State Advocacy Manager, Community Benefit and Economic Stability Project

Join an organization at the forefront of health advocacy across the nation

Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. Learn more about our vision for the future in our five-year strategic plan.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Community Benefit and Economic Stability Project (“Medical Debt Project”) seeks a State Advocacy Manager (SAM) to handle relationships with state-based advocacy organizations throughout the country, providing technical assistance using Community Catalyst’s six capacities to consumer advocates, providers and policymakers.

The Community Benefit and Economic Stability Project supports state and local consumer advocacy groups in 10 states leveraging IRS 501r community benefit regulations to promote hospital/health system policies or programs that are responsive to – and do not financially harm – communities and promote health equity and economic stability. The project is focused on historically excluded populations and low-income communities. The SAM will work with multiple organizations in these states to build consumer leadership skills and strengthen the organized consumer voice to shape relevant policies at the state and local levels. This position will also help to facilitate a learning community with advocates to inform related state and national policies. The SAM will be an integral member of the Community Benefit and Economic Stability Project team, in addition to participating in a broader team of technical assistance providers at Community Catalyst.

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by a staff union, Community Catalyst United, and specific employment terms may be subject to a future Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Supervision: The State Advocacy Manager will be supervised by the Associate Director of the Community Benefit and Economic Stability Project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages day-to-day relationships with state and local partner organizations from 4-5 states, including developing workplans and monitoring adherence with program requirements.
• Actively identify partner needs and identify tools, resources and policy briefs to be used by partners to advance their efforts.
• Offers timely, efficient, tailored technical assistance to state and local partner organizations, drawing on other Center and Community Catalyst staff members as needed. This will include help with:
  • Strategy
  • coalition-building, including partnerships with groups work on financial strengthening,
  • grassroots education and outreach
  • strategic communications
  • generating resources, including funding
  • policy analysis
  • tracking and evaluation of progress
• Identify opportunities for partners to share their work and expertise with external audiences.
• Coordinates with Community Catalyst program staff to maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, state and federal community benefit and billing/collection policy initiatives and advocacy strategies used in other states in order to identify potential issues and opportunities for state partners.
• Assist in facilitating a learning community among local and state advocates interested in advancing consumer friendly hospital policies related to financial assistance, billing and collection practices, and community benefit programs.
• Actively participates as a member of the project team, assisting with program planning, design and proposal development.
• Facilitates the integration of Community Catalyst federal and state campaign activities, including organizing, communications and products, where appropriate.
• Works closely with the team to maintain a clearinghouse on relevant state and federal policy initiatives, advocacy strategies and efforts to advance health equity.
• As necessary, works with state partners on organizational development to increase their effectiveness as it may relate to staffing, fundraising and/or planning.
• In coordination with other project staff, maintain regular communication with collaborating partner organizations, and carry out communications activities to ensure the visibility of the project, including the following:
  • contribute to quarterly newsletters, distill information from reports, research and news stories.
  • assist in facilitating connections with partners and media requests
  • craft content for blog posts, MailChimp announcements and presentation.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years relevant work experience or 5 years of relevant work experience
• Health policy and/or health care delivery system knowledge
• Commitment to social justice and experience in social change activism such as: legislative advocacy or political/policy issue campaigns; community organizing; working with coalitions and stakeholders; and/or implementing communications strategies
• Proven skills in community organizing or engagement, leadership and relationship development, collaboration, and team building
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including experience with public speaking, training, facilitating, and/or coaching
• Ability to convey complex information in writing and speaking so that it is easily understood by the general public
• Strong organizational skills, including an ability to manage several projects at once and respond to tight timelines
• Experience with working independently in a collaborative team environment

Preferred

• Ability to travel in US
• Bilingual/bicultural background
• Experience conducting hospital/health system research and analysis

BENEFITS & SALARY RANGE

• Salary Range: $54,500 - $62,000
• Generous paid time off policy
• Robust benefits package
• Location: Flexible, can be based anywhere with the USA. If the employee is not based on the East Coast, flexibility in supporting different time zones may be required.

Applicants should submit a resume with a one page cover letter briefly summarizing their interest in and qualifications for the position to: jobs@communitycatalyst.org. Please put “State Advocacy Manager, Community Benefit & Economic Stability Project” in the subject line.

Community Catalyst is strongly committed to building a work environment that recognizes, respects, and encourages the unique contributions of a broad spectrum of qualified employees. We strive to make employment decisions that support inclusion to maintain a work atmosphere that is diverse, equitable and promotes family friendly practices and work‐life benefits so that people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. 

We do not discriminate in hiring based on age, color, ethnicity, race, national origin, primary language, religion, socio‐ economic status, family status, mental and physical disabilities, veteran status, gender identity characteristics and/or expression, sex, medical condition, sexual orientation or any other classification that is protected by federal, state, or local law.

Through all of our programs, Community Catalyst works to build a better future for all individuals by advancing health equity, focusing on people of color, immigrants, as well as disability, gender, sexual identity and socioeconomic status. It is important for our staff to reflect the diverse communities with which we work. People of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender‐nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.