You are thrilled to lead the charge in crafting powerful narratives that do more than inform—they can ignite action. Your words will possess the ability to shape policy and drive meaningful change. As an Advocacy Communications Manager, you serve as the essential link between eager advocates and the wider public, ensuring that critical issues are not only heard but deeply felt. This is far more than a career; it’s a mission to elevate voices and make a lasting impact.

If this sounds like you, please read on! 

The Advocacy Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing all external and internal communications related to the association's advocacy efforts. This role is critical in ensuring that the association’s mission, goals, and activities are effectively communicated to members, policymakers, media, and the public.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Advocacy Communications Manager leads the development and execution of the multi-channel communications strategy and plans for the AAOS Office of Government Relations (OGR). Responsibilities include external, internal, and digital communications on health policy and advocacy related to issues impacting musculoskeletal care.

Manages and develops external, internal, and digital communication strategy on health policy and advocacy issues of importance to musculoskeletal care. (75%)

• Manages and leads the development and distribution of external communications including press releases, letters to the editor, op-eds, and fulfilling media inquiries to further OGR objectives and messaging. 
• Leads development of content on advocacy issues for AAOS communication channels and AAOS publications, including Advocacy Now, AAOS Now, Headline News Now, the AAOS website (OGR and PAC section), newsroom, social media platforms, AAOS Annual Report, The Bone Beat Advocacy podcast and other communication vehicles across the enterprise.
• Serves as point person for bi-weekly Advocacy Now newsletter including collecting, writing, and editing content, along with coordinating its production and distribution through HubSpot with support from AMC partners.
• Develops strategic and tactical approaches for communications plans to achieve business and member engagement goals related to the Association, including managing, and executing a content calendar across multiple platforms. This involves writing copy, guiding design, directing production, and deploying tactics, including audience lists, email, online, paid advertising, etc. Provides post-program evaluation for large-scale advocacy communications and PR programs.
• Collaborates and communicates with project/program personnel and stakeholders to successfully market the AAOS Office of Government Relations and other assigned events.
  • Working closely with OGR lobbyists, regulatory staff, and the PAC, identifies opportunities, challenges, or emerging issues related to AAOS legislative and regulatory advocacy and other health policy efforts; leads the communication response; and addresses communications issues as they arise.
  • Plans and executes advocacy campaigns across channels that engage members and stakeholders, and influence public policy, ie Orthopaedic Advocacy Week, National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference, etc.
  • Utilize digital tools and platforms to maximize outreach and impact. Analyze and share results across teams.
  • Reviews congressional one-pagers, talking points, factsheets, OGR promotional material (including Annual Meeting booth design, OGR brochures, advocacy advertisements, etc.), and other background and position papers.
• Assists OGR office staff in various communication support related to updating members about health policy or advocacy updates, i.e., Advocacy Action Alerts, talking points, leadership decks, Annual Report copy, or other collateral necessary.
• Increases visibility of the AAOS advocacy key messages for all relevant stakeholders by identifying innovative communication methods, consistently evaluating existing communications strategies, audience segments and measuring effectiveness of various communications efforts.
• Monitors OGR communications for adherence to AAOS branding guidelines.
• Responsible for AAOS OGR digital content strategy, drafting social media content and web copy, managing AAOS.org with appropriate OGR teams. Creating video, infographics, and other digital content assets as appropriate to meet campaign goals. Works with the AAOS Digital Team to stay ahead of best practices and advise OGR teams accordingly.
• Reviews congressional one-pagers, talking points, and factsheets produced by the OGR. Leads development of OGR communications material (including collateral for Annual Meeting, live advocacy events, and advertisements, etc.)
• Co-manages grassroots (membership-wide) advocacy outreach with OGR program lead and provides best practices for email and newsletter programs/template design, audience targeting and reports out on results. 
• Acts as liaison with integrated marketing and communications teams for counsel and support on enterprise-wide key messages and other strategies.

Develops ongoing relationships with the media and other communication professionals within the advocacy and health policy space to further advance and amplifies AAOS’ position. (15%)

• Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with members of the national media, health trade, science press and other digital health influencers on policy, socioeconomic and advocacy issues.
• Maintains media contacts and updates team about opportunities for placements, both earned or paid.
• Develops relationships with press secretaries and communications directors of members of Congress and regulatory agencies to promote information about musculoskeletal care and AAOS positions and policies of importance to the field.
• Collaborates with other partners in MSK care and interfaces with media at events where appropriate.
• Oversees orthopaedic surgeons and patients as spokespersons in the federal and state health policy arena, coordinating with the Communications Team to ensure messaging and other communications consistently articulates the AAOS mission and further OGR advocacy objectives.
• Monitors media coverage and health policy developments relevant to MSK care.
• Prepares reports for senior management and volunteer leaders as requested.

Conducts two-way communication across Marketing, Communications and Membership teams as a member of a shared-services department to establish relationships and further cross-team collaborations to deliver best-in-class results. (10%)

• Acts as a liaison with AAOS staff across the MCM unit to share best practices, and support for cross-team goal setting, communication efficiencies, updates, and enterprise committee projects/programs.
• Uses data and analytics to track and measure the effectiveness and impact of communication efforts both internally and externally and reports back to teams.
• Conducts MCM team values and shared services model mentality.
• Prepares and provides reports, as necessary.

Exemplifies the following essential values of the Academy:

• Teamwork: Effective collaboration and team-focus to solve complex problems and drive innovation.
• Empowerment: The authority, information, and skills to make decisions and drive results.
• Accountability: Ownership of process and results that drive decisions and ensure implementation.
• Mindset of Growth/Continuous Learning: Focused on and invested in self and staff development to become more adaptable, making the Academy more agile, innovative, and sustainable.

Travel:  

• Up to 12 days per year

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years’ experience, such as handling press and communications for a member of Congress, professional or trade association.
• Keen understanding of federal and regulatory processes and experience with healthcare issues, preferably at another association, coalition, or member-facing entity.
• Ability to quickly grasp healthcare policy issues and communicate them clearly.
• Experience condensing complex issues into compelling digital and social media content.
• Proven history in interacting with national media and trade press.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and human relations skills; editing experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and public presentation skills
• Proficiency in MS Office, MS Teams, social media platforms, Google Analytics, Cision, Sprout Social.
• Strong project management experience and ability to lead multi-channel communications campaigns.
• Familiarity with AP Style
• Familiarity with HubSpot or other content management and website design, graphic or video platforms.
• Exercise considerable independence, innovation, and judgment in handling responsibilities.

Desired:

• Knowledge and experience in drafting both external statements and internal communications on major federal/state health policy issues.
• Advanced degree or graduate level coursework in journalism, health policy, or a related field.

Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000

Join us in shaping AAOS’ success! If this resonates with you, apply today by sharing the following:

-Clearly communicate why you are the ideal candidate for this role, providing specific examples and experiences as proof points.

-Resumes must be accompanied by a cover letter with salary expectations to be considered. 

Please note: 

This hybrid position is based in either Rosemont, Illinois or Washington, D.C. and is open to applicants who are able to commute weekly to one of these offices.

Applicants must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of work visas.

JOB CODE: 1000096