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 assigned geography. This includes developing, attracting volunteers, maintaining, and implementing a volunteer leadership program, developing and implementing grassroots strategies and campaign plans for local, state, and federal legislative priorities, and facilitating the achievement of ACS CAN fundraising goals through primarily supporting volunteers in their fundraising. Support larger geography through assigned responsibilities for aspects of grassroots strategizing and organizing. Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of the role, particularly through volunteer attraction, development, and engagement. Model the organization's values and cultural beliefs. Comply with all relevant lobbying protocols for each state and execute all assigned administrative duties.

***This position will be working out in the communities across the state of Iowa. When not in the field, the position can be home based anywhere within the state of Iowa.***

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Grassroots Strategy, Volunteer Attraction and Engagement, and Organizing:

• Develop and implement comprehensive local and state grassroots strategies and advocacy campaigns, demonstrating volunteer constituent support for cancer-related policy initiatives.

• Use fundamental principles of Direct-Action Organizing.

• Support federal campaigns and congressional champion building for the organization's issues, working collaboratively to execute strategy.

• Organize volunteers to complete federal activities in collaboration with national team.

• Write and disseminate e-mails to volunteers, legislative alerts, issue talking points, and training curriculum for a diverse audience of volunteers.

• Communicate strategically using messages that are tailored to the specific political environments and attuned to the rapid pace of legislative activities.

• Plan and manage lobby days or similar events, including virtual, to drive engagement and policy wins.

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

• Identify and develop volunteers with personal stories related to ACS CAN's policy campaigns.

• Serve 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.

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

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

• Establish and maintain strategic collaborations and partnerships with other organizations, as appropriate.

• Execute other duties as assigned.

Integration and Capacity Building:

• Attract, train, and develop volunteers, through a variety of internal and external channels, implementing recognition programs for volunteers.

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

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

• Strategize for, plan, and implement year-round grassroots activities which build ACS CAN support.

• Conduct trainings as needed for volunteers and ACS staff, equipping others for interactions with elected officials and their staffs.

• Consistently input and maintain ACS CAN volunteer information in the organization's databases, such as Luminate and Salesforce.

Fundraising:

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

• Encourage 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.

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

• Help facilitate policy forums or other fundraising events, as applicable.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

• Approach the building of a grassroots organization in the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, where every individual is valued and respected.

• Develop and execute a state diversity and inclusion plan that enhances the reach and overall grassroots strength of the organization.

• Find and utilize diverse patient and other stakeholder stories that help drive policies to address disparities and other health equity concerns.

Legal:

• Ensure that in leading electoral 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.

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of relevant work experience

• Political issue or campaign organizing experience strongly preferred.

• Experience attracting, developing, and engaging volunteers preferred.

• Fundraising experience a plus.

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

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

OTHER SKILLS

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

• Highly organized orientation and time management skills 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.

The starting rate is $60,000 to $67,000 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.