Director, Advocacy & Policy

WHO WE ARE:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

Position Overview:

The Director of Advocacy and Policy works closely with the AVP of State Advocacy & Policy to identify and develop the Society’s policy priorities and supports colleagues across the country in evaluating legislation and advancing the Society’s positions at the state level. This position works cross-functionally and supports communications to activists, partner organizations, and public officials on our policy priorities. The position leads the advocacy and activist engagement work in New York and Massachusetts, directly lobbying elected officials and engaging activists.

The Director of Advocacy and Policy will have the ability to work primarily from home, and due to the nature and expectations of the role, we are needing this role to be based locally in either Albany, NY or Boston, MA.

Essential Functions / Responsibility

Policy Identification & Development - 30%

• As part of the State Policy Team, analyze legislative proposals and regulatory activity at the state level, and assist with the development of policy positions on behalf of the Advocacy Team and the organization.
• Provide policy analysis and technical assistance for state-focused colleagues across the country.
• Evaluate new and existing policy issues through the lens of social determinants of health and health equity.
• Develop and update resource materials and training needs around the Society’s policy priorities to ensure colleagues are kept up to date on the latest policy positions.
• Partner with other departments as appropriate to identify policy issues.

Advocacy & Policy Responsibilities - 40%

• Lead advocacy strategy in New York and Massachusetts to advance 2-3 of Society’s priorities.
• Identify policy issues by evaluating existing programs and identifying gaps in services in consultation with volunteers, providers, staff, and others as appropriate.
• Employ strategic thinking to prioritize issues.
• Consult with staff and volunteers to develop state advocacy initiatives.
• Facilitate new alliances and collaborate with other like-minded agencies, advocacy groups, and coalitions involved in policy initiatives.
• Recruit and engage MS Activists in activism role(s) (Grassroots and Grasstops at both the state and federal level).
• Ensure MS Activists have opportunities to participate in Society advocacy events including, but not limited to, the annual Public Policy Conference in Washington, DC, Congressional In-District visits, and/or advocacy days at the state Capitol and that their experience generates year-round engagement.
• Plan and implement State Action Day, the Society’s state day at the Capitol.

Team Responsibilities - 10%

• Participate, or lead, work groups, and contribute to the ongoing functional work, including, but not limited to, policy development and volunteer engagement.
• Participate in and contribute to monthly meetings with the Advocacy Leadership and Management Team.
• Contribute to team meetings; provide support and feedback to colleagues.
• Utilize matrix management techniques to foster relationships with local market leaders.
• Identify and use best practices and centrally developed materials to communicate with MS Activists on state policy and advocacy progress and engagement.
• Serve as external spokesperson when needed.
• Support local market staff as needed and within capacity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Supervision - 20%

• Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, and continued development of direct reports.
• Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure staff are fully supported in their role.
• Ensure staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to perform job duties effectively as well as opportunities for professional development.
• Coach and collaborate on goal-setting and professional development plans and conduct formal and informal performance conversations.
• Hold staff accountable to the cultural values of the organization and ensure they follow Society operating principles.

Role Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required, Masters degree in political science, public policy, public administration, social science, healthcare policy or related field preferred.
• 6-9 years of experience in policy and government relations.
• Strong relationship building and communication skills with the ability to build trust and motivate staff and volunteers to perform at their best to achieve strategic business outputs.
• Ability to think through problems, make inclusive decisions, and lead others through complex situations.
• Must have the ability to present information to individuals at all levels, both inside and outside the Society.
• Communication skills must include excellent writing abilities, the ability to build and grow relationships via in-person outreach as well as through other technologies. Must possess ability to distill complex issues and ideas in an easily understood manner to a wide variety of internal and external audiences, including MS Activists, legislators, etc.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, emotional intelligence, and organizational skills. This position must be able to lead Society staff, volunteers, collaborating agencies, and the community.
• Must have an understanding of political landscape and legislative process in either New York or Massachusetts; understanding in both preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Commitment to the mission, vision, cultural values, and expectations of the National MS Society.
• Applicant will be required to provide transportation to Society business meetings, including to the state capitol(s), occasional coalition meetings, etc.
• Availability to work occasional nights and weekends to support events, committee meetings, etc.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Society database systems.
• Responsible for understanding department budget and ensuring accrued expenses do not exceed budget allocations. Submit expenses through WorkDay.

Compensation & Benefits Info:

Estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $82,000 - $100,000 based on our average compensation schedule. Final offers will be based on candidate geographic location and consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

Career Framework

The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society’s positions and work.

This position is in the Management career band and a level of 2 (M2).

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume, and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

Important: Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page .