State Advocacy Coordinator

State Advocacy Coordinator Remote__

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has created a new Department of Public Policy & Advocacy and is seeking a State Advocacy Coordinator (“Coordinator”). The Coordinator is to help lead state-level advocacy campaigns that advance the needs of people impacted by Parkinson’s disease. Reporting to the Chief Public Policy Officer, the Coordinator will support state legislative and regulatory advocacy, build and maintain state-based coalitions, engage grassroots advocates, coordinate with internal and external partners, and help translate policy priorities into actionable strategies across assigned states. This is a full-time, exempt remote positions that requires travel.

The ideal candidate is highly organized and collaborative, and has experience developing state-specific advocacy strategies across multiple jurisdictions in health care access, neurological disease, disability rights, aging policy, Medicaid/Medicare, caregiver support, or patient advocacy. Has proven success planning advocacy days, legislative briefings, volunteer trainings, or coalition meetings; and familiar with advocacy technology, action alert platforms, or legislative tracking tools.

ABOUT APDA

Every day, the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) provides the support, education, and research that will help everyone impacted by Parkinson’s disease (PD) live life to the fullest. APDA is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting PD and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million people living with PD in the United States in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $313 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease.

OUR CORE VALUES

• COMMITMENT: Compassionately provide high quality service and support.
• RESPECT: Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible culture.
• COLLABORATION: Establish meaningful relationships to build strong, supportive communities.
• INTEGRITY: Act ethically with honesty, transparency, and accuracy.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Responsibly steward our actions, outcomes, and resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

State Legislative Advocacy: Monitor state legislative developments affecting the Parkinson’s community; coordinate advocacy strategies; prepare talking points, testimony, letters, one-pagers, and policy briefs; and support engagement with state elected officials, agency staff, and other decision-makers.

Coalition Building: Build and strengthen state-level coalitions with people living with Parkinson’s disease, care partners, clinicians, researchers, community-based organizations, disability and aging advocates, and allied health organizations.

Grassroots Mobilization: Recruit, train, and support advocates to participate in legislative meetings, hearings, action alerts, advocacy days, and other public policy activities.

Project Management: Develop campaign timelines, coordinate responsibilities across stakeholders, track deliverables, maintain issue trackers, and provide timely updates to APDA leadership and partners.

Communications and Materials: Draft advocacy communications, fact sheets, alerts, newsletters, social media content, and other materials that clearly explain complex policy issues to diverse audiences.

Relationship Management: Cultivate productive relationships with policymakers, coalition partners, lobbyists, consultants, volunteers, and internal teams to advance APDA’s advocacy goals.

Compliance and Reporting: Support compliance with applicable lobbying, ethics, and reporting requirements and maintain accurate records of advocacy activities.

Travel and Events: Represent APDA at state advocacy meetings, coalition gatherings, legislative events, conferences, and community programs as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrated understanding of state legislative processes; experience working with legislators, grassroots advocates, and contract lobbyists preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex policy topics into clear, accessible messages.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, partners, and states simultaneously.
• Proven ability to build trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders, including advocates with lived experience.
• Comfort working independently in a remote environment while collaborating closely with a national team.
• Commitment to APDA’s mission and to improving outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their families.
• Ability to travel as needed and work flexible hours to accommodate advocacy and legislative activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-5 years of experience in state policy, government affairs, advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition management, public health, disability policy, aging services, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public health, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a fully remote position; however, travel may be required approximately 20% of the time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Starting Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000. Annual salary based on background and experience.

American Parkinson Disease Association also provides an attractive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, and generous paid time off in addition to standard holidays.

• APDA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
• Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Have we described a role that you have been seeking, along with a set of skills you possess? If so, we’d like to hear from you! Please forward your cover letter, resume and reference contact information to: View email address on click.appcast.io.

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