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 State Director sets the vision and direction of the organization's work in the state to execute organizational priorities. As the State Director, you will lead collaboration across the organization and provide intelligence to the organization. The State Director provides value to the organization by serving as the public face of the organization with stakeholders throughout the state.

Responsibilities

• Maintains an understanding of the environment, manages organizational and reputational risk, and maximizes strategic opportunities for the organization across the state.
• Directs state office staff and volunteers in communications, advocacy, organizational partnership, and member/public outreach and engagement work.
• Leads collaboration with business units across the enterprise and provides intelligence about on-the-ground developments that might affect the organization.
• Leads strategic planning by staff and volunteers. Manages the state office budget. Serves as the public face of the organization with stakeholders throughout the state.
• Develops and implements advocacy strategies and sets the overall vision and direction of the organization's work in the state to execute organizational priorities; leads collaboration with business units across the organization and provides intelligence about on-the-ground developments that might affect the organization.
• Assesses environmental dynamics and decides where and how state office resources should be deployed throughout the state; minimizes organizational and reputational risk and maximizes strategic opportunities for the organization across the state.
• Serves as the public face of the organization with stakeholders throughout the state. local, and federal levels. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization's legislative goals.
• Manages the design and implementation of communications strategies. Researches target audiences and channels and ensures alignment with strategic objectives. Designs communications campaigns that raise brand awareness and inform, educate, and influence internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• BA degree in Public Administration, Management, Political Science, Community Organization, Gerontology or related discipline. Advanced degree a plus.
• 8 or more years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• A minimum of 6 years of executive management/leadership is required. Proven ability to lead people and manage.
• Experience working with community organizations, volunteers, and legislators (local, state, federal).
• Strong understanding of public policy issues; strong understanding of the political environment and other dynamics impacting AARP's work in the state.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time is required.
• This is an in-office position and the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise is required.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to volunteerism and a record of achievement recruiting, developing, managing, and empowering volunteers. Is capable of developing a strong working partnership with the volunteer State President, volunteer Executive Council, and lead volunteers.
• Superb interpersonal skills; integrity; nonpartisan; the ability to lead an organization with fairness and humility.
• This position will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions up to 1/3 of the job.

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.