Overview

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 and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

The Associate State Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement located in Columbus, Ohio, w orks with staff, volunteers, members, community partners and policy makers to achieve AARP's social impact and member value goals. You will develop and provide strategic leadership for AARP advocacy activities, including the implementation of national AARP advocacy efforts and campaigns at the local, state and national level. You will also work to build greater grassroots and key contacts capacity as well as relationships with elected officials in an effort to advance AARP priorities issues. This position develops a presence in key communities through strengthening visibility, media presence, volunteer capacity, building community partnerships, delivering social impact programs, events, and activities and outreach to AARP members.

Responsibilities

• Identifies issues of public policy and organizational importance, and develops and implements advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels, collaborating with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization's legislative goals.
• 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.
• Works with staff, volunteers, members and other cross-organization teams to achieve the organization's community engagement goals at the state and local levels. Establishes a presence for the organization in targeted communities by engaging multicultural audiences, developing community partnerships, building volunteer capacity, and designing and executing engaging community programs and events.
• 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.
• Establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages internal/external resources to raise the visibility of the organization within communities.
• Serves as a deep subject-matter-expert on the organization's 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.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in government relations, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, public affairs or related field.
• Experience engaging and building relationships with diverse organizations, community partners and coalitions.
• Experience working with and managing a diverse volunteer or membership base.
• Travel up to 10%.
• Night and weekend hours as required to meet state office needs.
• Ability to work in environment with moderate noise.

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting 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; tuition reimbursement; among others.

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.