Associate State Director - Advocacy

OATS; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Pension plan

Health, dental, and vision plans

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

AARP seeks an Associate State Director-Advocacy to lead multi-level advocacy efforts across local, state, and federal arenas. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, engage with officials, and drive campaigns that advance priorities.

The role emphasizes volunteer recruitment and strategic partnerships while maintaining nonpartisan policy focus. Candidate will develop advocacy plans, monitor legislation, and communicate complex policy issues to diverse audiences, supporting AARP’s health and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related policy field or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years lobbying at state or federal level with measurable outcomes.
• 5+ years in advocacy, government relations, or grassroots organizing with impact.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, and lead volunteers and advocates.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build nonpartisan relationships with officials and partners.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements advocacy strategies at local, state, and federal levels.
• Represents the organization to government agencies and elected officials.
• Collaborates on advocacy campaign communications and grassroots tools.
• Identifies public policy issues and drafts memos/releases for support.
• Produces reports and convenes meetings to disseminate findings.
• Recruits, trains, deploys volunteers, aligning them with priorities.

Skills

Lobbying

Advocacy strategy

Volunteer leadership

Public speaking

Stakeholder relations

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy

Bachelor's degree in Political Science

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations

Bachelor's degree in Community Organizing

Tools

Qualtrics

Springboard

Constant Contact

SharePoint

Salesforce

Job description

Overview

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 and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

The AssociateState Director-Advocacy develops and implements federal, state, and local-level advocacy goals and objectives within business unit plans and the overall enterprise strategy. Executes state, federal, and local advocacy activities and represents the organization and its interests to elected officials and public policy leaders. Partners with internal and external partners to develop and execute advocacy campaigns and to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities. Develops and executes advocacy volunteer recruitment strategies and tactics. Collaborates with management to identify opportunities to streamline processes and to develop new procedures that support the business unit/department.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements advocacy strategies and campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels while collaborating with cross functional teams as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization’s legislative goals.
• Represents the organization and its interests to federal, state, or local government agencies. Builds and maintains relationships with governmental representatives, with the goal of advancing and promoting the organization's goals. Develops and manages relationships with elected officials at all levels.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners on advocacy campaign communication strategy development. Utilizes direct action organizing tactics and implements grassroots advocacy tools to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities.
• Identifies issues of public policy and organizational importance and implements strategies, such as drafting and distributing memos or releases, to generate government and public support. Advocates for organizational interests in front of legislative bodies. Analyzes legislation for alignment with organizational priorities. Monitors and comments on pending legislation that may impact organizational priorities.
• Serves as a deep subject-matter-expert on the state office’s advocacy issues. Uses data and input for diverse stakeholders. Produces written reports or convenes public meetings to disseminate findings, share best practices, and advance solutions through relevant communication channels.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Relations, Community Organizing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience as a registered state or federal lobbyist with demonstrated success influencing public policy and legislative outcomes.
• 5+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, grassroots organizing, community engagement, campaign management, coalition building, or related public affairs functions.
• Proven experience developing and executing advocacy strategies, public policy initiatives, and tactical campaigns that drive stakeholder engagement and measurable impact.
• Strong ability to recruit, train, mobilize, and lead volunteers, community advocates, and grassroots networks in support of policy and advocacy objectives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, facilitation, public speaking, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strategic, nonpartisan relationships with elected officials, community leaders, coalition partners, and cross-functional internal stakeholders.
• Preferred qualifications include expert knowledge of South Carolina’s legislative process, leadership experience in voter engagement, utilities, caregiver and healthcare policy, financial security and consumer protection, and proficiency with Qualtrics, Springboard, Constant Contact, SharePoint, Salesforce, and related technology platforms.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

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
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work 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.