Director State Affairs

JOB SUMMARY:

The New Jersey Director of State Affairs serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in NJ, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before NJ’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, community stakeholders and coalitions, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position is responsible for implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated state policy priorities including issues related to Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce and serves as a registered lobbyist with the state. The Director of State Affairs reports to Executive Director and represents the Alzheimer’s Association's NJ chapter.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's state policy priorities, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the National Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C.
• Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
• Testify regularly before state legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
• Develop and grow relationships with legislators, state government officials and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
• Track state legislation utilizing the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
• Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
• Lead the planning and execution of the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
• Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist as needed in the execution of state-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
• In consultation with Executive Director, provide regular updates to Association staff in the state, the chapter board, volunteer advocates and to staff in the Association’s National Public Policy Office.
• Collaborate with Association staff across the chapter regularly including Communications, Programs, Health Systems and the Executive Director to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Has current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in NJ.
• Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in NJ.
• Familiar with Medicaid, senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues.
• Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
• Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 to 7 years experience working in state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant state agency, preferably in NJ.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability/willingness to travel across the state, including some evenings and weekends (up to 30%).
• Travel by car and occasionally by air is required.
• Attend the Association's annual Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C.

JOB TITLE: New Jersey Director of State Affairs

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

LOCATION: Florham Park or Marlton, NJ

STATUS: Full time 37.5 hrs/week

GRADE: 309

Who We Are:

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia- by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row. 

At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity - meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. 

Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing