The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. We are the largest private funder of Alzheimer research and the premier source of information and support for the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease and their 11 million families and caregivers. Number 85 on the Philanthropy 400 and ranked eighth in the health care sector, the Alzheimer's Association was recently named one of Non-Profit Times 50 best places to work for 2010.

The Alzheimer's Association has been a catalyst for a generation of advancements in Alzheimer policy, research and care on behalf of an estimated 5.3 million people with Alzheimer's disease in the United States. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Chicago, the Alzheimer's Association is the leading advocate for Alzheimer policies that will improve the lives of these millions of Americans and their families.

To enhance and strengthen this work, the organization seeks a Director of State Affairs. The Director of State Affairs is responsible for: (1) managing state government relations efforts; (2) monitoring developments in the state affairs environment; (3) ensuring a solid policy foundation for state affairs efforts; (4) representing the Association in relevant state affairs coalitions; and, (5) maintaining compliance with relevant legal obligations.

This person will manage state government relations efforts and monitor state affairs environment for the Association's Public Policy division based in Washington, DC. The Director will report to the Senior Director, Government Affairs, also based in the Washington office.

We seek an individual with experience working with state government officials, their staffs and other key policymakers. The successful candidate must be a strong team player and enjoy working in a collegial yet highly demanding and effective culture. Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, execute strategy, and operate with confidentiality will also be required as are excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills. We seek an individual with an appreciation for the complexities of working within a large voluntary health organization. In addition, the preferred candidate will have a strong mission orientation and a passion for advocacy on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association and the people it represents.

The Director of State Affairs is responsible for ensuring that the following responsibilities are accomplished, either directly or by delegation for:

Managing state government relations efforts by:
Directing the execution of state campaigns to advance the Division's state policy priorities;
Representing the Association before state governments and with relevant state government associations;
Serving as liaison between state governments and other divisions of the Association;
Requesting of the Department of Advocacy the execution of grassroots actions by chapter staff and volunteers in support of state affairs objectives, and providing feedback to the Department of Advocacy on the effectiveness of such actions; and,
Preparing materials to equip both chapter staff and volunteers to advocate effectively in support of state affairs objectives.

Monitoring developments in the state affairs environment by:
Discovering, Analyzing, and, Alzheimer's Association and/or its affiliated chapter network to accomplish shared strategic objectives
Reporting state government related developments that could materially impact efforts by the National

Preparing the foundation for effective state affairs by:
Identifying state policy positions that should be created or modified;
Working with the Senior Director of Government Affairs and other staff of the Alzheimer's Association in the creation or modification of state policy positions;
Ensuring that there is at all times a clear, shared understanding of state policy priorities within the Division, and that these priorities are clearly and consistently communicated to stakeholders outside the Division; and,
Managing the development of state proposals and initiatives to advance state policy positions.

Represent the Association in relevant state affairs coalitions as requested by the Senior Director of Government Affairs.

Assisting in the public health activities of the Healthy Brain Initiative as they relate to state government and state officials, as requested by the Senior Director of Government Affairs.

Maintaining compliance with legal obligations assumed in the execution of the above responsibilities

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree.
Six years in state government or equivalent experience.

Contact Please apply directly at https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=532487.

Additional opportunities available, visit us at www.alz.org/jobs - search under National Office Chapter.

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