Associate State Director- Advocacy & Communications

OATS; Cheyenne (WY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AARP is seeking an Associate State Director, Advocacy & Communications to lead state-level advocacy and multi-channel communications campaigns. You will build media relationships, coordinate volunteer efforts, and advance legislative goals with cross-functional teams across local, state, and federal levels.

The role requires a BA plus 5+ years in related work, strong digital media experience, and ability to travel up to 50% locally.

Qualifications

• BA degree plus a minimum of 5 years of experience related to the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of state’s political and community service environment is required.
• Previous government relations and grassroots organizing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience planning, executing, and evaluating strategic communications campaigns with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with digital, social media, and design tools (Canva, Clipchamp, PowerPoint; AI tools).
• Willingness to travel locally up to 50% with occasional statewide travel.

Responsibilities

• Manages development of communications strategies tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms.
• Develops and leverages relationships with media outlets and serves as spokesperson as needed.
• Produces communications products across social, digital, earned and owned channels.
• Develops advocacy strategies and campaigns at local, state, and federal levels; collaborates with internal and external partners.
• Represents the organization to elected officials and government agencies.
• Monitors pending legislation and advocates for organizational interests.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Volunteer management

Digital & social media

Cross-functional collaboration

Public speaking

Education

BA degree

Tools

Canva

Clipchamp

PowerPoint

AI tools (Copilot)

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.

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, Advocacy & Communications, engages in the development and implementation of communications strategies tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms. Executes strategic communications objectives that inform, educate, and influence both internal and external audiences. Leads the design of communications campaigns that raise brand awareness and align with the enterprise brand strategy and brand architecture. Develops and executes state, federal, and local advocacy activities. Leads state-level advocacy activities and represents the organization and its interests to elected officials, local and state government agencies, and partner organizations. Leads state-level implementation of national campaign efforts. Recruits, develops, and manages volunteer teams to advance advocacy and campaign goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manages the development of communications strategies tailored for target audiences over multi-channel platforms, and leads the execution of those efforts to inform, educate, and influence both internal and external audiences.
• Develop and leverages relationships with key media outlets and establishes strategic media partnerships to raise the visibility of the organization with members, the public, and key influencers. Serves as a media spokesperson as needed.
• Produce or collaborates on producing a variety of individual communications products for internal and external audiences, including designing, writing, editing, and/or publishing communications across social, digital, earned media and owned channels.
• 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. Develops and manages relationships with elected officials at all levels.
• Represents the organization and its interests to elected officials, local and state government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Monitors and comments on pending legislation that may impact organizational operations and advocates for organizational interests in front of legislative bodies.
• 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

• BA degree plus a minimum of 5 years of experience related to the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated understanding of the state’s political and community service environment (e.g., community service leaders, partners, organizations, critical state-wide community service needs, legislative leaders, government officials, major stakeholders, etc.).
• Previous government relations and grassroots organizing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience planning, executing, and evaluating strategic communications campaigns, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage complex, innovative projects.
• Requires effective digital, social media, and strategic communication experience. Knowledge of tools, including creative design tools (Canva, Clipchamp/ video editing tools, PowerPoint, etc.), Microsoft operating system and AI (Copilot, etc.). Knowledge of the media landscape and how to draw media attention and coverage.
• Experience recruiting, managing, and recognizing volunteers preferred.
• The ability to travel locally is required for up to 50% of work with occasional statewide travel.

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.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.

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.