Associate State Director

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group​ includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels.  It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

The Associate State Director, Advocacy & Outreach, develops and executes state, federal, and local advocacy activities. Leads state-level advocacy activities and represents the organization and its interests to elected officials, local and state government agencies, and partner organizations. Leads state-level implementation of national campaign efforts. Recruits, develops, and manages volunteer teams to advance advocacy community outreach campaign goals and objectives. Establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages internal and external resources to achieve the organization’s community engagement goals at the state and local levels. Integrates advocacy and community engagement work with internal and external teams and partners. Develops and executes advocacy and community engagement campaigns that include grassroots mobilization and leadership. Collaborates with management to identify opportunities to streamline processes and to develop new procedures that support the business unit/department.

• Identifies issues of public policy and organizational importance, and develops and implements advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels, collaborating with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization’s legislative goals.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners on advocacy campaign communication strategy development. Utilizes direct action organizing tactics and implements grassroots advocacy tools to build constituent support for the organization’s legislative priorities.
• Works with staff, volunteers, members, and other cross-organization teams to achieve the organization’s community engagement goals at the state and local levels. Establishes a presence for the organization in targeted communities by engaging multicultural audiences, developing community partnerships, building volunteer capacity, and designing and executing engaging community programs and events.
• Represents the organization and its interests to federal, state, local government agencies and media outlets. Builds and maintains relationships with governmental representatives, with the goal of advancing and promoting the organization's goals. Develops and manages relationships with elected officials at all levels.
• Establishes strategic community partnerships and leverages internal/external resources to raise the visibility of the organization within communities.
• Develops and communicates persuasive narratives aligned with the organization’s priorities to diverse audiences. Confidently represents the organization in public facing settings to the media, the public, and members.
• Serves as a subject-matter-expert on the state office’s advocacy issues, utilizing data and input from diverse stakeholders. Produces written reports and/or convenes public meetings to disseminate findings, share best practices, and advance solutions through relevant communication channels.
• Recruits, trains, develops, and deploys volunteers in accordance with organizational goals. Aligns volunteers’ interests with organizational priorities. Supports volunteer needs and designs opportunities to maximize volunteer engagement. Ensures inclusion of volunteer perspectives in strategic planning.

• BA degree plus a minimum of 5 years of experience related to the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated understanding of the state’s political and community service environment (e.g., community service leaders, partners, organizations, critical state-wide community service needs, legislative leaders, government officials, major stakeholders, etc.).
• Previous government relations and grassroots organizing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience recruiting, managing, and recognizing volunteers is required.
• The ability to travel locally is required for up to 50% of work.
• Independent judgment and discretion requiring the employee to compare and evaluate various courses of conduct and make a decision (or recommend a decision to be made) after various possibilities have been considered.
• Prefer a San Jose resident and/ or experience working in local or state government.

Additional Requirements 

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including 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 and tuition reimbursement.

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.