Manager, Advocacy - Hybrid/Remote

The National Marrow Donor Program/ Be The Match is seeking an experienced individual to lead NDMP’s comprehensive legislative strategies and national advocacy program. The individual will oversee the administration and operations of the Advocacy Team, including lobbying, grassroots and media activities. Advocacy role includes outreach and engagement, federal, state, and local advocacy efforts, and analyzing and responding to legislative issues. This position is expected to develop foundational relationships with key stakeholders, partner organizations, and legislatures to support key initiatives and strategies to advance policy priorities for effective impact. This includes building and managing the grassroots and grasstops networks along with drafting/delivering internal and external communication for the networks. This role will assess and prioritize policy issues within federal and state governments that could affect the organization and in conjunction with the policy analysis team, identify potentially advantageous or disadvantageous changes and trends impacting the NMDP. In addition, this position will interface with the Brand Marketing & Communications, Community Engagement, Be The Match Foundation, Patient Outcomes and Experience, and Provider Services Teams. This position can be remote (US) or hybrid. #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid
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ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develops and implements legislative strategies and efforts for the organization, including grassroots organizing and coalition building.
• Participates and serves as the primary liaison in several industry groups focused on federal, state legislative activity
• Coordinates internal staff and external consultants (Marketing & Communications, Consultants, etc.) to meet legislative goals
• Assists with the organization and logistics of legislative educational briefings, legislative days, and other grassroots/grasstops events
• Drafts and edits government relations content for NMDP publications, and websites – these include, but may not be limited to, legislative summaries, letters, action alerts and social media content
• Partners collaboratively with business functions (including, but not limited to: Community Engagement, Be The Match Foundation, Marketing & Communications, Patient Outcomes and Experience, Provider Services) to determine opportunities and needs for advocacy engagement
• Leads an experienced team of highly motivated individuals to achieve organizational and departmental goals
• Builds and manages grassroots and grasstops networks
• Mobilizes and educates grassroots advocates on issues within the organization’s mission
• Develops and oversees distribution of a variety of informational materials
• Develops a formal goal-review process to identify return on stakeholder relations
• In conjunction with Director, manages and reviews advocacy budget
• Acts as central point of contact with consultants
• Provides strategy and insight to lead the operationalization of NDMP’s strategic plan; effectively promote and implement plan vision and tactics to ensure goals and objectives are met
• Designs legislative strategies for assigned areas based on knowledge and monitoring of state and local priorities
• Creates and executes on opportunities to advance legislative policies that impact the lives of patients
• Identifies, develops, and maintains strong relationships with key decision makers that produce legislative champions on behalf of NMDP
• Provides leadership and active participation in community coalitions to broaden support; identify, recruit, and engage Ambassadors to promote the goals and objectives of the strategic plan
• Understands and implements best practices for grassroots communication
• Leverages NMDP communications, programs, and events to promote advocacy engagement opportunities
• Actively engages Advocacy Ambassadors in appropriate role(s) and actions
• Ensures NMDP Ambassadors have opportunities to participate in Advocacy events including but not limited to, Congressional In-District and/or State Action Day and that generates year-round engagement
• Ensures that all Advocates and Ambassador receive regular communication about progress and impact of advocacy work at state level
• Works in a team and contribute to the ongoing work of the department, including but not limited to policy development and volunteer engagement
• Contributes to team meetings; provide support and feedback to colleagues
• Actively participates in dynamic and adaptable teams, across vertical team structures, to advance work

Leadership:

• Hires, supervises, and provides professional guidance for assigned direct reports.
• Manages team and provides development opportunities
• Monitors team performance and reports results
• Assigns workload for team members and establishes performance expectations.
• Assesses individual and team performance ensuring alignment with department strategic direction.

Other Accountabilities

• The role may require access to Personal Medical Information protected by multiple security and privacy regulations. Personnel are required to control this data in a manner outlined in the NMDP Information Security Policy and NMDP Donor and Patient Confidentiality SOP.
• Travels as necessary (estimated one 2-3 day trip every 1-2 months).
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

• Basic medical terminology relating to oncology, biology, and/or biotechnology.
• The US health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid and the commercial health insurance industry
• Legislative processes and protocols
• Organization of federal and state government, resource planning and budget development and strategic planning.

Ability to:

• 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
• Manage and prioritize multiple competing priorities and complex issues with a diverse set of stakeholders
• Build coalitions, and have an understanding and background in community organizing
• Support organizational efforts through patient and professional advocacy strategies in challenging circumstances and advancing important policy issues
• Communicate complex issues with a diverse set of stakeholders
• Develop and oversee grassroots and grasstops advocates and communication materials
• Be a proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, and initiative
• Be proficient in the use of personal computers and Microsoft software applications
• Be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Manage complex logistics and develop processes and efficient systems
• Effectively convey goals and measures associated with projects
• Manage resources efficiently and coordinate multiple project components within quality, budget and timeline constraints.
• Work effectively in a complex cross-functional work environment characterized by matrixed team management and informal lines of authority
• Demonstrate superior influence and persuasion skills necessary to build stakeholder coalitions in advancing and defending NMDP’s policy agenda through stakeholders in the complex multi-stakeholder healthcare environment
• Exercise initiative and maintain strict confidentiality
• Be flexible to accommodate short-notice changes
• Travel up to 20% or more as needed

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, political science, public affairs, public health, communications or other related field
• 2 years of experience in Legislative Relations/Government Affairs or an associated setting, with a understanding of the current United States health care legislative, policy landscape, along with an established network of relationships with key agencies and experience working with stakeholder/advocacy groups.
• 2 years people leadership experience
• Experience running campaigns at state, regional, and/or national level.
• Experience in volunteer recruitment, volunteer management, and/or working with volunteers

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (Additional qualifications that may make a person even more effective in the role, but are not required for consideration)

• Master’s degree
• Congressional experience

Proof of being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster when eligible, with acceptable documentation is required for employment. NMDP will consider all requests for medical or religious accommodation.

Additional Information

• Department: 380-LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS
• Pay Basis: Yearly
• Schedule: Full-time
• Driver Policy: No

Job Type: Full-time