Advocacy Director - Legislative & Stakeholder Engagement

Job Summary

The Advocacy Director will serve as the primary representative on behalf of Emmaus and its employees and clients with the goal of generating awareness and the support of the state legislature and relevant state agencies. In addition, the Advocacy Director will work with Emmaus clients, family members, employees, board members, donors, volunteers, coalitions, and partner organizations to build understanding and support advocacy work aimed at strengthening legislation and improving funding for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). A successful Advocacy Director will have a passion for engaging key stakeholders including policymakers, and constituents to ensure issues facing those with IDD are known and understood. This individual will possess a strong equity lens that centers the work in a mission-driven environment to foster more engagement and inclusive local, state, and national policies.

Emmaus Core Values

Core Values: Customer Centered, Integrity, Initiative, and Collaboration.

All employees are expected to advocate for the best interest of Emmaus clients and demonstrate Emmaus’ Core Values in all aspects of their job.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate advocacy messaging into relevant programs and events.
• Work with development team members on data collection, database maintenance, and hosting special events.
• Collaborate with the development team to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging, branding, and marketing initiatives.
• Develop and advance local, state, and federal policy agendas and community initiatives.
• Collaborate with executive and senior leadership to progress strategic plans to advance legislation that improves the lives of Emmaus clients and to fight and stop legislation that would impose hardships to the industry.
• Shape the organization’s grassroots and direct lobbying work and inform advocates throughout the organization.
• Create advocacy toolkits, facilitate learning webinars, and develop templates to help advocates communicate complex issues to elected officials.
• Partner with the state and national associations to complement lobbying activity by mobilizing the advocates to facilitate and leverage their relationships with elected officials.
• Generate and disseminate timely and relevant advocacy action alerts.
• Develop strong relationships and build expanding networks with local, state, and national advocates to develop a fully engaged and organized community voice.
• Ensure Emmaus’ interests are represented wherever important decisions impacting funding, care, safety, and community integration of those with IDD are being considered.
• Educate employees, volunteers, community members, board members, guardians, and legislators on the priorities, issues, and needs of the IDD community and agencies that serve them.
• Build and monitor plans for meeting strategic targets related to advocacy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Standard - Demands of the Job

• Able to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to a laptop, cell phone, fax machine, printer, and copier.
• Able to learn new software applications and programs related to job functions.
• Travel up to 25% locally and 10% overnight/nationally for meetings and other work-related activities.
• Able to work a hybrid schedule, with the worksite split between remote and office-based duties.
• Operated standard office equipment including but not limited to a laptop, cell phone, fax machine, printer, and copier.
• Drive an average vehicle independently, including an accessible van as required by job location.
• Assist individuals during crisis or emergency situations.
• Perform detailed data collection, recording and reporting in handwriting and typing.
• Complete required annual training, including observing all DSP training.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions.

Job Requirements/Desired Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Established and demonstrable success in legislative advocacy efforts required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and communication platforms required.
• 3 years demonstrable experience in communications required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• 3 years grassroots legislative advocacy work experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid preferred.
• Ability to travel, including overnight travel required.
• Ability to work weekends when applicable is required.