Community Engagement Manager, Health Equity

ACS - American Cancer Society

Remote, Memphis, TN, United States

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Health Equity, State & Local Campaigns, this position will work with Memphis and Tennessee state coalitions and partners to continue to grow grassroots campaign network, engage diverse and new partner organizations and supports, effectively advocate for equitable health policies at the local and state levels.

This position is part of a team charged with leveraging the assets and capabilities of ACS CAN to work alongside community members to effectively advocate for equitable health polices for cancer patients, survivors, those with chronic diseases and those at risk with cancer and chronic diseases and advance public policy issue campaigns.

The Engagement Manager will help grow ACS CAN's partnerships on the ground while also increasing grassroots capacity for the organization. The Community Engagement Manager will work in close collaboration with the project team, including ACS CAN state and regional staff, ACS CAN's Health Equity staff and ACS CAN grassroots, media advocacy, and policy teams. This position will engage in strategic conversations and collaborate with state staff to best identify opportunities to advance campaign strategies and execution.

This is a partially grant-funded position, with time-limited funding currently funded through Dec 2025.

***This is a remote position working in the communities of Memphis, TN. Candidate MUST be located in Memphis, TN.***

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement in consultation with field staff and Director of Health Equity, State & Local Campaigns, a comprehensive plan for engagement of volunteers and partners in support of assigned public policy campaign. Use fundamental principles of Direct Action Organizing.

Identify and interview potential partners, with the goal of building a local coalition centered on local and state advocacy efforts. In collaboration with the project team and media advocacy staff: (1) Assist in the development and successful execution of a plan for identifying and collecting diverse stories from the community related to a specific policy initiative; (2) Support execution of a media plan to leverage these stories through various media channels; (3) Identify, collect, produce and deploy stories in a story sharing campaign. and (4) as appropriate recruit individuals to join ACS CAN as a volunteer. Coordinate campaign activities with grassroots coalition partners, as well as with state, regional and national ACS CAN grassroots teams.

Accurately and effectively represent ACS CAN and its mission in a manner commensurate with the organization's brand.

Establish and maintain collaborations and partnerships with other organizations and community influencers to forward assigned campaign objectives. In coordination with ACS CAN field, Health Equity, and State and Local Campaigns team, participate in local and state coalition strategy calls as appropriate to support, deliver and contribute to campaign strategies. Work with the media advocacy staff, prepare stories gathered for the campaigns for dissemination.

Working with the media advocacy and grassroots staff, package stories to be shared on social media as part of a coordinated digital campaign. Incorporate stories into existing campaign events such as coalition meetings, rallies, town hall/community meetings, briefings, hearings and other related meetings with policymakers.

Maintain direct local relationships, as appropriate, with elected officials and their staff persons. Work with manager and appropriate Managing Director to comply with lobbying requirements and reporting. Other duties as assigned.

FORMAL KNOWLEDGE

Preferred BS, BA degree with demonstrated campaign/legislative and or communications experience in public health, sociology, public policy, health equity, or another related field.
Minimum of 3-5 years of public health or non-profit operational and project and or budget management experience.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, as well as the ability to adopt the style, tone, and voice accordingly when documenting people's stories.
Well-organized and detail oriented.
Highly collaborative style. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with many different stakeholders and constituencies.
Ability to multi-task and can be flexible in performing tasks as priorities will change from time to time depending upon program changes. Strong interpersonal skills.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE

Experience producing content for the web, as well as channel-specific knowledge (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Knowledge of health equity programs and initiatives available to individuals and families.
Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse individuals and families.
Experience creating and executing communications and/or campaign/legislative plans.
Experience creating and managing diverse coalitions.
Understanding of public policy and the social determinants of health.

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

Campaign and media and communications strategic, development, production and management skills with the ability to respond to changing circumstances/priorities.
Demonstrated ability to work with coalitions and groups together to deliver results.
Ability to manage internal and external collaborations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to handle difficult situations involving difficult people.
Ability to handle multiple planned and unplanned projects, roles, and responsibilities.
Persistent attention to detail, while maintaining an overall view of the situation.
Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision.
Demonstrated work ethic, integrity and professional conduct.
Consistent ability to set and deliver against a work plan in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to communicate with volunteers, staff, and constituencies from multiple organizations, and to provide strategic guidance in a collaborative, consultative, and positive manner. Information research, analysis, and evaluation skills.