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.

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 Associate State Director- Outreach and Advocacy works with staff, volunteers, members, community partners and policy makers to achieve AARP's social impact and member value goals. This person develops and provides strategic leadership for AARP advocacy activities, including the implementation of AARP advocacy efforts and campaigns at the local, state and national level. They work to build greater grassroots and key contacts capacity as well as relationships with elected officials in an effort to advance AARP priorities issues. 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

• BA degree in Social Work, Political Science, Human Resources, and/or Non-Profit Management, Marketing and Public Relations, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience related to the duties of the position.
• A strong understanding of the state's political and community service environment (e.g., community service leaders, partners, organizations, critical state-wide community service needs, legislative leaders, government officials, major stakeholders, etc.)
• Previous government relations and grassroots organizing experience strongly encouraged.
• Volunteer management experience preferred.
• Understanding of community organizing, communications, legislative advocacy, marketing and public relations.
• Ability to travel in state up to 10% of the time.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

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.