State Government Relations Director

As we celebrate our Centennial year, we invite you to join us in shaping the next century of impact. Be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives as we remain devoted to a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere. At the American Heart Association, your contribution matters, and so does your career.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a State Government Relations Director in Illinois. 

***In order to be considered for this role, you must live in the state and be within commute of the State Capital.***

The State Government Relations Director is responsible for serving as the primary representative of the American Heart Association to the assigned state legislature, state executive branch and associated state agencies to generate awareness and support for the Association's public policy agenda. You will strategically coordinate and lead efforts to advance the state public policy priorities. Additionally, this position is responsible for identifying and encouraging local public policy work related to the Association’s mission throughout Illinois. This role is responsible for working with staff, volunteers, coalitions, and partner organizations to build support for our policy issues and to integrate advocacy messaging into the Association's programs and events.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is our company culture, our way of life, reflecting our diversity, equity & inclusion, our focus on work-life harmonization and our Guiding Values. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued™ at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

• Strategically coordinate and oversee all elements of successful public policy priority campaigns.
• Meets with members of the state legislature, their staff, and other state government officials to gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Meets with local elected officials and collaborators to improve opportunities and gain support for the American Heart Association’s advocacy issues.
• Monitors and engages on state-level legislative and regulatory issues of concern to the American Heart Association and apprises appropriate volunteers and staff of emerging advocacy issues.
• Provides policy research, development of support materials, recruitment of spokespersons, preparation of testimony, and other activities as needed to advance our state and local legislative agenda.
• Participates in coalition building efforts and other collaborative partnerships designed to strengthen opportunities that advance our advocacy issues.
• Recruits membership for and provides staff support to volunteer state advocacy committee(s). Collaborates with the committee to develop an annual state legislative agenda.
• Provides strategic direction on statewide grassroots and key contact, recruitment, retention and mobilization efforts. Provides strategic direction and support materials for state lobby days and/or local in-district meetings.
• Collaborates with communications staff partners on development and timing of media advocacy efforts.
• Prepares required reporting information including local, state and/or federal lobbying reports and other reporting as necessary.
• Provides advocacy presentations and training opportunities to volunteers and staff as needed.
• Attends and participates in meetings throughout the year, including national and regional staff trainings, regional and state-level meetings with staff partners, and metro board meetings.

Want to help get your resume to the top?   Take a look at the experience we require:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, related field or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of:
• Experience and success in legislative and regulatory lobbying.
• Experience building and managing issue advocacy coalitions.
• Experience developing and implementing grassroots and media advocacy tactics.
• Possess policy analysis and technical (legislative and regulatory) writing skills.
• Ability to simultaneously prioritize multiple, sophisticated projects in varying stages of development under time constraints.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, budgeting, and prioritizing work.
• Exceptional oral and written communications skills.
• Must be able to travel overnight approx. 25% of the time.

Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:

• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience working in health care policy.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Understanding and appreciation for the use of technology and information systems.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.
  
  
• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success by merit increases and incentive programs, based on the type of position.  
  
• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution.  As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.
  
  
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program.  HeartU is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
  
  
• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees.  The number of days will increase based on seniority level.  You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.
  
  
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees.  This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2024 Goal: Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities. We're committed to ensuring our workforce, workplace culture and mission have a shared impact across a diverse set of backgrounds.

This position not a match with your skills?  Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities