Director of Government Relations

The Amputee Coalition is a mission-driven, non-profit organization serving those who have experienced limb loss or limb difference (LL/LD) and the community that supports them. We are the national leader in empowering the LL/LD community through support, information and advocacy.

Salary Category: Exempt.

Supervisor: This position reports to the Chief Policy & Programs Officer.

Employment status: This is a full-time position.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Chief Policy & Programs Officer, the Director of Government Relations is responsible for developing the positions of the Amputee Coalition on public policy issues, integrating public policy development with grass roots organization and implementing policy decisions.  This position is also responsible for assuring that the organization is utilizing up to date information in communications and in project management and program development.

This position is responsible for educating elected officials and advocates on issues affecting people with LL/LD and the Amputee Coalition, assisting states and advocates in the operations of legislative and rule making campaigns affecting the LL/LD community, driving a national discussion on LL/LD issues with federal legislators and advancing federal legislation and rules affecting people with LL/LD or the Amputee Coalition.  This position also works with the Chief Policy & Programs Officer around developing and implementing training for individual advocates to better advocate for themselves and on issues impacting the community.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative support to the Government Relations Advisory Committee and lead advocates.  Provides the committee with updates and engaging feedback on policy issues to help make policy decisions.
• Reviews current literature on public policy related to LL/LD and maintains relevant data elements for dissemination to the Amputee Coalition staff for use in communications, grant writing, updating the web site, public policy position statements and other Amputee Coalition projects.
• Writes position statements and white papers on LL/LD and health care policies and other relevant topics for dissemination to the LL/LD community and to the general public.
• Develops and coordinates activities around “Limb Loss Awareness Month” to raise awareness of the LL/LD community, develop and explain policy positions on various issues affecting people with LL/LD and the Amputee Coalition for advocates, agencies, decision makers, and elected officials, maintain a presence on the Amputee Coalition’s Government Relations Committee, and maintain active engagement with the community through the Amputee Coalition’s Communications Department with website and social media interactions.
• Designs and implement communications strategies that best serve the needs of the LL/LD community and the Amputee Coalition in policy discussions, activate advocates on important issues, and represent the Amputee Coalition with media inquiries on policy issues.
• Develops metrics and monitoring tools for reporting to the Board of Directors and to the public.
• Meets with the leadership team to keep the team informed of progress in public policy issues, lead advocate trainings, and other projects as needed.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition in meetings with government agencies, policy makers to maintain working relationships, and appropriate lines of communication as needed.
• Maintains an active presence with advocacy partners, like minded organizations, and agencies, and represent the needs of the LL/LD community and the Amputee Coalition in policy discussions.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition in coordination with other leadership in meetings with partner organizations as necessary to build relationships, coordinate activities and communicate relevant activities of the Amputee Coalition.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition and LL/LD community on key committees with partners to ensure a voice from the LL/LD community on key issues
• Manage Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator and any consultant contracts related to government relations and advocacy efforts
• Work with the Chief Policy & Programs Officer to develop and monitor the budget of assigned grant deliverables and other projects and tasks.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a Government Relations position in a non-profit health related organization.
• Masters Degree in Public Policy or substantial relevant experience in health care policy and grass roots organizing preferred.
• Hill experience preferred or substantial relevant experience in government relations and federal policy making.
• Computer skills and knowledge of software needed to compile needed information for limb loss policy analysis.
• Clear understanding of federal legislative process and state legislative process.
• Experience utilizing online tools for databases and online meetings.
• Excellent administrative, oral, written, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Strong work ethic and strong desire to produce an exceptional product.
• Ability to build relationships with legislative offices.
• Ability to effectively present policy issues to groups of consumers, professionals, policy/decision makers, and board members as needed.
• Ability to problem solve, exercise judgment, and work with minimum direction.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and displaying information.
• Time management skills and very effective organization skills.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Amputee Coalition.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. May require lifting and/or carrying of 10 to 50 pounds.

Preference will be given to a person with limb loss/limb difference with equivalent qualifications and experience.

This position is funded by a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.

Due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements.

This position is located in Washington D.C. There is no relocation reimbursement available for this position.

Director of Development

The Amputee Coalition is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization serving those who have experienced limb loss or have a limb difference and the community that supports them. We are the national leader in empowering the limb loss community through support, information and advocacy.

Salary Category: Exempt.

Supervisor: This position reports to President/Chief Executive Officer

Employment status: This is a full-time position.

Position Description

The Director of Development will help advance the mission and strategic plan of the Amputee Coalition.  Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the Director will work closely with the Amputee Coalition’s internal departments to develop and implement strategic development programs, processes, and activities.

The Director will develop and manage fundraising budgets and programs, manage development staff, and serve as staff liaison to the Coalition’s Development Committee. The Director will be responsible for the development, implementation, and growth of effective donor recognition, stewardship, and communication programs.

The Director of Development will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team in strategic decision-making and operations as the Amputee Coalition continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. This is a tremendous opportunity for a development leader to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity and sponsor recognition of a well-respected, high-impact organization.

Responsibilities

• Enhance and grow comprehensive annual giving programs including:
  • Integrated direct response activities
  • National conferences and special events
  • Corporate and foundation giving (including corporate sponsorships)
  • Create and execute a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors
• Develop and implement a major gifts program incorporating best practices in development management
• Cultivate a planned giving program and other long-term strategies
• Strengthen and grow the corporate sponsorship program
• Develop and maintain government and foundation grants program

Experience

• A minimum of five years of comprehensive development experience at the managerial level in a non-profit organization; health related organization preferred.
• Has managed a dynamic portfolio of significant prospects with a focus on major gifts, successful track-record of cultivating relationships that lead to solicitations; consistent focus on gift prospecting.
• Proven history of successfully managing development staff and programs.
• Strategic design and implementation of comprehensive fundraising campaigns (direct mail, telefunding, events).
• The development of effective fundraising communications (donor solicitation, recognition, stewardship, and retention with programmatic results) delivered through creative written, spoken, event, and web-based mediums;
• Direct major gift solicitation from individuals, corporations and foundations (capital campaign experience preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to identify, lead, and motivate volunteer committees including Board level committees.
• Experience in financial management (expenses and revenue projections and control).
• Comprehensive working knowledge of donor database strategies and management (Salesforce preferred).

Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence in fundraising best practices and procedures including constituent management, donor identification, segmentation, solicitation and stewardship;
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience in effective cross-divisional collaboration;
• Strong advocacy skills that motivate staff, volunteers and donors to commit to and provide support for the Amputee Coalition’s mission;
• Integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Amputee Coalition;
• Commitment to timely follow-through on deliverables;
• Current knowledge of relevant GAAP, FASB and IRS regulations applicable to the wide range of gifts received by the Coalition.
• Undergraduate degree required/advanced degree preferred from an accredited college or university.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

Professional Qualities

• Organized, self-starter with a strong work ethic
• Quality driven
• Integrity, confidentiality and professionalism
• Credibility, accountability, and dedication to the Amputee Coalition’s mission
• Team focus and flexibility
• Outgoing, energetic and comfortable presenting to various group sizes

Employment Terms

• Location for this position will be Washington, DC
• No relocation reimbursement
• Preference will be given to a person with limb loss/limb difference with equivalent qualifications and experience.
• May require overnight travel of up to 10 trips per year.

Director of Communications

The Amputee Coalition is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization serving those who have experienced limb loss or have a limb difference and the community that supports them. We are the national leader in empowering the limb loss community through support, information and advocacy.

Salary Category: Exempt.

Supervisor: This position reports to President/Chief Executive Officer

Employment status: This is a full-time position.

Position Description

The Director of Communications is an integral member of the Amputee Coalition’s Leadership Team and is responsible for guiding the strategy of all communications including website, social media, earned media, public relations messages and collateral pieces to communicate our mission with consistency. The Director of Communications will ensure that the Amputee Coalition and its National Limb Loss Resource Center are seen as the primary source, disseminator, and conduit of information for people impacted by limb loss and limb difference. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Communications will also support and elevate service and support programs as well as advocacy and public policy efforts.

Reporting to the President/CEO, the Director of Communications will build upon the Amputee Coalition’s leadership position in the limb loss community. Develop and execute communication strategies that will enable the organization to reach its goals and further the mission of the organization. The key objective of the Director of Communications will be to create deeper awareness and familiarity in the community, key opinion leaders, advocates, volunteers and donors about the Amputee Coalition, the National Limb Loss Resource Center, and other national programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the annual communications plan in collaboration with the leadership team. The plan will include print, website, social media, earned media, planned and supplemental publications, events, marketing, communication priorities and growth strategies to enhance the awareness of our programs and impact our mission in new ways each year.
• Grow current communication platforms of print, website, social media, webinars and outreach presentations to positively impact the lives of those we serve and advocate for and to promote the National Limb Loss Resource Center and other national programs.
• Have a “nose for news” – work across programs and activities to create newsworthy opportunities and secure earned media. Provide guidance to the team on what is interesting to journalists about the organization and how best to position programs to garner media exposure.
• Understand the organization’s different audiences and segment messaging and outreach accordingly.
• Responsible for editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all print and electronic communications including, but not limited to, bimonthly magazine, newsletters, brochures, webinars and the website.
• Lead and direct the responsibilities of the communications staff to fulfill the objectives of the communications plan.
• Establish and monitor communications’ staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Ensure that the key components of our mission, outreach, education and advocacy are woven throughout our communications.
• Responsible for brand standards and style guide. Ensure consistency and quality of our messaging, graphic representations and promotional materials.
• Lead and coordinate the generation of meaningful action-driven online content that will engage the limb loss and limb difference community.
• Track and measure the level of engagement with communication activities over time.
• Organize and execute annual meetings of the editorial board (committee) to ensure we are engaging our communities’ discrete audiences.
• Work cross-divisionally on annual events, including national conference, regional education days, youth camp, and Hill day.
• Develop and manage relationships with reporters, and work with the leadership team to decide the who, where, and when to disseminate information, including press releases, targeted pitches, notifications and news items. Serve as the key media contact for the organization.
• Perform and facilitate spokesperson duties, including messaging and speechwriting for leadership.
• Bring attention to and suggest solutions for institutional priorities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field is required; an advanced degree is desirable.
• Highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Experience in a management role building, mentoring, and coaching a team of communications specialists.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports, literature, and other print publications and directories.
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• Sets and manages deadlines well, provides enough lead time to collaborate with others, is a thoughtful internal and external communicator at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with stakeholders, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, policy-makers, strategic partners and other supporters.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications and media relations program to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Planning and budgeting experience.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Professional Qualities

• Organized, self-starter with a strong work ethic
• Quality driven
• Integrity, confidentiality and professionalism
• Credibility, accountability, and dedication to the Amputee Coalition’s mission
• Team focus and flexibility
• Outgoing, energetic and comfortable presenting to various group sizes

Employment Terms

• Location for this position will be Washington, DC
• No relocation reimbursement
• Preference will be given to a person with limb loss/limb difference with equivalent qualifications and experience.
• May require overnight travel of up to 10 trips per year.