Communications Manager for Advocacy-Washington DC

American Heart Association What's your motivation? Opportunity. Creativity. Contribution. It's all part of working for the American Heart Association---where you can contribute professional growth with personal fulfillment. So if you're considering a rewarding career, consider the American Heart Association. We have an excellent opportunity for a Communications Manager for Advocacy in our Communications and Health Outreach department based in Washington, DC.The Communications Manager for Advocacy will be responsible for supporting and assisting advocacy media programs and communications projects of the Office of Media Advocacy in support of the American Heart Association's national advocacy agenda. The selected candidate will serve as an advocacy contact for national political and policy media outlets and as a liaison contact for congressional press secretaries and press officers of regulatory and Executive-branch agencies. The Communications Manager will represent the National American Heart Association and the Office of Public Advocacy regarding media outreach and public education issues with various Association-supported coalitions and partnership organizations. Additional responsibilities include managing Affiliate media advocacy support for state and local advocacy initiatives.This position will perform the daily operations of the Office of Media Advocacy, including intensive media relations work by cultivating strong relationships with congressional and health policy reporters (national and regional) to promote and raise awareness of the Association's national advocacy agendas. The selected candidate will proactively engage media and congressional press staff in federal advocacy activities especially related to priority issues and provide editorial support in the development, drafting and distribution of formal and informal advocacy communications tools. These tools will be geared to external and/or internal Association audiences, including speechwriting, message development, drafting newsletter articles and preparing press materials. The selected candidate will execute the development and placement of advocacy advertising for Capitol Hill, national and regional publications and provides direct support to Affiliates for specific grass roots media advocacy activities in support of national and legislative goals and regulatory objectives. The Manager will also provide consultative media advocacy support for state and local advocacy initiatives to Affiliates and represents the national Association and the Office of Public Advocacy in numerous health related partnerships and coalitions, dealing specifically with media and public awareness/education issues. ' Minimum of 4 years experience in public relations, corporate communications and/or journalism. ' Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations or a related field required. ' Possess highly effective oral and written communications skills.' Extensive experience in media relations and knowledge of the operations of the general media (both print and electronic), the political and health policy media, as well as trade, professional and scientific media outlets, is essential. ' Experience with health care issues is preferred as well as experience in working with volunteer health organizations and/or related not-for-profit professional groups and grassroots and trade organizations.' Knowledge of governmental operations, both congressional and Executive Branch agencies. ' Successful experience or demonstrated understanding of media relations as it relates to advocacy.' Knowledge of Microsoft software and basic online tools. Web content management experience preferred.Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do. Visit www.americanheart.org/careers EOE M/F/V/D