Are you ready to join an organization where you can be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives?

Envision all Americans enjoying ideal cardiovascular health free of heart disease and stroke. At the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, we get to work toward that goal every single day. Is it easy? No. Is it worthwhile? you bet!

This is satisfying work that makes a real difference in people's lives. You can achieve professional growth with personal fulfillment. You will connect with people and make a lifesaving impact. You will partner with individuals, schools, lawmakers, healthcare providers and others to ensure everyone has access to healthier lifestyle choices and proper healthcare.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity for a State Government Relations Director in Florida.

***In order to be considered for this role, you are required to live in the state and be within commuting distance of the State Capital. ***

Responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to the assigned state legislature, state executive branch and associated state agencies to generate awareness and support for the AHA’s public policy agenda. You will strategically coordinate and lead efforts to advance the state public policy priorities.  Additionally, this position is responsible for annually planning, managing, and executing an active public policy agenda at the local level for Tallahassee, Florida, as well as identifying and cultivating local public policy work for success related to AHA’s mission throughout Florida.  

This role is responsible for working with staff, volunteers, coalitions and partner organizations to build support for our policy issues and to integrate advocacy messaging into AHA programs and events.

Essential Job Duties:

• Coordinate and handle all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns.
• Meets with members of the legislature, their staff, and other state government officials to gain support for AHA’s advocacy issues.
• Meets with local elected officials and stakeholders in Tallahassee, Florida and other local jurisdictions (as defined by your supervisor) to maximize opportunities and gain support for AHA’s advocacy issues.
• Monitors and engages on state-level legislative and regulatory issues of concern to AHA and apprises appropriate volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues.
• Provides policy research, development of support materials, recruitment of spokespersons, preparation of testimony, and other activities as needed to advance our state and local legislative agenda.
• Participates in coalition building efforts and other partnerships to designed to strengthen opportunities that advance our advocacy issues.
• Recruits membership for and provides staff support to volunteer state advocacy committee(s). Collaborates with the committee to develop an annual state and local legislative agenda.
• Provides strategic direction on statewide grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention and mobilization efforts. Provides strategic direction and support materials for state lobby days and/or local in-district meetings.
• Collaborates with communications staff partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.
• Prepares required reporting information including local, state and/or federal lobbying reports and other reporting as necessary.
• Provides advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.
• Attends and participates in meetings throughout the year, including national and affiliate staff trainings, affiliate and state-level meetings with staff partners, and metro board meetings.

Want to help get your resume to the top? Consider the experience we require:

• 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 building and managing issue advocacy coalitions.
• Experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics.
• Possess policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, budgeting, and prioritizing work.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to travel overnight approx. 25% of the time.

Here are some of the preferred skills/experiences we are looking for:

• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working in health care policy.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems.

So, are you ready to work for the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases?

Salary:

Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials may apply.  

Benefit Plans:

Employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the medical, dental, and vision plans the first of the month following 30 days of service. AHA subsidizes the medical and dental cost to ensure benefits are affordable. Eligible dependents under AHA’s group benefit plans include legal spouse, domestic partner, children under the age of 26 or who are disabled. AHA offers additional benefits like an EAP, telehealth benefit for general medical and behavioral health, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and disability.
 
Retirement Plans: AHA retirement plans offer employees a way to start saving after their first paycheck. The retirement plans provides employer contributions after two years of service.   If you have previous 501(c)(3) non-profit experience, within the last 5 years, at a national health agency, an institution of higher learning or a medical institution, that experience may count towards the two-year waiting period.  Employees are 100% vested in employee and employer contributions.
 
Paid Days Off: Regular full-time and part-time employees earn Paid Time Off (PTO) based on years of service. PTO begins accruing on date of hire. Full time employees receive one paid Community Service time off day per year and are encouraged to participate in projects, programs and organizations which contribute to the health and vitality of their communities. AHA also offers 12 paid holidays per year.

Leaves of Absence: AHA offers both Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits which replace earnings if you are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury. Employees are eligible for Short Term Disability after 90 days of service and are eligible for Long Term Disability after being disabled for 90 days or more. Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks off of work for a qualified leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), intermittent FMLA leaves and leave as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended (ADAAA).

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity applies to both our workforce and the communities we serve as it relates to heart health and stroke prevention.

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

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EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities