The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-fueled organization whose mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the quality of life for the children and adults affected by these diseases. Our work is dramatically accelerating the research process through our varied research initiatives; we also provide extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. In addition, we lead federal and state-based advocacy campaigns to support medical research funding and improve patient access to care. The Foundation’s core values of compassion, integrity, leadership, collaboration, and inclusion inspire and drive every member of our highly performing team.
Position Summary
The Vice President, Advocacy is responsible for leading the Foundation’s advocacy team, which will develop and implement the Foundation's national and state advocacy strategy. The Vice President, Advocacy will proactively work with the Foundation's contract advocacy advisors, and advocacy team on congressional initiatives, engage with NIH, CDC, DOD, and PCORI on a regular basis ensuring IBD funding and research are included within these agencies’ platforms and engage with the National Scientific Advisory Committee: Government and Industry Affairs (GIA),NSAC members, Board of Trustees Advocacy Committee (Advocacy Committee) and Foundation staff to develop a strategy to guide relationships with these agencies to advance specific legislative and funding opportunities. The Vice President will also work closely with Foundation chapters to elevate the visibility and value of legislative advocacy for patients, and to develop a strategy to systematically address state IBD legislative issues.
Candidates must reside in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.
Essential Functions And Responsibilities
Policy
- Monitor emerging access issues as well as progress on existing priorities.
- Analyze policy proposals and regularly evaluate policy priorities for the Foundation in conjunction with Board of Trustees, National Scientific Advisory committee and Senior Leadership
- Create position statements and guidance documents for support or opposition positions.
- Review all sign-on letters, Foundation letters and comments, and position statements.
- Assure that all new issue areas are in alignment with the strategic plan and Foundation priorities.
Leadership
- Engage in and encourage brainstorming, collaboration, and accountability across the Advocacy team and the Foundation’s constituents.
- Monitor and report workflow, outputs, and outcomes across advocacy priorities
- Engage in appropriate coalitions and collaborations to advance Foundation legislative priorities
- Promote and champion Foundation’s advocacy progress and alert to any potential controversies.
- Build relationships and partner with other team leads within ESA and across the Foundation fostering integration and collaboration.
- Increase integration of advocacy throughout the Foundation and inspire Foundation staff to participate in the Advocacy Network.
- Partner Advancement and Business Development teams to find funding opportunities and submit grants that do not involve legislative campaigns.
Administrative
- Advise, support, monitor progress, coach, and assure accountability of advocacy team.
- Active role in the annual budgeting process
- Monitor spending and track actuals and projections monthly.
- Review approve Advocacy department contracts and invoices.
- Serve as the Foundation staff lead to the Board of Trustee and National Scientific Advisory Committee holding regular meetings
- Serve as a media spokesperson for advocacy when occasions arise.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Legal degree required
- 10+ years of state and federal advocacy; non-profit experience a plus
- Proficiency in working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects, exercising good judgment in prioritization.
- Exceptional organization skills.
- Outstanding writing skills; technical and inspirational
- Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
- Prior experience leading staff.
- Experience with chapter-based organizations a plus.
- Proven ability to collaborate with other departments and organizations.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and CRM.
