State Advocacy Manager

Who We Are

United States of Care (USofCare) is a non-partisan non-profit organization on a mission to ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care regardless of health status, social need, or income. We champion fair and commonsense policy changes to meet people’s urgent needs: the certainty that their health care will be affordable, that their coverage will be dependable and there when they need it, that their health care is personalized, and that the system is easy to understand and navigate.

In order to achieve our people-centered mission, USofCare has developed highly intentional organizational values and we are committed to building a diverse team at all levels of our organization, cultivating an inclusive culture, and engaging with people who bring different perspectives and lived experiences to our efforts. Our values are how we work internally and externally, what we hold up and celebrate, and what we are constantly striving for and aspiring to be as an organization. View our values at unitedstatesofcare.org/who-we-are. 

In building our team, at every level we value and prioritize inclusion and diverse perspectives. Seeking unity over uniformity, we pay attention to the diverse interests, abilities, needs and backgrounds of every employee and strive to create an environment where everyone is heard and feels that they belong. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply to join our growing team.

Position Overview and Responsibilities
United States of Care (USofCare) is seeking a State Advocacy Manager to join its growing team. The State Advocacy Manager will play a key role in developing state campaigns to further USofCare’s work and provide support on policy issues aimed at breaking down barriers to accessing high-quality and affordable health care. 

The State Advocacy Manager is responsible for executing state campaigns focused on the objectives of USofCare and seeking opportunities to work with states interested in advancing components of USofCare’s proactive policy agenda, which is shaped by USofCare’s research about what people need and want from the health care system. The State Advocacy Manager should be familiar with health care policy issues and current affairs and should be able to think strategically about how USofCare can navigate the political landscape in any given state in order to advance USofCare’s objectives. This position will engage with state-level advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders and will require building strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders to respond to needs as they arise. The State Advocacy Manager may work on a variety of issue-specific campaigns, including but not limited to, expanding access to health insurance coverage through public programs and public health insurance options, improving the affordability of health care by addressing underlying costs, and ensuring access to preventive, primary, and culturally responsive care. 

The day to day work for the State Advocacy Manager will  include managing issue-specific campaigns in a portfolio of states, including developing work plans, representing USofCare at meetings and meeting facilitation with state partners, state policymakers, health care industry stakeholders and other external partners, identifying campaign messaging and collateral needs like fact sheets and talking points, and working with vendors and contractors. The State Advocacy Manager will provide project management and legislative tracking in their  portfolio of states and be responsible for project-based grant deliverables, conduct analysis necessary to develop organizational positions on various health care issues and identify new opportunities for state campaigns with USofCare team members and relevant state partners.

Working in close collaboration with the entire USofCare Policy and External Affairs team, the State Advocacy Manager will report to the State External Affairs and Partnerships Director and may be responsible for overseeing the work of junior staff and/or managing interns. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is self-directed, curious, organized, and shares USofCare’s commitment to people-centered policy change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. You should be comfortable in a fast-paced environment where tasks, priorities, and deadlines can change quickly. You have a passion for learning, understanding, and exploring new ideas. You are not afraid to ask questions, speak up, and be an active and engaged member of our team. You value collaboration and attention to detail and can work effectively across teams and departments within the organization. 

Required Qualifications

• To be successful in this role, you must have a strong commitment to ensuring everyone has access to quality, affordable health care, and have a dedication to operating in a diverse, bipartisan, learning atmosphere that explores multiple policy solutions to achieve our mission. You are willing to respect different points of view, and are committed to applying an equity lens and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in all your work; 
• Four or more years of experience* working on or directing state-level policy, including demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategy in legislative, budget, or regulatory environments; (*In addition to paid professional experience, we welcome candidates with transferable experiences that demonstrate the critical skills necessary for this role.)
• Demonstrated experience building coalitions, relationships with new partners, campaign plans, and ability to think strategically about problem solving and determine who is “missing from the table”; 
• Strong project and time management skills, with great attention to detail; 
• Experience lobbying, working with, or managing contract lobbyists; 
• Excellent communication and writing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Can thrive in an environment where the path forward isn’t always clear; 
• Strong computer proficiency, specifically with the Google Suite of applications; and 
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends, as necessary due to the schedules of state legislative sessions. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of health care policy and program areas in both public and private sectors, such as private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, or other policy areas related to increasing access to care, social determinants of health, promoting health equity, and addressing costs and affordability; 
• Experience working with consumers or patiences, and the ability to understand and leverage their stories; 
• Experience in a policy or advocacy organization, preferably with a focus on health care or closely related issue area;
• Established relationships with advocates, legislators, or other policymakers at the state level;
• Understanding of the dynamics of 501(c)(3) versus 501(c)(4) organizations and capabilities; and
• Experience managing others.

Work at United States of Care

USofCare is committed to equity in our compensation policy. The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000, annually, depending on experience and location. 

United States of Care offers a very generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance in addition to a 403b retirement plan with match and flexible paid time off. A full summary of benefits is available upon request. 

This position is full-time and is fully remote. This position requires occasional travel. Candidates may be located anywhere in the United States. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. United States of Care is unable to commence (“sponsor”) an immigration case in order to employ an applicant.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply at www.usofcare.org/careers and submit your name, contact information, and resume and cover letter to be considered for the position. 

The position is open until filled, and the hiring committee will begin screening applications to schedule first round interviews beginning on November 6th. 

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United States of Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values a multicultural, diverse working environment. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to apply. We prohibit discrimination of employment, promotion, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on gender, disability, race, age, national origin, color, creed, sexual orientation, sex (including marital and parental status), gender identity and expression, religion, economic status, ethnic identity, veteran's status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

https://unitedstatesofcare.org/career/state-advocacy-manager/?positionApplying=State+Advocacy+Manager