Senior Manager, Grassroots Advocacy

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Jan 08, 2025
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. The Senior Manager of Grassroots Advocacy supports the Society's education and engagement of activists to increase the Society's capacity for activism and influence. This position will have primary responsibility for ensuring our MS Activist Network is mobilized systematically at the state level. This position also supports managing the planning and implementation of Society's State Action Days to ensure each event meets our core objectives and provide participants an extraordinary experience. This role includes outreach and engagement, federal and state advocacy efforts, and analyzing and responding to policy issues in states as assigned. 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. The right candidate will have strong skills in relationship building and social media, will be creative and detail oriented. Essential Functions/Responsibility Activist Engagement and Advocacy Campaign Support -40% Implement strategy for increased, year-round engagement of MS activists, tracking campaigns, increasing open/response/personalization rates Support team in recruiting, screening, training, cultivating and evaluating activist volunteers, like District Activists Leaders and state Government Relations Advisory Committee members. Manage a portfolio of District Activist Leader relationships; may serve on relationship management teams Implement strategies to add constituents to the MS Activist Network and increase overall engagement of the MS Activist Network. Lead with AVP and Director Activist Engagement, team strategy in hosting State Action Days throughout the country that consistently provide an extraordinary experience for MS Activists including registration, recruitment, training, and planning events Implement existing strategies and systems to manage story collection including collecting potential stories, writing stories and evaluating their strategic use in the Society's outreach and engagement efforts. Advocacy and Policy - 30% 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 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 state(s); 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 Contribute to coalitions that support policy agenda; keeps activists informed of all state and national legislation and public policies that affect the Society Communication and Data - 20% Manage constituent information in appropriate Society systems with a primary role with state advocacy campaign vendor Work with advocacy team to ensure state public policy progress is promoted through Society communications channels, including internal and external emails, social media, and presentations to Society staff and volunteers. Work cross-functionally to develop social media strategy to increase our reach to MS Activists and state and federal legislators. Team Responsibility- 10% Participate in work groups, or contribute to the ongoing work of functional work, including, but not limited to policy development and activist engagement Contribute in team meetings; provide support and feedback to colleagues Utilize matrix management techniques to foster relationships with local market leaders Help develop advocacy content for the Society's website including policy issues, activist accomplishments and action items on the Society's website Use Society best practices and centrally developed materials to communicate with MS activists on state policy and advocacy progress and engagement Minimum Qualifications Strong written and oral communication skills, including virtual presentation ability, and effective interpersonal skills Expertise in grassroots activism and engagement techniques Strong technology skills and experience, including: social media knowledge/use knowledge of media web content e-advocacy systems CRMs Demonstrated ability to work within deadline pressures Understanding of the legislative system and how to influence outcomes Ability to work in team environment, including with remote team members Experience working with volunteers Technical/Other Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Knowledge of Quorum grassroots or similar e-advocacy system Knowledge of multiple social media platforms Knowledge of Illinois legislative process preferred 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. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume, and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application! Important: Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.