareness and support for the American Heart Association’s public policy agenda. Responsible for building and managing teams of American Heart Association staff, volunteers, coalitions and partner organizations to build support for and integrate advocacy issues messaging into all other American Heart Association programs/events.

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 our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. 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 coordinates and supervises all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns at the assigned market levels.
• Meets one on one with elected community officials, their staff, and other community government officials to gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Monitors and engages on legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the Association’s and apprises appropriate Association volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues.
• Provides policy research, development of support materials, recruiting of spokespersons, preparing testimony, and other activities as needed to advance the Association’s community public policy agenda.
• Participates in coalition efforts and other collaborative partnerships to leverage opportunities that advance the Association’s public policy priorities.
• Recruits membership for and provides staff support to a volunteer community advocacy committee.  In collaboration with the committee, and with strategic direction from the Association’s advocacy program, develops a community legislative agenda.
• Provides strategic direction on community grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention and mobilization efforts.
• Collaborates with communications staff partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.
• Assurances compliance with lobbying requirements and prepares all necessary reporting.
• Provides advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.
• Attends and participates in relevant American Heart Association meetings throughout the year.
• Travel 25% 

Want to help get your resume to the top?   Take a look at the experience we require:

• Three (3) years of experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying
• Three (3) years of demonstrated experience building and managing issue advocacy coalition(s)
• Three (3) years of experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics
• Outstanding oral and written communications skills
• Policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, sophisticated projects in varying stages of development under time constraints
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic planning, budgeting, and managing work

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience working in health care policy
• Three (3) years of experience in volunteer management
• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations
• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• 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. We're committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.

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