Director of Public Policy

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Michigan Public Policy (1) serves as the principal staff for Michigan government affairs and chief lobbyist in Michigan, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before Michigan’s legislature, governor, relevant Michigan agencies, community stakeholders and coalitions, and on Michigan-wide task forces and work groups; and (2) is responsible for grassroots engagement and volunteer recruitment in support of the Association’s Michigan and federal public policy priorities. This position is responsible for implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated Michigan policy priorities including issues related to Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce and serves as a registered lobbyist with the Michigan. The Director of Public Policy reports to the Chapter Executive and represents the Alzheimer’s Association's Michigan chapter.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and execute a multi-year Michigan legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's Michigan policy priorities, in collaboration with the Chapter Executive and the National Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C.
• Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
• Testify regularly before Michigan legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
• Ensure the Association is represented on relevant Michigan-wide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
• Track Michigan legislation utilizing the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
• Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
• Develop and/or grow relationships with Michigan legislators and other relevant Michigan government officials and community stakeholders.
• Plan and execute the Association’s annual Michigan Advocacy Day event at the Michigan capitol.
• Identify and implement opportunities for grassroots engagement on Michigan issues and assist as needed in the execution of Michigan-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
• Recruit, train, and facilitate efforts of advocates, including Alzheimer’s Association Ambassadors and their team members for members of Congress and Michigan-level Association Champions for Michigan legislators.
• Manage year-round Michigan policy grassroots advocacy activities, including office visits and correspondence, including electronic correspondence.
• Mobilize advocates on federal issues in coordination with the D.C. Public Policy Office, including ensuring timely and effective response to policy developments by advocates.
• Work with advocates to promote the Association’s federal and Michigan policy priorities in earned and social media.
• Ensure volunteer advocates are reporting activities and contacts with federal and Michigan officials.
• In consultation with the Chapter Executive provide regular updates to Association staff in the Michigan, the chapter board, volunteer advocates and to staff in the Association’s National Public Policy Office.
• Collaborate with Association staff across the chapter regularly including Communications, Programs, Health Systems and the Executive Director to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 to 7 years experience working in Michigan government affairs setting; as a Michigan legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant Michigan agency, preferably in Michigan.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Has current contacts within the Michigan legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in Michigan.
• Political or issue advocacy campaign experience desired.
• Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Michigan.
• Experience in volunteer management/community organizing.
• Familiar with Medicaid, senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues.
• Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
• Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
• Ability/willingness to travel across the Michigan, including some evenings and weekends. (up to 15%)
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance. Travel is required.
• Attend the Association's annual Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C.

Job Title:                                 Director of Michigan Public Policy

Reports To:                             Chapter Executive

Location:                                 Okemos, MI

Grade:                                    209

Who We Are:

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia- by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,900 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may develop the disease in the future. Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to explore who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work for the last twelve years in a row. 

At the Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity - meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, long term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. 

Full time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.