Looking to innovate, grow, and make a positive impact on the lives of others? Join a nonprofit service and advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the lives of older adults, especially those who are struggling.

We Are NCOA and we believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. The National Council on Aging, a national voice for every American’s right to age well, has an exciting opportunity for a Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, in its Arlington, VA/Crystal City office.

The Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer will provide strategic and operational oversight of NCOA’s advocacy, engagement, research, and public policy activities. The incumbent has the responsibility for driving the organization’s social mission and expanding NCOA’s footprint on public policy and in communities across the country. It is expected that the incumbent will lead government affairs and legislative campaigns, and manage public policy efforts through research, tracking, analysis, and reporting of Congressional outreach, institutional partnerships, and grassroots and grasstops engagements.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Work with leadership team to develop, implement, direct, and review NCOA’s policy agenda and strategic planning initiatives.
• Proactively analyze and monitor federal statutes that can assist the department in carrying out its policy initiatives.
• In coordination with the Government Relations & Advocacy Principal, successfully advocate for, and implement policy ideas into legislation and regulation at all levels of government.
• Build NCOA’s capacity to improve our impact with target populations by addressing social determinants through the design of policy ideas that will turn into effective legislation/programs which promote quality aging for all.
• Lead NCOA’s effort to be the conveners of leaders to address our Equity Promise for all aging Americans.
• Plan and conduct advocacy campaigns to influence public policy and leverage public and private funding.
• Oversee the execution of qualitative and quantitative research to the highest standards to develop appropriate policy ideas, briefs and reports which reflect NCOA’s insights.
• Develop policy white papers, fact sheets, and action alerts for major policy campaigns.
• Oversee grassroots and grasstops mobilization efforts, bringing together constituents, community and neighborhood organizations, and local leaders to address impactful priorities.
• Expand and deepen participation of NCOA partners and stakeholders, activating supporters for various policy goals.
• Direct projects and task forces related to our Equity Promise and policies that will reduce the impacts of social determinants of aging well.
• Oversee evaluation efforts related to tracking our social impact and programmatic outcomes.
• Research and analyze emerging aging policies and systems change issues to inform NCOA strategy and to be leveraged in outward facing thought leadership engagements.
• Diversify and grow unrestricted funding sources that will support capacity building and social impact goals, especially related to the advocacy, research, and community activation portfolio.
• Perform other duties as required.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, a Juris Doctorate, or other related field and 15+ years of relevant advocacy, engagement, strategy, and public policy experience.
• 10+ years of experience in a senior management role with a demonstrated track record of working closely with executive management and being an effective networker with experience establishing strong collaborative relationships with leaders.
• Demonstrated success leading advocacy initiatives, including building consensus among a diverse range of partners in the formulation of policy strategy.
• Strong organizational, strategic planning and project management skills.
• Knowledge of the use of law and policy for population improvement at all levels of government and the ability of vision, creative thinking, and sense of urgency necessary to achieve the successful implementation of NCOA’s strategic mission.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.

NCOA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NCOA believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.