National Sr Lead, Advocacy Advisor

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

 

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Lead Advocacy Advisor, Field Advocacy on our National Field Advocacy team.

 

The American Heart Association’s field advocacy team works across all 50 states and in communities to advance public health policies that support our mission. The Senior Lead Advocacy Advisor, Field Advocacy, plays a key leadership role in strengthening the consistency, effectiveness, and strategic impact of the Association’s field public policy advocacy. This position leads initiatives that span advocacy focus areas, supports the coordination and use of best-in-class practices, and plays a central role in advancing both state and community-level advocacy.

 

In addition to leading priority efforts and strategies that improve how we work, the role includes management responsibilities and provides strategic direction to help ensure that community-focused advocacy is well integrated into the Association’s broader field approach.

 

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

 

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives that elevate field advocacy strategy, improve planning and execution, and promote the consistent use of effective advocacy practices nationwide.
• Contribute to the strategic evolution of the Association’s community advocacy work and ensure alignment with state and national priorities.
• Identify common needs and gaps in resources or supports across field advocacy and help ensure best practices, tools, and processes are developed, refined, and effectively used.
• Coordinate with internal teams and advisors to ensure strategic planning, campaign implementation, and engagement approaches are aligned and consistently applied.
• Provide guidance on how to integrate advocacy tactics—such as grassroots engagement, legislative review, and coalition-building—strategically into campaign planning and field strategies.
• Promote knowledge-sharing across regions and support continuous improvement through collaboration and the scaling of effective strategies.
• Provide strategic input and help coordinate advocacy efforts involving deployable support models and multi-region grant-funded projects.
• Fulfill supervisory responsibilities for assigned staff as part of a broader leadership role on the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 3 year minimum of relevant experience (8–12 years of experience preferred)
• Demonstrated success in legislative and regulatory advocacy
• Experience managing issue advocacy and building public or volunteer coalitions
• Experience with staff, remote teams, or volunteer oversight
• Strong policy analysis and technical legislative/regulatory review skills
• Demonstrated understanding and use of technology and information systems in advocacy work
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects under tight timelines
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel at least 25%, including overnight stays

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of voluntary health organizations or nonprofit organizations
• Experience in public health and/or health care policy
• Understand how to apply data and evaluation to improve campaign planning and effectiveness
• Experience contributing to or coordinating grant-funded or deployable advocacy projects

Compensation & Benefits

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package.  Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

 

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary.  That’s why we regularly review