Manager, State Governmental Affairs

American Academy of Ophthalmology Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Academy of Ophthalmology in Washington, DC seeks a Manager, State Governmental Affairs to advance state advocacy strategies and monitor policy developments, using AI-enabled tools to strengthen monitoring and stakeholder engagement.

You will build coalitions with state ophthalmology societies, contract lobbyists, and policymakers, coordinate communications, and support fundraising for advocacy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of state and federal legislative, regulatory, and political processes.
• Experience coordinating contract lobbyists, public affairs consultants, and coalitions across states.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, actionable messages for diverse audiences.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools for legislative monitoring and advocacy planning.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute state legislative, regulatory, and advocacy strategies.
• Manage relationships with state ophthalmology societies, lobbyists, policymakers, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate communications with contract lobbying teams and coalition partners.
• Create advocacy resources: fact sheets, talking points, briefs, and materials.
• Lead grassroots networks and coalition-building efforts across states.
• Leverage data analytics and AI to monitor policy developments and inform strategy.

Skills

Government affairs

Lobbying

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Communications

Data analytics

AI in advocacy

Public policy

Education

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Teams

SharePoint

CRM systems

Job description

Full Time 30-39 Hours WASHINGTON, DC, US

6 days ago Requisition ID: 1083

About Us

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, dedicated to advancing the lifelong learning and professional interests of the ophthalmic community. Our Annual Meeting is one of the largest medical gatherings in the U.S., drawing attendees from around the globe.

Position Summary

The Manager, State Governmental Affairs supports the development and implementation of state legislative, regulatory, and public affairs strategies that advance the Academy’s advocacy priorities. The role develops and maintains relationships with state ophthalmology societies, lobbyists and consultants, medical organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders, while analyzing state policy developments and helping implement advocacy strategies that support patient access to high-quality physician-led eye care. The Manager also uses data analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging advocacy technologies to strengthen legislative monitoring, stakeholder engagement, communications, strategic planning, and operational effectiveness.

This position supports one of the Academy’s core priorities by advancing state advocacy initiatives that promote patient safety, preserve access to high-quality eye care, and protect the ability of ophthalmologists to provide comprehensive medical and surgical eye care.

Role and Responsibilities

1. State Advocacy and Public Affairs Strategy

Support the development and execution of legislative, regulatory, and advocacy strategies that advance Academy priorities and respond to emerging public policy challenges.

• Conduct legislative and regulatory analysis and prepare policy briefs, issue papers, presentations, and testimony.
• Draft legislation, amendments, comments, and other policy-related materials.
• Develop advocacy resources, including fact sheets, talking points, issue briefs, and stakeholder communications for physician leaders, lobbyists, policymakers, media, patients, and the public.
• Build, manage, and maintain grassroots advocacy networks that support state ophthalmology policy objectives.
• Coordinate ongoing communications with state society executive directors, physician leadership, and contract lobbying and consulting teams.
• Coordinate coalition-building efforts within the medical community and among consumer, patient, and stakeholder organizations with shared healthcare policy interests.
• Develop and implement digital, social media, earned media, and artificial intelligence-enabled strategies that support the Academy’s state advocacy agenda.
• Monitor legislative, political, and regulatory developments and recommend advocacy opportunities and responses to emerging challenges.
• Provide support to state advocacy fundraising initiatives as needed.

2. Proactive State Advocacy Programs

Support the development, implementation, and advancement of Academy and State Governmental Affairs programs designed to promote patient safety, improve access to care, and strengthen the practice environment for ophthalmology through the Quality Eye Care Program for the States.

• Support topical drug waste reduction initiatives.
• Support early eye drop prescription initiatives.
• Help advance additional proactive public policy initiatives that promote patient care and elevate the value of the ophthalmology profession.

3. Internal Member Communications

• Collaborate with the Advocacy Communications Manager to educate and engage Academy members regarding state advocacy priorities, legislative developments, and opportunities for political involvement.
• Develop content for Academy communications vehicles, including the Washington Report Express, action alerts, advocacy updates, website content, and member engagement campaigns.

4. State and Federal Policy Coordination

• When appropriate, collaborate with federal affairs staff to develop coordinated strategies on issues with both state and federal policy implications, including scope of practice, Veterans Health Administration initiatives, telehealth and technology issues, and online vision care policies.
• Share policy intelligence and coordinate advocacy activities to support alignment between state and federal initiatives.

Qualifications, Skills, and Education Requirements

Government Affairs and Political Expertise

• Strong understanding of state and federal legislative, regulatory, and political processes.
• Experience developing and implementing state-level government affairs, lobbying, and public policy strategies.
• Experience managing and coordinating contract lobbyists, public affairs consultants, political strategists, and coalition partners across multiple states.
• Knowledge of policy development, political dynamics, and factors influencing legislative and regulatory decision-making.
• Experience using artificial intelligence and data-driven tools for legislative monitoring, policy research, stakeholder analysis, advocacy planning, and political intelligence.
• Understanding of political campaign and fundraising environments and their impact on public policy and advocacy efforts.

Public Affairs and Strategic Outreach

• Experience developing and implementing public affairs, grassroots advocacy, and stakeholder engagement campaigns using traditional, digital, social media, and emerging communications platforms.
• Experience managing external communications firms, media consultants, digital strategists, and other vendors in support of advocacy and legislative objectives.
• Strong content development, messaging, and communications skills, including advocacy-oriented materials and multimedia content.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling messages for policymakers, stakeholders, media, members, and the public.

Project Management, Communication, and Analysis

• Ability to manage multiple teams of lobbyists, consultants, state society executives, coalition partners, and other stakeholders in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and political judgment, with the ability to identify opportunities and help implement effective advocacy initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate legislative, regulatory, policy, and business issues through presentations, reports, briefing materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams, and SharePoint, and experience using CRM, membership management, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, legislative tracking, or constituent relationship management systems.
• Experience managing project budgets, contracts, vendors, and other resources associated with government affairs and advocacy programs.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong coalition-building and relationship-management abilities.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including proficiency with legislative tracking systems, electronic databases, data analytics, and artificial intelligence-enabled research tools.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, exercise sound judgment, and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Education

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Work Environment and Travel

This position is based in Washington, D.C. and follows a hybrid schedule with 3 days work time in the office.

Travel is required for the Academy's Annual Meeting and other meetings, totaling approximately 7 to 10days annually.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to travel approximately 6–12 days annually.