Summary
Description
One of America’s most respected and admired humanitarian dental care organizations seeks an experienced and innovative professional to join our team. We are currently seeking applications for a Director of Affiliate and Government Relations.
Since 1974, Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) has arranged comprehensive dental treatment for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile. Its flagship Donated Dental Services (DDS) program involves more than 12,000 volunteer dentists and 3,400 volunteer dental laboratories who have donated over $525 million in free treatment to more than 173,000 individuals.
The Director of Affiliate & Government Relations is responsible for expanding DLN’s strategic capacity to help more people. To do so, the Director will develop and expand relationships with dental associations, guide the local boards/leadership groups across the country, manage state grant contracts, advocate state agencies and legislatures to maintain and increase government funding for programs. This person will work with leaders of state leadership councils and with dental associations and their lobbyists to build relationships with key state legislators and the Executive branches to maintain and develop additional revenues.
Key Responsibilities
State Affiliate Boards/Leadership Groups
- Lead the creation and expansion of Affiliate Boards/Leadership Groups of Dental Lifeline Network State programs and identify and recruit influential, new and younger members to strengthen resource development.
- Engagement of other senior DLN staff in this process is especially important.
- Supervise management of Affiliate Boards/Leadership Groups including ensuring that staff are prepared to present information to members, distributing board handbooks, preparing program and financial materials for meetings, leading orientation programs for new members, organizing meetings, preparing minutes, and assisting the Presidents/Chairs.
- Ensure that all legal and corporate documents for Affiliates are up-to-date.
- Cultivate and expand relationships with state and local dental associations and organizations in these states that support Dental Lifeline Network.
Government Relations/Fundraising/Contracts
- In concert with leaders of Dental Lifeline Network Affiliate Boards/Leadership Groups and their state dental associations and lobbyists, raise and maintain monies from State governments to support the operations of and development of the organization’s programs.
- Activities include identifying key legislators and strategic partners, developing and implementing state-specific legislative requests; developing collateral materials, including testimony for legislative requests; developing collateral materials, including testimony for legislative hearings and train testifiers as needed; developing and distributing letters of support and materials about the organization’s impact on the lives of their constituents; coordinating grassroots efforts to support activities identified above with advocacy organizations and also help people with disabilities or who are aged or medically fragile.
- Serve as chief liaison with state health departments and/or other appropriate agencies (i.e., developmental disabilities, mental health, etc.).
- Analyze, review, develop and negotiate state contractual agreements.
- Assist with other local fundraising including raffles, individual solicitations, and board campaigns. Coordinate with Vice President of Development on state specific development activities.
Volunteer Recruitment, Retention and Recognition
- Foster development of a robust volunteer culture that will engage a new generation of dentists and laboratories willing to help vulnerable individuals.
- Work with Affiliate Boards/Leadership Groups to energize and support their efforts to recruit volunteer dentists and laboratories including recognition and publicity.
- Coordinate with state dental associations in publicizing program and recognition activities.
- Develop and enhance existing volunteer recruitment activities and efforts.
- Guide Team in efforts to recruit, recognize and retain volunteers.
- Collaborate with Vice Presidents of Programs, Development, and Marketing Communications, to determine volunteer geographical needs, recognize volunteers and encourage more participation.
Financial Management
- Assist in the development of state program budgets and review monthly financial reports.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree required, and preferably an advanced degree. Coursework in nonprofit management is a plus.
- At least 5 years of experience in public affairs/policy or government relations and volunteer management, or related fields.
- Experience in reviewing, negotiating, and managing state contracts.
- Experience managing and supervising a team of professionals.
- Experience with a not-for-profit organization/association.
- Experience advocating or lobbying state legislators a minimum of one legislative cycle.
- Exceptional ability to improve stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Outstanding leadership communication skills to build positive internal and external relationships.
- Understanding of volunteer and financial management.
- Ability to analyze complex policy, political, and legal challenges to identify key/influential legislators and/or members of the Executive branch. Experience in analyzing and negotiating state government contracts.
- Professional and excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to convey the difficulties experienced by special needs populations in accessing dental care.
- Sufficient experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint to produce basic correspondence, proposals, reports, and testimony.
- Travel is required.
