LOCATION: Preferred Metro Washington, D.C. Area / Hybrid 1- 3 days in the D.C. office
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full Time
With nearly 8,500 physicians, health professionals, researchers, medical students, and scientists worldwide, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is the home of the rheumatology community.
Founded in 1934, ACR is a non-profit, professional membership organization committed to excellence in advancing the study of rheumatology and treatment of rheumatic disease. On the forefront of cutting-edge information with countless opportunities for rheumatology professionals to expand their networks and build strong education foundations for their teams, ACR empowers you to break barriers in patient care.
The Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) is the interprofessional division of the American College of Rheumatology, supporting the needs of this diverse group of interprofessionals working in the medical subspeciality of rheumatology by providing professional training and development, research, advocacy, and practice resources.
Since its founding in 1985, the Rheumatology Research Foundation (the largest private funding source for rheumatology research and training in the U.S.) has invested more than $205 million directly into its two mission priorities: rheumatology training and development and targeted rheumatic disease research. Programs funded by the Foundation train the next generation of rheumatology professionals who are tackling rheumatology’s challenges and working toward discoveries to improve the health of people with rheumatic disease.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Director, Political Affairs and Engagement
LOCATION: Washington, DC
STATUS: Exempt
LEVEL: Director
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Vice President, Practice, Advocacy, and Quality
POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:
The Director, Political Affairs and Engagement is responsible for driving and growing the ACR’s engagement of its diverse membership in advocacy, political, and policy initiatives. They will develop and execute innovative, member-focused strategies for increasing engagement. The individual will oversee and manage RheumPAC, the ACR’s political action committee, and have responsibility for growing RheumPAC’s levels of member participation, as well as its influence and effectiveness on Capitol Hill. They will develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and fundraising strategy for RheumPAC. The individual will serve as one of the lobbyists for the ACR and along with other team members will represent the organization at legislative, political, and other policy meetings. The individual will also oversee development of ACR advocacy and policy events, including the Advocates for Arthritis fly-in conference.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the ACR’s RheumPAC and member engagement work, with a focus on high-level fundraising, strategy, PAC initiatives, and communication; building broader member engagement in RheumPAC, advocacy, and policy work; managing political events and relationships; staffing the RheumPAC committee; and interfacing with policy makers as part of the ACR lobbying team.
Develop and implement innovative, effective strategies for increasing engagement of ACR/ARP members in advocacy and related policy or practice-related activities, including a focus on engagement opportunities tailored to the various types of members, interests, and practice settings that constitute the diverse membership of the ACR.
Oversee relationships with current vendors and research new opportunities to maximize ACR’s impact on public policy affecting members.
Initiate and lead collaborations with other ACR departments in efforts to engage members and illustrate the value of ACR membership. Lead ACR advocacy department’s collaborative efforts with Data/IT teams on needs to more efficiently engage with membership.
Oversee content creation and posting for advocacy-focused social media accounts to better educate members on the important work being done by the ACR.
Serve as committee staff for the ACR RheumPAC Committee. Develop presentations for the chair including presentations to the ACR Board of Directors, oversee communications and solicitations, and develop and execute strategies to expand and improve the political action committee. Responsible for all aspects of PAC Committee meetings, including agenda setting, record keeping and maintaining strong relationships with individual PAC Committee members.
Oversee and ensure RheumPAC’s compliance with all federal laws including submission of required filings and tracking of contributions.
Develop and implement multi-year fundraising, marketing and communications plan, including strategies, tactics, goals/benchmarks, and budget focused on retaining and increasing contributions from current donors and expanding the number of donors to RheumPAC.
Oversee the allocation of PAC resources and evaluate candidates seeking endorsement and financial contributions from RheumPAC. Make recommendations to the RheumPAC Committee for approval. This includes vetting/interviewing candidates, gathering relevant issue research, and seeking input from team members and other stakeholders.
Oversee the effective management and daily operations of RheumPAC including raising funds and managing PAC contributions and receipts, and disbursing funds after approval from the PAC committee. Prepare comprehensive reports and communications to membership and donors. Ensure outstanding customer service for RheumPAC members. Manage relationships with fundraising and compliance vendors.
Plan and attend political events, coalition/stakeholder meetings, and other meetings. Work with staff team members to coordinate attendance at fundraisers. Attend political fundraisers with members of both political parties.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of Washington, DC stakeholders, including Congressional members and staff, stakeholders, and coalition partners.
Lobby Congress on issues that impact members and the rheumatology community, in coordination with the Head of the Washington, DC office and other staff, and in support of the ACR’s policy agenda. Represent the ACR before Members of Congress and speak on its behalf to influence policy decisions.
Maintain registration as a federal lobbyist and ensure compliance with all applicable Congressional ethics and lobbying rules.
Attend hearings, mark-ups, briefings, roundtables, and other congressional activities.
Oversee development of ACR fly-in events, including the Advocates for Arthritis and Advocacy Leadership Conference lobbying events in DC and other lobbying visits, to include marketing, logistics, securing high-level speakers for educational program and special events, and guiding the scheduling of meetings with Congress or health staff as well as preparation of materials.
Oversee and build the ACR’s grassroots and grasstops networks of rheumatology advocates to affect positive outcomes.
Attend the Annual Scientific Meeting and handle duties as directed.
National travel required, approximately 20%
Any other duties as the Vice President, Practice, Advocacy, and Quality; or the ACR Executive Vice President may assign
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study; Master’s degree strongly preferred. 7-10 years of progressive relevant government affairs experience. An advanced degree may be substituted for work experience.
Expert knowledge of political action committee (PAC) management including fundraising and Federal Election Committee (FEC) rules and regulations.
Significant experience with public policy processes including driving constituent engagement with legislation and regulations, lobbying, and overseeing grassroots activities.
Outstanding collaboration and communication skills, including excellent writing skills and the ability to make persuasive presentations.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with volunteers and staff tactfully and effectively.
Ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of individuals and develop an extensive professional network, to include physicians, members of Congress, congressional staff, and other medical association government affairs professionals.
Self-starter with the ability to organize and manage several projects simultaneously and exercise judgment in prioritizing and handling responsibilities
Not-for-profit experience highly desirable
The ACR provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The ACR complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities or conducts business.
This is not a contract. The description and duties as they relate to this position are subject to change as reasonable business necessity dictates. In the event of such changes, a new job description may be created.
With nearly 8,500 physicians, health professionals, researchers, medical students, and scientists worldwide, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is the home of the rheumatology community.
Founded in 1934, ACR is a non-profit, professional membership organization committed to excellence in advancing the study of rheumatology and treatment of rheumatic disease. On the forefront of cutting-edge information with countless opportunities for rheumatology professionals to expand their networks and build strong education foundations for their teams, ACR empowers you to break barriers in patient care.
The Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) is the interprofessional division of the American College of Rheumatology, supporting the needs of this diverse group of interprofessionals working in the medical subspeciality of rheumatology by providing professional training and development, research, advocacy, and practice resources.
Since its founding in 1985, the Rheumatology Research Foundation (the largest private funding source for rheumatology research and training in the U.S.) has invested more than $205 million directly into its two mission priorities: rheumatology trai...ning and development and targeted rheumatic disease research. Programs funded by the Foundation train the next generation of rheumatology professionals who are tackling rheumatology’s challenges and working toward discoveries to improve the health of people with rheumatic disease.
