Grassroots Manager

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Grassroots Manager plans and executes a comprehensive grassroots advocacy program across an assigned geography. This includes attracting volunteers and developing, maintaining, and implementing a volunteer leadership program. The position is responsible for developing and implementing grassroots strategies and campaign plans for local, state, and federal legislative priorities, and facilitating the achievement of ACS CAN volunteer fundraising goals primarily through supporting volunteers in their fundraising. The position embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of the role, particularly through volunteer attraction, development, and engagement. The position models the organization's values and cultural beliefs and complies with all relevant lobbying protocols for each state and executes all assigned administrative duties.

***This is a remote position that can be home based anywhere in the states of Connecticut or Rhode Island. This role will have regular travel in both states to support volunteers and events. There will also be travel across the country periodically throughout the year.***

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Grassroots Strategy, Volunteer Attraction and Engagement, and Organizing: (50%) 

• Develops and implements comprehensive local and state grassroots strategies and advocacy campaigns, demonstrating volunteer constituent support for cancer-related policy initiatives in conjunction with the state Government Relations Director. 

• Supports federal campaigns and congressional champion building for the organization's issues, working collaboratively to execute a grassroots strategy. Organizes volunteers to complete federal activities in collaboration with national teams. 

• Communicates strategically using messages that are tailored to specific political environments and attuned to the rapid pace of legislative activities in assigned state(s). Writes and disseminates e-mails to volunteers, legislative alerts, issue talking points, and training curriculum for a diverse audience of volunteers. 

• Plans and manages Cancer Action lobby days or similar events, including virtual, to drive engagement and policy wins. 

• Maintains ACS CAN web pages, Facebook pages, and/or other social media accounts according to organizational guidelines and standards, coordinating where applicable. 

• Identifies and develops volunteers with personal stories related to ACS CAN's policy campaigns, engaging in story collection where applicable. 

• Serves as the staff manager of the volunteer structure in the assigned geography coordinating appropriately with leadership volunteers. Accountable to filling any vacancies in the structure and ensuring sufficient capacity throughout the geography. 

• Implement the fundamental principles of Direct-Action Organizing to organize and manage state legislative campaigns. 

• Coordinates campaign activities with grassroots/patient coalition partners, as well as with regional and national ACS CAN teams. 

• Accurately and effectively represents ACS CAN and its mission and in a manner commensurate with the organization's brand. 

• Establishes and maintains strategic collaborations and partnerships with other organizations, as appropriate. 

• Ensures that in leading electoral activity in the assigned state(s) through Cancer Votes, working closely with staff partners and national staff, the program adheres to all IRS and ACS CAN legal and reporting requirements. 

• Follow all ACS CAN policies and guidelines. 

Integration and Capacity Building: (30%) 

• Attracts, trains, and develops volunteers, through a variety of internal and external channels, implementing development, communication, training and recognition programs for volunteers. 

• Strengthens grassroots capacity through the ACS CAN's volunteer structure, maintaining excellent relationships with grasstops and grassroots volunteers. 

• Facilitates local, state, and federal grassroots advocacy by volunteers, including the building and maintaining of relationships with elected officials and members of their staff. Primary responsibility for maintaining direct local relationships, as appropriate, with elected officials and their staff members. 

• Supports cross-functional collaboration with the American Cancer Society regional staff, coalitions, and partners to align and amplify grassroots campaigns. 

• Conducts training as needed for volunteers and ACS staff, equipping others for interactions with elected officials and their staff. 

• Consistently inputs and maintains ACS CAN volunteer information in the organization's databases, such as Salesforce. 

• Works closely with ACS regional staff, coalitions, and partners to align and amplify grassroots campaigns. 

Volunteer Fundraising: (20%) 

• Drives volunteer fundraising in the assigned state(s). 

• Encourages volunteer-led fundraising that comports with the organization's guidelines with the goal of raising money, engaging, and growing our volunteer base through existing volunteer networks, including volunteer-led events and volunteer participation in Lights of Hope or other national programs. 

• Participates in ACS CAN fundraising activities as directed towards achievement of organizational and personal fundraising goals. 

• Supports policy forums or other fundraising events, if applicable. 

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience

• Political issues or campaign organizing experience strongly preferred.

• Experience attracting, developing, and engaging volunteers preferred.

• Fundraising experience is a plus.

• Experience using Salesforce, Every Action, or similar tools is a plus.

• Experience or familiarity with fundamentals of Direct Action Organizing is a plus. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILILITY 

• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, computer, and social media skills are required.

• Highly organized orientation and time management skills are required.

• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and to work independently with minimum direction and work as a member or leader of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external constituents.

• Ability to establish, hold meetings, and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal legislative officials.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and communities.

• Ability to complete work in multiple venues and state political environments in a timely and efficient manner and ensure work is accurate.

• Ability to utilize available technology to perform position responsibilities. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:  

• This position may require travel up to 20%, including overnight and occasional weekend travel.

• Travel will primarily be within assigned state(s) to support legislative campaigns, attend strategic meetings, and engage with stakeholders.

• Occasional travel to national conferences or headquarters may also be required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Ability to travel by car, train, or plane as needed. 

The starting rate is $57000 to $70000 annual. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.