AARP- State Director
Job Title: State Director
Job ID: 12461437
Job Function: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Job Category: Advocacy/Government Affairs
Location: TN-Nashville
Business Unit: States & Community Engagement
City: Nashville
Business Unit Description
State & Community Engagement (SCE) enables AARP to be a nationwide organization, which strengthens our capacity to carry out our mission. The SCE team includes 53 states and territories across 6 regions with regional management, the Office of Volunteer Engagement, the Office of Community Engagement (including the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA): AARP’s Educator Community), and the Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE).
Summary
The AARP State Director is a trusted voice for people 50-plus with the media and the public; is responsible for making AARP a driving force and tireless advocate for those 50-plus and their families to help them live their best lives, and ensures that AARP is the “go-to resource” and leader across the state on issues important to the 50-plus population.
The State Director is responsible for building and leading a cohesive, integrated and highly functioning enterprise that focuses on increasing engagement, impact and relevance for the state’s growing population of people 50-plus including the 50-plus multicultural population by providing strong and effective leadership.
Responsibilities
-Articulates the overall strategic vision and sets organizational context for volunteer Executive Council members and State Office staff to develop a comprehensive state plan
-Sets the vision for effective non-partisan advocacy strategies for priority state, federal and local issues benefiting the 50-plus population. Cultivates effective decision-maker relationships to enhance non-partisan advocacy efforts. Leverages the voice of AARP members and allies and/or third party validators to enhance non-partisan advocacy efforts for all constituencies in the state.
-Engages and empowers volunteers as partners in strategy, community influence and volunteer advocacy.
-Acts as spokesperson for AARP in the state and is widely considered a go-to thought leader in the state. Creates vision for an effective communications strategy
-Establishes and maintains strategic networks, acting as a convener to address the needs of members and the 50-plus members and stakeholders.
-Influences targeted decision makers in public, social and private sectors to advance the mission of AARP. Influences state legislative and executive branches, and decision makers through public and media domains.
-Exercises authority for how to best execute AARP priorities to deliver relevance and impact in the state. Works with State and Community Engagement leadership to collaborate internally and, ensure that decisions are made with appropriate stakeholders in a timely fashion.
-Responsible for the AARP state plan, the state budget, and the state staffing plan.
Requirements
• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree a plus) in Public Administration, Management, Political Science, Community Organization/Development, Gerontology, or a related discipline and, 10 years of directly related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• A minimum of 4 years of executive management/leadership is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proven track record of communicating effectively with the media.
• Strong understanding of public policy issues facing the state and AARP membership. And, strong understanding of the political environment and other dynamics impacting AARP’s work in the state.
• Experience managing a diverse workforce preferred
• Applicable bilingual skills would be an asset.
• Demonstrates a high level of competence with oral and written communication, computer literacy, social media, strategic thinking, and people management skills.
• Travel required up to 50% of the time.
*Relocation package will be considered for out of the area applicants
Compensation and Benefits
AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others. Visit careers.aarp.org/benefits for more information.
As a result of the COVID pandemic, all interviews will be held virtually and all non-essential employees will continue to work remotely until further notice.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.