Associate Director, Public Policy and Advocacy

About NBTS:

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes and unites our community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and their care partners. NBTS is a leading policy advocacy and research organization as well as a convener of brain tumor research leaders including industry, regulators, funders, clinician researchers and patient advocates. We also provide resources and personalized support to patients and families, and we bring all members of the brain tumor community together each year through our walks, races, community events and Gray Nation Endurance programs. Through collaborative leadership with partners, our results include paradigm shifting research discoveries, improved public policy related to brain tumor research and health care increased federal funding for brain tumor research, innovative new clinical trials, opportunities for entrepreneurship and venture philanthropy to benefit brain tumor research, and empowering collaborative advocacy that results in reforms and advances to health care and the development of treatments.

While we have seen significant progress in terms of scientific understanding of brain tumor biology, we are unsatisfied with the status quo of today’s treatment options. NBTS is committed to investment in new ideas and research poised to incent the development and realization of treatments that dramatically increase survival and quality of life for patients.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Public Policy and Advocacy implements the National Brain Tumor Society’s (NBTS) Government Relations Program to achieve strategic goals across our mission delivery programs. The Associate Director of Public Policy and Advocacy will support the development and implementation of a proactive, well-communicated, comprehensive federal regulatory and legislative policy agenda. They are responsible for engaging with internal and external stakeholders to advance and support NBTS’s Change Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Summarize and analyze legislative and regulatory policy proposals affecting patients with brain tumors.
• Represent NBTS in coalitions and alliances to amplify the impact of NBTS’s mission and policy agenda
• In collaboration with the Manager of Government Relations and Grassroots Engagement, support the planning and implementation of select NBTS signature advocacy events in support of the NBTS legislative agenda
• Implement strategic communications around policy agenda and government relations activities
• Write select communications to policymakers, including letters and comments on key legislation; send action alerts to advocates
• Work with VP to manage external consultants, lobbying firms and other partners
• Research and develop supporting materials and documentation for policy positions
• Produce policy-related reports with VP
• Collaborate as appropriate to integrate advocacy into regional signature and community events
• Occasionally support the VP and Counsel, Government Relations in Congressional meetings and represent NBTS at external conferences and meetings to advocate for NBTS policy agenda
• Maintain appropriate records within Phone to Action, Salesforce and other NBTS tools

Education and Experience:

• Master’s in Public Health, Master’s in Public Policy, or equivalent education strongly preferred.
• 2-4 years of related professional experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of policy, regulation, and legislation required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting public policy research and organizing volunteer advocacy events strongly preferred.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including teamwork /collaboration, flexibility, and empathy skills
• Strong and demonstrated writing, research and analytical skills pertaining to public policy and advocacy activities
• Experience and immediate ability to conduct policy research
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to juggle multiple competing priorities and timelines
• Proven experience in government relations
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and effectively manage challenges to ensure that program initiatives are delivered successfully
• Demonstrated capacity for project development, management and problem solving
• Sound judgment, situational awareness, and ability to carry out work in a culturally competent manner in a variety of settings
• Proactive and able to work independently
• Able to work cross-functionally with teams across the organization
• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and in person
• Confidentiality, discretion, and sensitivity when handling confidential matters
• Comfortable presenting and facilitating in person, via teleconference or webinar
• Commitment to improving the lives of people with brain tumors

Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Location: Remote/Telework.
  • Offsite/remote work to be performed virtually in a home office environment, within the employee’s state of residence at time of hire.
  • This role requires a primary work location in the Eastern time zone of the United States, with a preference for candidates located in the Washington, DC or greater DMV area.
• Hours: Normal hours for this role are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
  • Occasional attendance at NBTS events or meetings may be required on the weekend or outside of normal hours.
• Travel: Travel to headquarters and/or meeting locations throughout the US by car and/or plane may be required approximately 5-10% of the time.
• This role is largely sedentary and requires sitting or standing in a stationary position for extended periods of time. This role frequently involves communicating on the phone and operating a computer for the majority of the work day.

NBTS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.