Job Description

About the Role

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS?CAN) is the nations leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures, and local jurisdictions to support evidence?based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Senior Government Relations Director plays a pivotal role in advancing ACS?CANs mission to improve cancer patient policy outcomes through legislative and regulatory advocacy in California. The position leads and drives strategic engagement with state and local policymakers, supports grassroots mobilization, and coordinates federal advocacy efforts with national teams. The Director serves as an ambassador for the Society and ACS?CAN to the state legislature, governor, state agencies, donors, and coalition partners. The role plans and implements mission?critical issue campaigns in California to achieve progress on policy and appropriations successes, working with grassroots staff to execute the states advocacy program and with contract lobbyists where applicable. The Director also leads and mentors two government relations directors at the local level.

Essential Functions

Legislative Impact (50%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive state advocacy strategy aligned with organizational priorities and in collaboration with the State and Local campaign team.
• Execute comprehensive state and local legislative strategies that align with organizational priorities alongside the State & Local campaign team.
• Monitor, analyze, and respond to proposed legislation and regulations impacting patients and healthcare access.
• Draft policy briefs, testimony, and advocacy materials in collaboration with the State & Local campaign team.
• Align state and local legislative strategies with federal policy goals and organizational mission.
• Track legislative activity and maintain accurate records of advocacy efforts and outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building & Development (10%)

• Build strategic relationships with advocacy coalitions and health?focused organizations.
• Manage external consultants and lobbying firms to support campaign execution.
• Serve as a public?facing leader for the organizations state advocacy efforts.
• Support ACS and ACSCAN revenue development goals.

Grassroots Mobilization & Campaign Management (15%)

• Support grassroots mobilization efforts, including patient and volunteer engagement.
• Support state?level grassroots campaigns, including action alerts, lobby days, and community engagement events.
• Partner with community organizations, patient groups, and stakeholders to amplify advocacy efforts.
• Participate in state cancer advocacy days.

Team Management (10%)

• Lead and mentor a team of two Government Relations Directors.
• Build a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and accountability.
• Support the hiring, onboarding, and professional development to ensure team excellence.

Communications (10%)

• Serve as a spokesperson on state policy issues in media, public forums, and legislative hearings.
• Develop and deliver presentations to stakeholders, partners, and internal leadership.
• Contribute to advocacy communications including newsletters, social media, and policy updates.

Compliance & Governance (5%)

• Ensure compliance with all lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance laws.
• Oversee reporting and documentation for state?level advocacy activities.

Experience / Qualifications

• Minimum degree: Bachelors Degree.
• Preferred degree: Masters Degree.
• Advanced degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Law, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in state government affairs, with a focus on health or patient advocacy.
• Experience in legislative campaigns.
• Experience working with volunteers, health and patient coalitions, communities, health coalitions, and nonprofit advocacy organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Passion for improving cancer patient policy outcomes and advancing health equity through the legislative and regulatory process.
• Proven ability to drive and achieve legislative results and an action?oriented approach to fast?paced, time?sensitive matters with internal and external constituents.
• Strong understanding of government relations and grassroots organizing.
• Ability to adapt to and manage ambiguity in multi?state political environments.
• Ability to work effectively in a primarily virtual environment and adapt to changing situations.
• Experience collaborating with state health policymakers and advocacy leaders.
• Experience with budget management and external vendor oversight.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in advocacy and leadership.

Travel Requirements

• Position may require up to 20% travel, including overnight and occasional weekend travel.
• Travel will primarily be within assigned regions to support legislative campaigns, attend strategic meetings, and engage with stakeholders.
• Occasional travel to national conferences or headquarters may also be required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel by car, train, or plane as needed.

Benefits & Compensation

The starting rate is $105,000 to $120,000 annual. The final candidates relevant experience and skills will be considered before an offer is extended. ACS?CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are a proud equal opportunity employer.

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