Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator

Summary

The Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator supports the day-to-day logistics and operations of the Academy’s state and federal grassroots advocacy initiatives. This role plays a critical part in advancing the Academy’s public policy and legislative advocacy efforts by fostering member engagement and expanding grassroots participation. This position works closely with the Senior Manager of State Advocacy and the Senior Manager of Congressional and Political Affairs to enhance the organization’s influence on key legislative issues affecting the field of otolaryngology at both the state and federal level. A key focus of this role is supporting and strengthening the Academy’s State Trackers program and Project 535. This role will support recruitment, engagement, and communication with our physician advocates to advance the objectives of these programs. Additionally, this position will contribute to the development of legislative advocacy strategies, manage digital engagement tools, and support the coordination of advocacy-related events to further the Academy’s mission and policy objectives.

The Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator reports to the Senior Manager, State Advocacy.

This is a hybrid role, in-person in Alexandria, VA, three days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

Key Responsibilities

• Support the growth, engagement, and strategic utilization of AAO-HNS grassroots key contact programs, including State Trackers and Project 535.
• Use and optimize digital advocacy tools and platforms to enhance member engagement and participation in advocacy initiatives. Support the integration of digital strategies to strengthen outreach efforts and maximize impact.
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of legislative advocacy communications to Academy members, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Support the Academy’s federal and state legislative advocacy campaigns by crafting compelling messaging and outreach efforts.
• Assist in the creation and refinement of legislative advocacy materials, including action alerts, talking points, and grassroots communications.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on advocacy metrics and participation rates, providing insights and recommendations to improve campaign effectiveness and member involvement.
• Support the planning and execution of advocacy-related events, including legislative fly-ins, Capitol Hill visits, and other member engagement initiatives. Ensure seamless coordination of logistics and participant experiences.
• Develop, curate, and manage legislative advocacy-related content for Academy newsletters, websites, and social media platforms, ensuring accurate, engaging, and up-to-date communication that advances the Academy’s policy objectives.
• Maintain and cultivate grassroots contact lists to ensure communications are reaching advocates.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (political science, public policy, communications, or related field preferred). Experience in a not-for-profit, physician-based environment and/or committee support is a plus. (Experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• 1-3 years of experience in advocacy, grassroots mobilization, communications or related areas.
• Experience using digital advocacy tools, particularly Quorum, and CRM platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible messaging.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
• Experience in a healthcare or medical association setting is preferred, but not required.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid role, in-office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and remote on Thursday and Friday.

Benefits

We are proud to offer an excellent benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 9% contribution from the organization to your 403b plan after your first year of service

• 5 weeks of paid time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave

• Parking/public transportation allowance

• Organization-paid life, long- and short-term disability insurance

• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• Pre-paid legal services

• Pet insurance

• Workplace flexibility, including a hybrid work environment

• Professional development opportunities and tuition/certification reimbursement

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.