Sr. Advocacy Communications Lead

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing enterprise-wide Advocacy Communications strategies for the communication and promotion of the American Heart Association’s policy statements and positions, developing communications resources in support of priority public policy initiatives, and working with Advocacy and Marketing Communications staff at the national and regional levels to build awareness of the Heart Association’s public policy priorities.
• Consulting on the development and execution of advocacy communications strategies and tactics to advance Heart Association state and community advocacy campaigns, working through paid, earned, owned, and organic media channels.
• Developing strategic communications approaches to special initiatives, including the Heart Association’s food is medicine Initiative, Health Care by Food™.
• Coordinating creation and updates of advocacy content on heart.org and digital hubs.
• Develops and implements strategic communications plans for Heart Association policy and scientific statement releases, including message development, media relations, organizational communications and supporting materials.
• Manages the development, governance and timely update of advocacy-related content on heart.org and designated digital hubs. Coordinates with the Grassroots team to align supporting content with issue action centers on heartpowered.org.
• Provides strategic counsel, communications planning and technical assistance to state- and market-based Marketing Communications and Advocacy staff supporting active public policy campaigns.
• Leads the development of communications strategies and tactics for priority state and community public policy campaigns, with the goal of building understanding and support among priority audiences.
• Develops and manages audience-centered messages, materials, toolkits and other resources that support consistent campaign implementation across markets.
• Provides strategic Advocacy Communications counsel for emerging priorities and represents the team on cross-functional workgroups as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) years of the following experience, eight (8) years is preferred:
• Extensive experience in public relations, corporate communications, and/or journalism.
• Demonstrated experience with earned media strategy and reporter outreach, particularly on public policy topics.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local public policy processes and how communications can support policy campaigns.
• Experience integrating communications and grassroots engagement strategies in public policy campaigns.
• Ability to translate complex public policy research and positions into clear, audience-appropriate communications.

Preferred

• Knowledge of health policy issues.
• Experience working with or in a non-profit organization.
• Experience working with remote staff and teams.
• Experience with graphic design through Canva or Adobe Suite.
• Experience contributing advocacy subject-matter expertise and message development to cross-functional issues-management efforts.
• Experience using generative AI tools (such as Microsoft Copilot) to support communications planning and content development while applying appropriate review, accuracy, brand-maintaining quality, and ethical standards.

Benefits

• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.