The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Director, Federal Advocacy, serves as the advocacy communications lead for ACS CAN’s Federal Advocacy & Coalitions team working in close coordination with the advocacy communications team and across functions to drive integrated communications that advance our federal legislative and regulatory priorities. This role combines strategic communications leadership with federal lobbying and coalition work, translating complex policy issues into compelling narratives that influence policymakers, engage key stakeholders, and elevate the organization’s profile. The Director advocates for evidence-based public policy with the goal of reducing the cancer burden and serves as a principal registered federal lobbyist on an assigned portfolio of issues before Congress and the Administration.

**This is a hybrid role. The ideal candidate needs to live within a reasonable commute to Washington DC**

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leads strategic communications planning and execution for federal advocacy team coordinating closely with the media team and across digital, field and coalition functions to advance federal priorities and engage stakeholders. (60%)
• Draft and edit high-quality, advocacy content including, talking points, newsletters, emails, internal and external presentations, letters, briefing materials and digital content as necessary and other communications.
• Utilize public opinion research (polling focus groups, surveys, analytics) to identify and inform the most effective framing, narratives and calls to action for federal lawmaker and policymaker audiences.
• Translate research insights into clear messages, framework, talking points and creative content that can be leveraged across functions including media, digital, paid, field, and coalition partners.
• Represents ACS CAN before members of Congress and Congressional staff, Executive Branch/Administrative Agency personnel, coalition partners, and others to advance federal legislative and regulatory priorities. (30%) 
• Supports volunteer development and engagement, donor engagement, and ACS CAN and ACS and events as necessary. (10%) 

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Preferred: ​Bachelor's Degree​  
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public policy, journalism or related field. Advanced degree is a plus.   
• A minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience required, including extensive communications and federal legislative and/or advocacy experience.    
• Capitol Hill or Administration experience strongly preferred.    

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic communications that support policy change or issue advocacy.
• Exceptional communication skills including writing and editing and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive messages for a variety of audiences.
• Strong experience in message development, including use of polling, focus groups, and analytics to inform advocacy strategy.
• Self-directed, collaborative, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced advocacy environment with a strong understanding of the health care media, political, and grassroots landscape.
• Strong experience with audience understanding, data literacy, visual communication, basic design principles and tool fluency and adaptability. Expertise in utilizing applications such as Canva, Constant Contact, Quorum, or Mailchimp; and social media platforms and analytics.  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel required.  

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.