Advocacy Program Manager

Education: 4-Year Degree RequiredExperience Level: Mid-levelSalary: USD $80,000/yearJOB TITLE: Advocacy Program ManagerABOUT ALLERGY & ASTHMA NETWORK:The Allergy & Asthma Network is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of over 100 million individuals impacted by allergies, asthma, and related conditions. For over 40 years, Allergy & Asthma Network has amplified the patient's voice through cultivating community-facing outreach, leading patient-centered research and educational efforts, and empowering advocates to drive meaningful policy change. The Allergy & Asthma Network is headquartered in Fairfax, VA; however, we are a remote (virtual) organization.JOB SUMMARY:The Advocacy Program Manager is a driven, thoughtful, and engaged professional responsible for building, managing, and leading the Allergy & Asthma Network’s volunteer advocacy initiatives and supporting our broader policy agenda. Serving as the primary project manager for the PALI (Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative) program and advocacy events, this full-time role focuses on the end-to-end operational execution, further development, and implementation of an online training, mentorship, and engagement program for highly engaged advocates. Additionally, this role will support the transition of our social advocate summit to a comprehensive PALI (Patient Advocacy Leadership Initiative) Advocate Summit, uniting patient advocates and early career allergists. Reporting to the Head of Policy & Advocacy, this position is ideal for a collaborative, tech-savvy volunteer manager interested in cultivating a deeply loyal advocate community and representing the patient's voice in the healthcare space.RESPONSIBILITIESPALI Program & Advocate Cohort & Volunteer Management:Cohort Program Development: Serve as project manager for the PALI program, designing, implementing, and managing a new, exclusive cohort-based advocate training program. Establish clear criteria for applying, the selection process, and the required commitment for participation.Training & Mentorship: Serve as project manager for the live, online intensive training sessions for the selected advocate cohort. Create and offer ongoing mentorship opportunities to support and empower patient advocates.Volunteer Management: Recruit, retain, support, and mobilize a dedicated base of highly engaged and loyal volunteers to support state and federal advocacy campaigns.Advocacy Events & Summit Leadership: PALI Advocate Summit: Lead project management efforts to support the transition of the social advocate summit to the PALI Advocate Summit, curating programming and networking opportunities specifically for patient advocates and early career allergists.Hill Days: Organize, lead, and project manage annual Hill Day events and related advocacy gatherings, ensuring advocates are fully prepared, scheduled, and supported.Policy Development & Advocacy Strategy:Digital Advocacy: Serve as the resident tech-savvy expert on advocacy technology platforms (specifically Quorum) to track legislation, mobilize advocates, and grow our grassroots network. Reports and Dashboards: Use Quorum and other resources to prepare ongoing reports as needed.Policy Support: Conduct research on existing and emerging policies relevant to asthma and allergies. Draft policy content, position statements, and memos to support advocacy and program initiatives.Legislative Monitoring: Track legislative and regulatory developments at local, state, and national levels, providing timely analysis and reports.Stakeholder Engagement & Internal Communication:Coalition Building: Represent AAN in task forces and working groups, building relationships with key legislators and regulators.Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Regularly brief the Head of Policy & Advocacy, CEO, and senior management on cohort progress and advocacy developments. Partner with program and communications teams to align initiatives.REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & ABILITIESEducation: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Health, or a related field strongly preferred.Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in volunteer/program management, and grassroots organizing or state/federal advocacy. Experience building and managing cohort-based programs is highly desirable.Communication: Excellent writer with the ability to write quickly, concisely, persuasively, and effectively in various formats. Strong oral and interpersonal skills with both internal and external audiences, demonstrating the ability to listen effectively, mentor advocates, and respond with professionalism.Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills, with experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple initiatives simultaneously – to finish projects on time and to high standards of quality. Familiarity with or willingness to learn project management software to manage projects (ClickUp).Remote Collaboration: Work independently on multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and establish priorities within a remote working environment. Work successfully in a team-oriented environment with a strong emphasis on relationships.Work Style: Demonstrated ability to initiate tasks, take direction, and build trust with colleagues and stakeholders - working with integrity, high attention to detail, and accountability. Technical Savvy: High proficiency in legislative tracking and advocacy mobilization platforms (e.g., Quorum) and CRM databases (preferably Salesforce). Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Lived Experience: Lived experience with food allergies or asthma is not required but is preferred.WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORTNo or minimal physical effort is required.No or minimal exposure to physical risk.Work is typically performed in an interior/office work environment.Remote position, however, must be based in the DC Metro Area to attend community and legislative events as needed. Some long-distance travel to represent Allergy & Asthma Network in the community, at legislative events, or staff retreats.