Communication Access Technology Manager

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization representing people with hearing loss. HLAA opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, support, and advocacy. With more than 50 million Americans living with hearing loss and these numbers growing rapidly, we work nationally and in local communities to promote hearing health and provide vital assistance and resources to help people with hearing loss and their families to live better lives. The Technology Manager position will support and strengthen HLAA’s national credibility in communication access technology by: Elevating lived experience within technical ecosystems Bridging standards, policy, and consumer realities Supporting informed technology adoption Maintaining vendor-neutral trust across industry, professional, and consumer communities The Technology Manager has strategic leadership responsibility for HLAA’s technology portfolio and collaborates closely with the Director of Communications and Marketing and other department directors. The role advances HLAA’s influence through expertise, relationship-building, and cross-functional alignment. The manager sets strategic direction and content priorities with leadership. Cross-department initiatives are collaborative, with shared execution. Position Summary The Communication Access Technology Manager provides strategic leadership for HLAA’s work at the intersection of communication access technology, standards development, public policy, industry engagement, and consumer education. The manager advances the integration of real-world user experience into technology standards, industry practices, and policy discussions, while guiding the development of practical, accessible, and vendor-neutral technology information and education for people with hearing loss. The manager represents HLAA nationally in professional, industry, federal, and standards settings and serves as the organization’s senior subject matter expert on communication access technologies. Key Responsibilities 1. Organizational Strategy, Coordination, and Representation Lead the development of HLAA’s technology strategy and guide its implementation in alignment with organizational priorities. Develop and recommend annual priorities and multi-year objectives for technology and technology education initiatives. Facilitate the coordination of technology-related efforts across departments, including Public Policy, Development, Communications, and Chapter Engagement Advise the executive director and other department directors on emerging technology developments and their strategic implications. Represent HLAA externally in national forums, professional meetings, and industry convenings related to communication access technologies. 2. Technology Standards, Policy & Advocacy Participate in and contribute to relevant technical standards bodies affecting communication access technologies. Advocate for and elevate real-world user experience and accessibility considerations within standards development and policy discussions. Provide subject matter expertise to support regulatory comments, legislative proposals, policy analysis, and strategic advocacy efforts. Maintain working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the accessibility provisions of the Communications Act, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other legal and regulatory frameworks affecting communication access. Monitor emerging technology trends and assess their implications for people with hearing loss. 3. Industry, Professional, and Partner Engagement Serve as HLAA’s primary liaison to industry, hearing health care professionals, and other technology-related partners. Promote vendor-neutral, standards-driven approaches to accessibility and user-centered design. Build collaborative relationships that advance unbiased information and best practices in technology adoption to support and strengthen real-world use of communication access technologies. Provide strategic leadership for the Industry-Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology (ICAAT) program, including identifying opportunities to strengthen its impact, reach, and sustainability. 4. Consumer Technology Education and Training Establish and oversee HLAA’s framework for technology education and consumer guidance. Guide the development and curation of practical, consumer-facing materials (e.g., fact sheets, checklists, guides) across key communication access and technology topic areas. Contribute expert content for HLAA’s website, publications, and digital communications in collaboration with the Communications team. Lead or moderate technology-focused webinars, convention sessions, and other educational programming. Build an approach to hands-on learning about technology for Chapters that leverages train-the-trainer and peer mentoring models, in cooperation with the Chapter Engagement Manager and in consultation with the Network of Consumer Hearing Assistive Technology Trainer(N-CHATT) program alumni. 5. Internal Organizational Responsibilities Serve as an internal resource to HLAA staff on communication access technologies and related technical issues. Support grant development and reporting by contributing technical expertise and program design input. Advise leadership on budget considerations and resource implications related to technology and training initiatives. Define success indicators for technology initiatives and contribute to assessing program impact and outcomes. Provide regular updates and presentations as requested. Participate in the annual HLAA Convention and related organizational events. Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in audiology, public health, public policy, communications, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in hearing technology, communication access, accessibility, hearing health care, advocacy, public policy, consumer education, or related fields. Qualifications Knowledge of hearing loss and the impact of communication access barriers. Understanding of hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, captioning, speech-to-text apps, and related technologies. Familiarity with social media and modern communication strategies. Ability to serve as a subject matter expert for staff, grassroots advocates, and external stakeholders. Understanding of federal disability law, including the ADA and accessibility provisions of the Communications Act. Experience engaging with industry, professional organizations, government agencies, standards bodies, or advocacy organizations. Strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Experience in nonprofit environments. Ability to produce high-quality materials under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects. Comfortable as a self-starter and team collaborator. Technical Skills Microsoft 365, all tools Digital media and Constituent Relationship Management tools Research skillsWorking knowledge of social media Experience with hearing assistive technology Work Environment Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Travel to the HLAA annual convention is required. Travel to other meetings may be required. Location McLean, Virginia, hybrid Type Full-time Reports to: Director of Communications and Marketing HLAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HLAA is committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse staff; individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. HLAA does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parenthood, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. HLAA values diversity of background and opinion and promotes a professional environment that is accessible and inclusive. HLAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parenthood, or any other category protected by law. Status and Benefits Terms of Employment: At Will Employment Status: Full-Time/Exempt Benefits:Comprehensive package includes employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, TIAA 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, PTO and flexible work schedule. Annual salary range: $70,000-$90,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr Hearing Loss Association of America