Grassroots Manager, Texas - Remote (Greater Austin or San Antonio Focused)

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's 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 Grassroots Manager plans and executes a comprehensive grassroots advocacy program across an assigned geography. This includes attracting volunteers and developing, maintaining, and implementing a volunteer leadership program. The position is responsible for developing and implementing grassroots strategies and campaign plans for local, state, and federal legislative priorities, and facilitating the achievement of ACS CAN volunteer fundraising goals primarily through supporting volunteers in their fundraising. The position embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of the role, particularly through volunteer attraction, development, and engagement. The position models the organization's values and cultural beliefs and complies with all relevant lobbying protocols for each state and executes all assigned administrative duties.

This is a remote position that is preferred to be home based within the Central/South Texas area. Candidates can be located in commutable distance and must be able to regularly travel and work in the Austin and San Antonio communities. The role will have some limited travel to other parts of Texas to support volunteers and events, including at least bi-annual travel to the Rio Grande Valley.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:          

Grassroots Strategy, Volunteer Attraction and Engagement, and Organizing: (50%)    

Develops and implements comprehensive local and state grassroots strategies and advocacy campaigns,  demonstrating  volunteer constituent support for cancer-related policy initiatives in conjunction with the state Government Relations Director.   

Supports federal campaigns and congressional champion building for the organization's issues, working collaboratively to execute a grassroots strategy.   Organizes   volunteers to complete federal activities in collaboration with national teams.   

Communicates strategically using messages that are tailored to specific political environments and attuned to the rapid pace of legislative activities in assigned state(s). Writes and  disseminates  e-mails to volunteers, legislative alerts, issue talking points, and training curriculum for a diverse audience of volunteers.   

Plans and manages Cancer Action lobby days or similar events, including virtual,   to drive   engagement and policy wins.   

Maintains ACS CAN web pages, Facebook pages, and/or other social media accounts according to organizational guidelines and standards, coordinating where applicable.   

Identifies  and develops volunteers with personal stories related to ACS CAN's policy campaigns, engaging in story collection where applicable.   

Serves as the staff manager of the volunteer structure in the assigned geography coordinating appropriately with leadership volunteers. Accountable to filling any vacancies in the structure and ensuring sufficient capacity throughout the geography.   

Implement the fundamental principles of Direct-Action Organizing to organize and manage state legislative campaigns.   

Coordinates campaign activities with grassroots/patient coalition partners, as well as with regional and national ACS CAN teams.   

Accurately and effectively  represents  ACS CAN and its mission and in a manner  commensurate  with the organization's brand.   

Establishes and  maintains  strategic collaborations and partnerships with other organizations, as  appropriate .   

Ensures that in leading electoral activity in the assigned state(s) through Cancer Votes, working closely with staff partners and national staff, the program adheres to all IRS and ACS CAN legal and reporting requirements.   

Follow all ACS CAN policies and guidelines.   

Integration and Capacity Building: (30%)    

Attracts, trains, and develops volunteers, through a variety of internal and external channels, implementing development, communication,  training  and recognition programs for volunteers.   

Strengthens grassroots capacity through the ACS CAN's volunteer structure,  maintaining  excellent relationships with  grasstops  and grassroots volunteers.   

Facilitates local, state, and federal grassroots advocacy by volunteers, including the building and  maintaining  of relationships with elected officials and members of their staff. Primary responsibility for  maintaining  direct local relationships, as  appropriate , with elected officials and their staff members.   

Supports cross-functional collaboration with the American Cancer Society regional staff, coalitions, and partners to align and amplify grassroots campaigns.   

Conducts  training as needed for volunteers and ACS staff, equipping others for interactions with elected officials and their staff.   

Consistently inputs and  maintains  ACS CAN volunteer information in the organization's databases, such as Salesforce.   

Works closely with ACS regional staff, coalitions, and partners to align and amplify grassroots campaigns.   

Volunteer Fundraising: (20%)    

Drives volunteer fundraising in the assigned state(s).   

Encourages volunteer-led fundraising that comports with the organization's guidelines with the goal of raising money, engaging, and growing our volunteer base through existing volunteer networks, including volunteer-led events and volunteer participation  in Lights of  Hope or other national programs.   

Participates in ACS CAN fundraising activities as directed towards achievement of organizational and personal fundraising goals.   

Supports policy forums or other fundraising events, if applicable.   

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS    

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience   

Political issues or campaign organizing experience   strongly   preferred.   

Experience attracting, developing, and engaging volunteers preferred.   

Fundraising experience is a plus.   

Experience using Salesforce, Every Action, or similar tools is a plus.   

Experience or familiarity with fundamentals of  Direct Action  Organizing is a plus.   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILILITY    

Strong written, oral, interpersonal, computer, and social media skills are  required .   

Highly organized orientation and time management skills are  required .   

Proven ability to handle multiple projects and to work independently with minimum direction and work as a member or leader of a team.   

Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external constituents.   

Ability to  establish , hold meetings, and  maintain  effective working relationships with state and federal legislative officials.   

Ability to  establish  and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and communities.   

Ability to complete work in multiple venues and state political environments in  a timely  and efficient manner and ensure work is  accurate .   

Ability to  utilize  available technology to perform position responsibilities.   

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:     

This position may require travel up to 20%, including overnight and occasional weekend travel.   

Travel will primarily be within assigned state(s) 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.   

The starting rate is $64,000 to $70,000 annual. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.