Senior State Advocacy Manager, State Consumer Health Advocacy Program (SCHAP)

Join an organization at the forefront of health advocacy across the nation

Community Catalyst is a leading 501(c) 3 non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to building a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state, and national advocates to leverage and build community power so all people can influence the decisions that impact their health.

Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. Follow us on Twitter @CommCatHealth.

POSITION SUMMARY

Our State Consumer Health Advocacy Program works with partners in more than 45 states to build consumer leadership and a strong, organized consumer voice to shape health policy and transform the health system at the federal, state, and local levels. We partner with state and local organizations to help them develop effective consumer advocacy networks and leverage their influence for multi-state and national impact through the use of our System of Advocacy.

The Senior State Advocacy Manager manages relationships with state and community-based advocacy organizations throughout the country, providing technical assistance using the System of Advocacy model to build organizations’ capacities. This role will manage a portfolio of state and local partners who are running campaigns to: expand the Medicaid program in non-expansion states; defend and build support for the Medicaid program; advance other policies addressing health care coverage, access, and affordability and health equity issues; and build community power through grassroots organizing efforts. A key element of the position is coaching advocacy groups and community organizations on planning issue campaigns, coalition building, grassroots organizing, strategic communications, policy strategy, and financial sustainability. The successful candidate will be a team player, a strong facilitator, and have the ability to take initiative within their scope of work. 

SUPERVISION

The Senior State Advocacy Manager will be supervised by the Associate Director, State Consumer Health Advocacy Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage relationships with state and local partner organizations across the country, including day-to-day interactions, grants and program requirements.
• Assist state and local partners to implement policy campaigns with special focus on coalition development and management, grassroots advocacy strategy, and campaign building.
• Work with partners to ensure a health justice and racial justice lens throughout their work.
• Catalyze and help lead strategies to bring anti-racism and health equity to the forefront in our program work and in the organization’s overall work. At different times, this may include leading formal or informal Community Catalyst teams or committees, coaching staff, conducting public speaking, leading workshops and conference calls, providing technical assistance and developing tools about health equity.
• Collaborate with other Community Catalyst staff to maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state and federal policy initiatives and advocacy strategies in order to identify and share potential issues and/or opportunities with local and state partners.
• Assist the State Consumer Health Advocacy Program with new and existing program design, proposal development, planning, evaluation, and reporting.
• Actively participate as a member of internal Community Catalyst teams, including helping to plan our annual conference and serving on our technical assistance provider team.
• Provide written contributions to grant proposals and funder reports, as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Serve on Community Catalyst’s Together for Medicaid team, working with state and local advocates to close the Medicaid coverage gap in non-expansion states and supporting our Together for Medicaid Learning Community.
• Build the capacity of state-based and grassroots organizations to advocate for change through coaching and facilitating peer-to-peer learning. Areas of support include: issue campaign planning, coalition-building, grassroots organizing, strategic communications, policy strategy, financial sustainability and organizational development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree plus 4 years relevant work experience or 6 years relevant work experience
• Experience in advocacy including grassroots organizing or campaign planning, and partnering with diverse coalitions and stakeholders
• Experience providing technical assistance, coaching, or training
• Proven skills in relationship development and collaboration, including a demonstrated ability to appreciate and adapt to different cultural communications norms and styles
• Strong verbal communication skills including experience with public speaking
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to convey complex information so it is easily understood by the public
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage several projects at once, respond to tight timelines, pay attention to detail and operate effectively and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated commitment to health justice and equity, and racial justice
• Previous leadership experience in:
  • partnering with program leadership to lead an initiative within a program or project
  •  identifying significant ways to improve project work, implementing those initiatives with approval of leadership. 

• Demonstrated experience and/or ability to build and manage key external relationships, such as with funders or national partners. 

Preferred

• Experience managing issues campaigns.
• Knowledge of health care, the Affordable Care Act, and Medicaid programs.
• Lived experience in the above-mentioned issue areas.

BENEFITS & SALARY RANGE

• Salary range: $62,150 – $68,000
• Generous paid time off policy
• Robust benefits package
• Location: Flexible, can be based anywhere with the USA. If the employee is not based on the East Coast, flexibility in supporting different time zones may be required.

Applicants should submit a resume with a one-page cover letter briefly summarizing their interest in and qualifications for the position to: jobs@communitycatalyst.org. Please put “Senior State Advocacy Manager, State Consumer Health Advocacy Program” in the subject line.

Community Catalyst is strongly committed to building a work environment that recognizes, respects, and encourages the unique contributions of a broad spectrum of qualified employees. We strive to make employment decisions that support inclusion to maintain a work atmosphere that is diverse, equitable and promotes family-friendly practices and work‐life benefits so that people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

We do not discriminate in hiring based on age, color, ethnicity, race, national origin, primary language, religion, socio‐economic status, family status, mental and physical disabilities, veteran status, gender identity characteristics and/or expression, sex, medical condition, sexual orientation or any other classification that is protected by federal, state, or local law.

Through all of our programs, Community Catalyst works to build a better future for all individuals by advancing health equity, focusing on people of color, immigrants, as well as disability, gender, sexual identity and socioeconomic status. It is important for our staff to reflect the diverse communities with which we work. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender‐nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

https://www.communitycatalyst.org/about/employment-opportunities/senior-state-advocacy-manager-state-consumer-health-advocacy-program-schap