Regional Advocacy Director, Western Region

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Regional Advocacy Director (RAD) is responsible for providing hands-on strategic and tactical support to tobacco control campaigns and coalitions on legislative, ballot and/or regulatory issues at the local and state levels. This position is based in the Western Region (currently AK, ID, MT, OR, WA) and supports select city and state campaigns and coalitions within the region. This position reports to the Vice President of State Advocacy.

WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH:

• Provide strategic, tactical support on behalf of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to state and local campaigns and coalitions in the region.
• In selected locations and in collaboration with partners, lead the development and implementation of comprehensive campaign plans to address Tobacco-Free Kids’ top policy priorities.
• Mobilize other Tobacco-Free Kids resources and personnel as appropriate.
• Actively support authentic inclusion of priority population groups and individuals in campaigns and coalitions.
• Represent Tobacco-Free Kids at national, state, and local meetings.
• Interact with policymakers and other key officials as necessary.
• Work with the Communications Team to develop local/state communications plans for campaigns, and interact with local media as needed to be source and spokesperson on behalf of the organization and/or local coalitions.
• Maintain strong communications with the Vice President, State Advocacy and other key Tobacco-Free Kids personnel.
• Maintain positive relationships with national and local partner organizations. Ensure good coordination of efforts with partners in the region.
• Maintain good communication with other Tobacco-Free Kids departments and staff to inform them of legislative developments within the region.
• Attend, and participate in, regular meetings and produce status reports.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist state coalitions with bill drafting, lobbying, media advocacy, grassroots development and mobilization, and grant applications.
• Hire and manage campaign consultants in your region by actively managing work plans, tasks, and overall consulting agreements.
• Manage large campaign budgets of up to $2M which includes contract management, scope of work development, etc.
• Mobilize Tobacco-Free Kids’ resources as appropriate on behalf of specific advocacy campaigns.
•  Develop and manage strategies to recruit, retain, and mobilize grassroots activists in the field.
• Serve as a resource to states on policy issues.

SKILLS YOU'LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in political science or other related fields
• Seven (7) years of successful experience in executing and managing legislative campaigns and/or ballot referendum initiatives and/or advocacy-oriented membership or nonprofit organizations, trade associates, or unions. Experience should include conducting community outreach, grassroots and grass tops cultivation, lobbying, field strategy development, and public education efforts.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of advocacy.
• Knowledge of state legislative and political processes.
• Experience with and commitment to addressing health disparities and grassroots mobilizing among priority population groups. Previous experience in tobacco control is preferred but not required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
•  Ability to travel as necessary.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment while juggling projects and deadlines.
• Experience working with broad-based, diverse coalitions.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with a variety of computer software applications including
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. 

This is a remote position but the RAD must live in a state within the region they represent. The Western Region currently includes WA, OR, MT, AK and MT.