Local Advocacy Director

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group​ includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels.  It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

The Local Advocacy Director provides advice and counsel to state teams and enterprise partners on the execution of the organization’s local advocacy, community engagement, and communications priorities. Develops and executes strategies that support and integrate local advocacy, outreach, communications, and volunteer engagement across multiple business units. Provides leadership and matrix management across business units to resolve systemic issues across functions and ensure the successful implementation of local advocacy initiatives. Identifies internal and external trends in local advocacy, assesses state office needs, and recommends best practices and tools to achieve advocacy goals. Ensures strong communication within a matrixed business environment. Provides internal reporting and support with systems and processes. Identifies and recommends best practices and resources to achieve local advocacy strategic goals.

• Provides advice and counsel to state teams on the implementation of the organization's advocacy, member/public engagement, volunteer management, and communications priorities.
• Execute strategies that support and integrate advocacy, outreach, communications, and volunteer engagement work across multiple business units.
• Identifies trends and resolves systemic issues across functions and ensures strong communication within a matrixed business environment.
• Writes talking points, memos, and briefing materials for senior leadership on state issues and/or advocacy trends and supports internal reporting and communication on state advocacy.
• Assesses state needs and develops and implements training programs, as needed.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, professional associations, and national organizations.
• Identifies and recommends best practices and resources to achieve state office strategic goals.

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Proven experience in advocacy, coalition building, and relationship management at federal, state, or local levels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute political or issue-based campaign plans.
• Skilled in creating both short- and long-term strategies to advance public policy issues.
• Strong commitment to nonpartisanship and to AARP’s social mission in campaign work.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to lead, manage, and track multiple projects or issues simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%, including occasional overnight, evening, and weekend hours, with additional regional and national travel as needed; proficient in Microsoft Office and internal reporting systems.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time

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.
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise - (Telework).

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.