Associate State Director, Community Outreach

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 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, Community Outreach establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages internal and external resources to achieve the organization's community engagement goals at the state and local levels. Researches target audiences and designs engagement opportunities that align with strategic objectives. Ensures integration of engagement strategies across geographies and issue areas. Collaborates with management to identify opportunities to streamline processes and to develop new procedures that support the business unit/department.

• Provides advice and counsel to cross-functional teams in the implementation of the organization's state and community strategy initiatives including local advocacy, member/public engagement, volunteer management, and communications priorities.
• Evaluates and adjusts strategy implementation to achieve the organization's local goals nationwide. Assesses state and regional needs and develops and implements training programs as needed.
• 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.
• Resolves systemic issues across functions and ensures strong communication within a matrixed business environment.
• Develops and implements community engagement and communication strategies tailored to target audiences in statewide and local communities. Establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages internal and/or external resources to raise the visibility of the organization within communities.
• 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.

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Human Resources, Non-Profit Management, and Social, or Human Sciences; or a related discipline.
• 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• Ability to manage budgets related to specific job duties within the state plan.
• Ability to foster strategic partnerships and build mutually beneficial relationships with key organizations and leaders, with a primary focus on serving African American, Black, and Caribbean communities.
• Ability to drive initiatives aimed at diverse community outreach and engagement in urban settings, placing a particular emphasis on understanding and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African American, Black and Caribbean populations.
• Experience working with the Newark, New Jersey community a plus.
• Familiarity with communities and influencers throughout New Jersey a plus.

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
• Ability to travel up to 50%

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 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.