Community Engagement and Grassroots Advocacy Manager

Planned Parenthood of Maryland (PPM) is a not-for-profit family planning agency that provides high-quality, affordable reproductive health care for women, men, and teens. Our mission is to enable all Marylanders to have access to a wide range of high-quality, affordable reproductive health care services. We help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health, family planning options, and sexuality.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Public Affairs, the Community Engagement & Grassroots Advocacy Manager will develop strategies to maximize PPM's grassroots advocacy network, opportunities and projects; plan and support PPM/PPADMV's major outreach events; manage PPM's speakers bureau; identify new strategic partnerships and maintain existing relationships; work with PA staff on government affairs activities; support the Development Department's reporting requirements and draft grant applications; and, develop project plans for PA department activities. This position will have one direct report.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Grassroots Advocacy Initiatives and Outreach:
• o Coordinate response to requests for PPM engagement with VP of PA, PPM departments and external organizations
• o In Coordination with Vice President of Public Affairs, develop strategies to maximize PPMs grassroots advocacy network, opportunities and projects (e.g.: Faith Based advocates program; Employee Advocates Program)
• o Serve as lead on grassroots advocacy projects
• o Manage the execution of Campus Organizing/PPGen program; Black Organizing Program; La Raiz Program; etc
• o Provide ongoing guidance on utilizing VAN. Oversee data input into VAN
• o Plan and support PPM/PPADMV’s major outreach events (Manage Department resources (swag); Manage PPM response by ensuring tables are adequately staffed, organizing volunteers, etc.)
• o Develop and execute programming that furthers PPM’s and PA Department objectives and values
• Manage PPM’s Speakers Bureau:
• o In coordination with VP of PA create expansion goals; implement expansion and retention plans. Maintain active cohorts
• o Responsible for developing Speakers Bureau training program; oversee training program
• o Deploy Speakers Bureau resources
• o Maintain database of Speakers—identify Speakers’ expertise and deployment opportunities
• Strategic Partnerships:
• o Identify new partnership opportunities
• o Maintain relationships with existing organizations and legislative partners while building effective relationships with new partners
• o Support PA Department and CEO office with partnership activities
• o Develop and manage Faith-Based partnership/advocacy coalition
• Communication Strategy:
• o Provide input into the development of PPM and PPADMV communication strategy
• o Execute C3 and C4 communication strategy as necessary
• Government Affairs:
• o Work with PA Staff to advocate on behalf of PPM and PPADMV at the State, Local and Federal levels to include, but not limited to:
• Identify, recruit and organize advocates (Patient advocates/employee advocates/etc.) to speak with elected officials
• Prepare and send relevant grassroots communications
• Organize specific advocacy efforts such as “phone banking”, rallies, etc
• Work with PA Department to staff and organize various government affairs events (e.g.: legislative reception; Hill Days; bill hearings)
• Grants and Development:
• o Support Development Department reporting requirements
• o Draft grant applications for PPFA PACE grants and other grants as applicable
• o Assist Development Department with grant proposals and Development initiatives
• Project Management and Strategic Alignment:
• o Develop strong project plans for PA Department activities
• o Ensure PA Department activities are in line with PPM’s strategic plans, goals and vision
• o In coordination with the VP of PA evaluate if Department work remains within PPM’s core values and scope
• o Utilize technology and PPM communication protocols to increase efficiency and Department accountability (e.g.: “Tick tocks”, project plans, SharePoint and Planner etc.)
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
• o The Public Affairs Specialist will report to this role
  
  
  

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree highly preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Sexual/Reproductive Health, Healthcare Administration, advocacy and/or legislative affairs
• Well-established relationships with SRH stakeholders, related boards/commissions, and/or elected officials preferred
• Equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training is acceptable
  
  
  

Other:

• Manage projects; develop and implement strategies to meet departmental goals
• Present ideas, concepts and positions both orally and in writing
• Facilitate meetings and organize small event logistics
• Working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures used in advocacy, outreach, and legislative affairs
• Comfort and familiarity with public speaking and presenting to audiences
• Represent Planned Parenthood of Maryland before a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated experience building coalitions and partnerships, developing relationships
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate across differences, as well as hear and act on feedback related to identity and equity with an openness to learn
• Become a subject matter expert on PPM’s provision of care and business practices; healthcare administration and/or health policy
• Commit to Planned Parenthood's In This Together service ethos, workplace values, and service standards
• Confidentiality: Will be exposed to confidential information whose disclosure would be contrary to the best interest of the agency, the employee, the patient, facility and professional ethics
• Licenses: Possession of a valid Maryland motor vehicle operator’s license and willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment
• Physical Demand: Must be able to talk, hear and read documents both on paper and on a computer screen. Must be able to operate a computer, including keyboarding with repetitive motions of both hands and wrists. Must be able to move freely throughout and between PPM locations. Work is usually performed in an office environment, and travel between locations will be necessary. During peak activity, the position may require work in excess of 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week, and will involve evening, weekend and/or early morning hours. During legislative session primary work locations will be in Annapolis, MD and Baltimore, MD with occasional travel to Washington, DC. Must have ability to lift 10 pounds for the occasional need
• Mental Demand: Use of acquired knowledge and experience, problem solving skills, organizational skills, judgment and tact. Must have ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents, including employment law and regulations. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to define problems, collect data, and establish facts. Must be able to function efficiently in a fast-paced environment despite distractions and interruptions
  
  
  

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life, AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
  
  
  

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Planned Parenthood of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry), disability, genetic information, pregnancy, military status, or any other protected characteristics outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves or absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants must pass Criminal Background Screening and the Right to Work in the United States.

PPM Requires COVID-19 Vaccination.