Dir, Federal Advocacy

TITLE:

Director, Federal Advocacy

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Sr Director, Federal Advocacy 

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

Lobby, promote, and represent the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to Congress, the Administration, and the public on policies and positions on federal legislative, judicial, and regulatory issues affecting infants, children, adolescents, and pediatricians. Develop, implement, and monitor strategic action plans on AAP priority issues. Develop and provide strategic counsel for Executive Committee/Board and AAP committees and councils. Serve in a leadership capacity in and promote AAP goals and policies to coalitions. Represent AAP to outside groups/associations, both nationally and internationally. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Lobby Congress. Advise Congressional Members and staff on AAP positions and concerns on specific issues and gain their support. Suggest legislative and other strategies. Analyze proposed legislation and recommend appropriate actions. Develop and employ necessary action(s) to achieve desired outcomes. Draft testimony, correspondence, legislative amendments, floor statements, and other documents. Prepare witnesses. Develop and maintain a network of appropriate contacts, and foster relationships necessary to achieve AAP’s agenda for children.

2.    Lobby the Executive Branch. Advise regulatory and Administration officials on AAP positions and concerns on specific issues. Analyze regulations and other government actions and prepare comments in consultation with AAP committees and councils. Initiate and coordinate administrative and regulatory responses/interaction. Provide analyses for AAP members as needed.  

3.    Organize, coordinate, and participate in national coalitions important to AAP. Attend meetings as AAP representative. Report developments to AAP senior staff and/or AAP committees, councils, and staff, involving Academy members when appropriate.  

4.    Provide necessary staffing and resources to AAP senior staff, the Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.

5.    Staff, as assigned, selected AAP committees, councils, task forces, and project advisory bodies.  Attend and participate in meetings and present briefings/updates and analyses on relevant issues.  Coordinate AAP stakeholders on federal issues that cross jurisdiction of multiple committees and councils.

6.    Educate and engage AAP members on advocacy issues. Deliver speeches and prepare materials to educate members on effective advocacy. Participate in advocacy education efforts, including the annual Legislative Conference, the Annual Leadership Forum, the National Conference & Exhibition, Advocacy Days, and other AAP advocacy meetings.  Plan and organize the Legislative Conference on a rotating basis.

7.    Serve as a resource to other headquarters staff as needed. Maintain positive collegial working relationships. 

8.    Engage staff in other organizations, businesses, and/or foundations with interests in pediatric and child health issues to develop and maintain positive working relationships and collaborate on issues important to the AAP.

9.    Supervise and direct assigned staff.  Encourage a work environment that promotes inclusion and belonging of all staff.  Support ongoing staff development, help set objectives, and evaluate performance, and promote and enhance staff capacity in skills necessary to achieve goals. Ensure staff operate in a fiscally prudent manner, maintain confidentiality, operate with the highest ethical standards, and provide excellent service to members and volunteers. 

10.    Oversee actions of outside legal counsel on legislative/regulatory issues and process in a timely manner. 

11.    Assist the Sr. Director, Federal and State Advocacy in maintaining appropriate reports and correspondence for the AAP senior staff, Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and Committee on Federal Government Affairs. 

12.    Maintain professional expertise in current lobbying disclosure and ethics laws and regulations. 

13.    Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, science, health, government or other related discipline required; JD or other related advanced degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

At least five years’ relevant experience on Capitol Hill, with the federal government, or an advocacy organization, with a strong working knowledge of the legislative and regulatory process is required. Expertise in health and human services policy, as well as managing grant projects is preferred. Previous supervisory or team lead experience as well as a demonstrated commitment to advancing child health and well-being is required.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

Excellent diplomacy, interpersonal, political judgement, negotiation, critical thinking, project management, leadership, and verbal/written communication skills required. Must be able to assume a full range of delegated responsibilities, work both independently and as part of a team, exercise good judgment, take initiative, collaborate effectively with various internal and external constituents, and contribute to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Strong technical acumen essential with proficiency in MS Office and database management and the ability to learn and apply new technologies to advance work activities; knowledge of web collaboration platforms (eg, SharePoint) and virtual meeting platforms (eg, WebEx, Teams, Zoom) preferred. Regular travel and evening/weekend work required, as well as the need for flexibility in accommodating physicians’ availability.

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $144,838.17 - $152,884.94. Compensation decisions take into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, business needs, and organizational policies. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare and retirement savings plans. Click to see all benefits offered: https://downloads.aap.org/DOHRAS/BenefitsAtAAP.pdf.

Hybrid work environment of 40% of work time in the office per month.

To learn more about the organization, see a full job description, and/or apply for the position, please visit https://www.aap.org/employment.

The AAP offers an excellent work environment, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. As a reaffirmation to our employee-focused culture, since 2005 the AAP has been named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans that values the strength diversity brings to our workplace.

Reasonable Accommodation: Individuals with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation regarding the job application process may call 630-626-6297. Please note, only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will receive a response.