Senior Manager, Advocacy; NMSS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a national non-profit that exists because there are people with MS. Our vision is a world free of MS. Everything we do is focused so that people affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever.

We are more than an organization. We are a movement. United in our collective power to do something about MS now and end this disease forever. At the National MS Society you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those living with MS and their families.

As a member of the Society team, you ll work in an environment that values collaboration, innovation, diverse perspectives, and most of all a relentless resolve so people with MS can live their best lives.

This role includes outreach and engagement, federal, state and local advocacy efforts, and analyzing and responding to policy issues. This position is expected to develop foundational relationships with key stakeholders such as District Activist Leaders, Government Relations Advisory Committee members, coalition partners and legislatures to support key initiatives and strategies to advance policy priorities for effective impact. This position cultivates and promotes appropriate advocacy communications which are targeted to various audiences including public officials, partner organizations, activists, and the general community.

This role requires the ability to understand complex legislative issues, articulate positions, and develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, internally and externally. This includes relationships with legislative and regulatory officials throughout assigned states.

This position is responsible for overseeing the advocacy work in two states, representing both Illinois and Missouri. This position will also support and provide guidance to advocacy peers.

Advocacy & Policy Responsibilities

• Provide strategy and insight to lead the operationalization of the Society s strategic plan; effectively promote and implement plan vision and tactics to ensure goals and objectives are met
• Design legislative strategies for Illinois and Missouri based on knowledge and monitoring of state and local priorities
• Create and execute on opportunities to advance policies that impact the lives of people living with MS; identify, share, and implement effective strategies
• Responsible for monitoring and tracking policy interests across assigned states; elevate issues to priority status as deemed necessary
• Identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with key decision makers that produce legislative champions on behalf of the Society
• Communicate the Society s priorities to all necessary audiences; offer recommendations and suggestions for messages to ensure the they are on-point, unified, and reflect applicable research and engaging stories to enhance impact
• Participate in (and, if applicable, lead) coalitions that support policy agenda; keep activists informed of relevant local, state, and national legislation and public policies
• Create work plans and ensure contract obligations when engaging with contract lobbyist

Activist Engagement Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and active participation in community coalitions to broaden support; identify, recruit and engage activists to promote the goals and objectives of the strategic plan
• Manage a relationship portfolio of 60 + relationships that advises state advocacy strategy, advances legislation and influences policymakers to act on the Society s behalf
• Understand and implement best practices for grassroots communication
• Leverage Society communications, programs and events to promote advocacy engagement opportunities
• Recruit MS Activists to increase the Society s activism capacity: demographically, political relationships and/or by issue expertise
• Actively engage MS Activists in appropriate activism role(s) (e.g. grassroots, Government Relations Advisory Committee, District Activist Leader, etc.)
• Provide leadership and direction to the Government Relations Advisory Committee to meet the goals of the committee charter
• Provide policy updates to…