Manager, Policy and Advocacy

Overview:

Respiratory Health Association is a 501(c)3 local lung health charity based in Chicago since 1906. We believe in a future free of lung disease. A world without lung cancer, asthma, or COPD. A world with clean air, where everyone breathes easier. To achieve that goal, we collaborate with researchers in a relentless pursuit of new treatments and cures. We empower adults and children living with lung disease by teaching them skills to manage their health. We work with lawmakers to craft innovative policies that promote healthy communities, reduce tobacco use, protect our environment, and build a more sustainable future.

The Manager of Policy and Advocacy (SMPA) works with RHA’s Policy and Programs Team. The SMPA is responsible for oversight of ongoing lung health and environmental policy positions within the organization and actions related to the organizationally expressed policy goals. The SMPA also supports, nurtures, and grows relationships primarily with advocates, but also with coalitions, grasstops and grassroots partners, legislators, and other elected officials.

The SMPA provides that support by researching policy initiatives and serving as a resource for collaborators and elected officials at all levels of government. The SMPA develops strategy and evaluates and researches targets and agency stakeholders to accomplish policy goals with the tools RHA provides and is responsible for the creation and circulation of action alerts, updates on policy positions, advocate events, and communication with advocates. This position requires expertise in fostering relationships, strategy for action and engagement, and a knowledge of how to communicate to different audiences with different levels of exposure to the issue area. The position also requires knowledge of coalitions and working groups operating on policy activities at the local, state, and federal levels with regard to the RHA issue area policy priorities. The SMPA works with the programs and remaining policy team, including any RHA lobbyists, regarding the movement of policy and the appropriation of issue-connected budgetary funds, especially at the state and local levels. The SMPA must also be comfortable doing public-facing work representing the organization. As funding and workplan allows, the SMPA may be asked to specifically focus on a policy area that needs attention, as well as continue working interdepartmentally to keep communication a priority with not only primary outreach contacts but RHA's events participants, donors, volunteers, etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Become familiar with yearly policy objectives relating to asthma, tobacco, COPD, air quality and environmental concerns, and general lung health objectives at the state and local level, as well as large federally impactful legislation (i.e., banning of flavored e-cigarettes).
• Regularly reach out and communicate with specialized advocacy groups: Advocacy Champions and Health Professionals for Healthy Lungs
• Assist people who connect with RHA on secondhand smoke issues.
• Prepare and update policy documents for board and advocacy partners.
• Reach out to advocates via email or phone to promote them on the ladder of engagement
• Maintain relationships with coalitions and related organizations for collaboration and policy advancement.
• Strategize advocacy agenda by using specific tactics to achieve policy and advocacy goals
• Create and circulate action alerts to advocates and partners
• Develop relationships with elected officials by providing them with advocate engagement as well as pertinent lung health information and educational resources.
• Link advocates, coalitions, partners, and collaborators to external resources
• Engage regularly with staff from partner organizations and participate in monthly meetings to assess project status and ensure progress toward goals
• Maintain internal tracking systems for engagement.
• Develop and maintain database of advocates to ensure statewide coverage
• Assist with report writing and financial reporting
• Communicate, collaborate, and meet regularly with Programs, MarCom, Development, Policy, and Special Events staff

Requirements:

• Minimum of three years of policy/advocacy experience, or equivalent
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Be able to work independently
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate
• Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills; demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with other staff and other organizations; demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum.
• Demonstrated commitment to community organizing and ability to work constructively with grassroots partners.
• Basic knowledge of legislative and administrative processes.
• Ability to analyze and articulate policy concepts and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences; a “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and to adjust to changing project priorities, especially during the state legislative session