Director, Grassroots

Job Description

Better Medicare Alliance, (BMA), is the leading national advocacy and research non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that advocates for Medicare Advantage on behalf of a coalition of stakeholder organizations and beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage now covers the lives of more than 50 percent of the Medicare population. 

BMA is a community of one million Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and over 200 Ally organizations and experts, caregivers, health plans, doctors, nurses, and aging and community-based organizations leading the way on health care access and affordability, driven by our common goal to support and strengthen Medicare Advantage. More than 31 million beneficiaries have made the choice to enroll in Medicare Advantage. Seniors and people with disabilities deserve quality, affordable health care — and we believe Medicare Advantage provides the opportunity for a healthier future. 

BMA’s mission is to build a healthy future for seniors by advocating for a strong Medicare Advantage. Our expert staff provides timely research that builds the evidence for the value of Medicare Advantage. We advocate for policies that ensure access, quality, and affordability to improve outcomes for all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. We partner with the Medicare Advantage ally community and mobilize beneficiaries giving them the tools they need to speak up for the option of Medicare Advantage. 

The Director of Grassroots will serve as a strategist overseeing a growing, national on-the-ground issue advocacy effort on behalf of BMA’s policy priorities related to Medicare Advantage and will manage multi-state beneficiary mobilization and field efforts. Reporting to the SVP, Communications, she/he/they will assist in implementing an online digital community strategy, coordinating with Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with the help of various communication tools, including online surveys and petitions through Phone2Action, Quorum, and NationBuilder. 

• The Director of Grassroots will develop an annual Beneficiary Mobilization Plan and oversee and drive key engagements with the over 1 million beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage. 
• He/she/they will work collaboratively with the communications, policy advocacy and government relations teams to design and implement cohesive grassroots/grass tops advocacy strategies that advances policy issues critical to BMA’s future success. 
• Manage consultants and vendors in executing Beneficiary Mobilization Plan and Field Operations Plan; Manage, coordinate, and ensure appropriate utilization of external beneficiary advocacy support, including outside consultants and vendors. 
• Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-channel campaigns, including communications, third-party engagement, grassroots and grass tops mobilization, and government relations, will coordinate with key BMA departments where appropriate. 
• Coordinate advocacy strategies and approaches across related issue teams and alliance functions as part of overseeing grassroots activities. 
• Update and engage internal stakeholders on critical policy developments; provide related strategic issues and advocacy advice to senior management on beneficiary engagement matters. 
• Provide support, as needed, to the communications and government relations teams. This may include assisting in the drafting of communications materials, official correspondence, or other policy advocacy thought leadership and collateral related to beneficiary mobilization and field operations. 
• Maintain an in-depth situational awareness of external political and economic factors that may impact BMA’s grassroots activities and identify opportunities to advance BMA’s advocacy agenda. 

• Minimum 4-6 years of strong experience in managing policy advocacy and public affairs campaigns in a corporate, association, and trade group setting.
• The successful candidate will have advocacy (digital and/or on-the-ground), and/or public affairs This includes a strong and successful record in areas such as political campaigns, corporations, consulting firms, digital advocacy firms or leading trade associations. Well-developed advocacy skills are essential. Experience in the health care sector is preferred but not required.
• Proven success developing and executing grassroots advocacy strategies for policy or political organizations.
• Success developing stakeholder engagement plans and execution roadmaps.
• Experience engaging and growing national digital and on-the-ground audiences.
• An organizer mindset, someone who knows how to identify moments and use messaging to mobilize interest and action.
• Ability to follow multiple moving campaigns, and make decisions to prioritize among other important initiatives. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including attention to detail, clarity, speed, and accuracy, as well as creative abilities to draft and develop fresh, original content and work across email, web and social. 
• Ability to serve as a campaign strategist who can counsel internal stakeholders on advocacy tactics to use under a variety of circumstances. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships while enhancing the BMA’s policy positions and reputation. 
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to gather, assess, and synthesize information from various sources. 
• Flexibility, drive, and an energetic and dynamic approach to problem solving. 
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines within an organization driven by high standards and strong processes. 
• A highly-motivated, exceptionally hard-working individual with an interest in state and federal public policy and a laser focus on attention-to-detail. 
• A curious self-starter who is collaborative and shows initiative. 
• Experience in and an understanding of the health care sector. 
• An understanding of media and social media monitoring tools. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs. 

The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. An advanced degree is preferred, but not required. 

An attractive compensation and benefit package will be offered to attract the most qualified candidates. This position is in Washington, DC, with BMA following a hybrid work schedule.

Please send resume, references, and applicable writing samples to Ann Castagnetti (ann@plbsearch.com).