Mississippi State Director

Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

AARP’s Community, State and National Affairs (CSN) Group includes Government Relations, Programs, Volunteer Engagement, Community Outreach and Advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. It delivers on AARP’s social mission by educating and engaging people 50-plus and their families, strengthening communities, and championing issues that help give people financial and health security.

The Mississippi State Director sets the overall vision and direction of the organization’s work in the state and leads a team of staff and volunteers to execute organizational priorities. Leads collaboration with business units across the organization and provides intelligence about on-the-ground developments that might affect the organization. Assesses environmental dynamics and decides where and how state office resources should be deployed throughout the state. Minimizes organizational and reputational risk and maximizes strategic opportunities for the organization across the state. Serves as the public face of the organization with stakeholders throughout the state.

Responsibilities

• Develops a state-specific strategic vision for the organization that considers organizational priorities, state and local-level needs and issues, and feedback from internal and external stakeholders. Mobilizes the state office team of staff and volunteers in the execution of the strategic vision. Collaborates with staff across the organization in support of the state’s work and leverages organizational resources effectively.
• Directs the development and execution of advocacy strategies at the local, state, and federal levels. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, as well as internal and external partners to achieve the organization’s advocacy goals. Gathers and disseminates political intelligence. Manages relationships with elected officials at all levels. Collaborates with internal/external partners on advocacy strategy development.
• Directs the development and execution of communications strategies within the state, including targeting priority audiences and geographies. Ensures the effective use of communications channels and media partnerships that align with strategic objectives and help to raise the visibility of the organization with members, lawmakers, influencers, and the public.
• Directs the development and execution of engagement strategies, including targeting priority audiences and geographies. Establishes community partnerships and ensures the engagement of community partners to accomplish strategic objectives. Ensures integration of strategies across geographies and issue areas.
• Manages the state office budget to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and meet financial benchmarks. Manages organizational risk and ensures compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Directs the development and support of a team or teams of volunteers to assist in executing the state’s strategic plan, including recruitment, engagement, and recognition of volunteers.
• Provides strong people management, leadership and decision making for AARP in the state. Monitors and supports employee engagement and volunteer engagement.
  
  

Qualifications

• BA degree and a minimum of 8 years of extensive, progressively responsible people management experience. Experience managing a geographically dispersed team of staff and volunteers preferred. Ability to manage advocacy, outreach, communications, and budget functions, while unifying a team around a set of clear priorities. Proven track record of managing a multi-generational workforce.
• Ability to lead and implement change management initiatives that can be both internal-focused and consumer/member-facing. Inspire staff to learn and test new technological approaches. Ability to have and manage difficult conversations.
• Proven expertise in budgeting and forecasting, with a deep understanding of resource requirements. Demonstrated ability to strategically align these elements within a comprehensive strategic plan. Skilled in developing frameworks for resource prioritization and effectively communicating these priorities to stakeholders.
• Systems-driven strategist with a high tolerance for internal processes.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to volunteerism and a record of achievement in recruiting, developing, managing, and empowering volunteers. Capable of developing a strong working partnership with the volunteer State President, the volunteer Executive Council, and lead volunteers.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with non-profit, governmental, and business organizations and experience navigating and/or influencing policymakers and elected officials.
• Requires in and out-of-state travel up to 50%, reliable transportation, and evening and weekend hours as required.
• Demonstrated advocacy knowledge, political awareness, and community organizing experience. A proven ability to deliver results in a non-partisan environment. Aging and/or issue expertise and knowledge of Mississippi politics preferred.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
  
  

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation And Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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