Senior Manager, Advocacy

WHO WE ARE :

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

This role includes outreach and engagement, federal, state and local advocacy efforts, and analyzing and responding to policy issues.

This position is expected to develop foundational relationships with key stakeholders such as District Activist Leaders, Government Relation Advisory Committee members, partner organizations, and legislatures to support key initiatives and strategies to advance policy priorities for effective impact.

This position cultivates and promotes appropriate advocacy communications which are targeted to various audiences including public officials, partner organizations, activists, and the general community.

This role requires the ability to understand complex legislative issues, articulate positions, and develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, internally and externally.

This includes relationships with legislative and regulatory officials throughout assigned states.

This position is responsible for overseeing the advocacy work in multiple states and providing support and guidance to advocacy peers.

Essential Functions / Responsibility

Advocacy & Policy Responsibilities - (45%)

• Provide strategy and insight to lead the operationalization of the Society's strategic plan; effectively promote and implement plan vision and tactics to ensure goals and objectives are met
• Design legislative strategies for assigned areas based on knowledge and monitoring of state and local priorities
• Create and execute on opportunities to advance policies that impact the lives of people living with MS; identify, share, and implement effective strategies
• Responsible for monitoring and tracking policy interests across assigned states; elevate issues to priority status as deemed necessary
• Identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision makers that produce legislative champions on behalf of the Society
• Communicate the Society's priorities to all necessary audiences; offer recommendations and suggestions for messages to ensure that they are on-point, unified, and reflect applicable research and engaging stories to enhance impact
• Lead coalitions that support policy agenda; keeps activists informed of all local, state, and national legislation and public policies that affect the Society

Activist Engagement Responsibilities (40%)

• Provide leadership and active participation in community coalitions to broaden support; identify, recruit and engage activists to promote the goals and objectives of the strategic plan
• Manage a relationship portfolio of 60+ relationships that advises state advocacy strategy, advances legislation and influences policy makers to act on the Society's behalf
• Understand and implement best practices for grassroots communication
• Leverage Society communications, programs and events to promote advocacy engagement opportunities
• Recruit MS Activists to increase the Society's activism capacity; demographic diversity; political relationships and / or issue expertise
• Actively engage MS Activists in appropriate activism role(s) (Grassroots, Advisory Committee, District Activist Leader, Grasstops, etc.)
• Provide leadership and direction to the Government Relations Advisory Committee to meet the goals of the committee charter
• Provide policy updates to Society market area volunteer committees as well as provide opportunities for these volunteers to engage in Society activism when appropriate
• Ensure MS Activists have opportunities to participate in National MS Society Public Policy Conference, Congressional In-District and / or MS State Action Day and that extraordinary experience generates year-round engagement
• Ensure that all activists receive regular communication about progress and impact of advocacy work at state level

Team Responsibility (15%)

• Lead work groups and contribute to the ongoing work of the team, including but not limited to policy development and volunteer engagement
• Contribute to team meetings; provide support and feedback to colleagues
• Utilize matrix management techniques to foster relationships with local market leaders
• Actively participate in dynamic and adaptable teams, across vertical team structures, to advance work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Education Required BA / BS in public policy, public administration, social science or related field
• Minimum of 5 years experience working with high-level activist volunteers
• Understanding of the legislative system and how to influence outcomes
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills with the ability to build trust and motivate staff and volunteers to perform at their best to achieve strategic business outputs
• Ability to think through problems, make inclusive decisions, and lead others through complex situations
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to work internally and externally effectively
• Ability to solve diverse problems
• Ability to interpret and effectively articulate policies to influence action
• Ability to work effectively with diverse audiences with varying agendas
• This position requires knowledge and demonstrated experience in government relations, public policy, and effective coalition leadership and community mobilization.

Technical / Other

• Commitment to the mission, vision, cultural values, and expectations of the National MS Society
• Availability to work occasional nights and weekends to support events, committee meetings, etc.
• Proficient with MS Office computer software including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point
• This position will be required to drive / travel on Society business. Candidate must possess a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation.

The Society does run motor vehicle checks for all positions which require driving and the applicant must meet the Society guidelines

Compensation and Benefits Info :

Estimatedhiringcompensation range for this role is $69,000 - $80,000 annually. Final offers will be based on candidategeographic location and consider career experienceandmay vary from this range due to theseand otherfactors.

• The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan;
• Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance;

Commuter Benefit Plan; Flexible Work Arrangement Options; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society's positions and work.

This position is in the Professional career band and a level of 3 (P3).

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS :

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions.

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We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

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