Application Guide

How to Apply for Regional Advocacy Director - Central

at American Families for Vaccines

🏢 About American Families for Vaccines

American Families for Vaccines (AFV) is a national grassroots organization uniquely positioned to defend evidence-based vaccine policy and combat misinformation. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that partners with public health leaders and policymakers to protect communities, making it an ideal place for advocates who want to see real legislative impact.

About This Role

As Regional Advocacy Director for the Central region, you will oversee multiple state chapters, directly managing State Directors to ensure coordinated grassroots advocacy campaigns. This role is critical for scaling AFV's reach, building volunteer capacity, and translating national strategy into on-the-ground wins across several states.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with State Directors to review weekly advocacy metrics and troubleshoot challenges. You'll then spend time analyzing legislative developments in your region, coaching a director on volunteer recruitment, and preparing a report for national leadership on chapter progress. Afternoons often involve coalition calls or developing training materials to standardize processes across chapters.

🎯 Who American Families for Vaccines Is Looking For

  • A seasoned grassroots organizer with 5+ years in advocacy or campaigns, specifically experienced in managing multi-state or regional portfolios.
  • A proven people leader who has directly supervised 2+ staff, with a track record of coaching teams to hit advocacy goals and develop leadership skills.
  • Someone deeply familiar with state legislative processes and coalition engagement, able to navigate diverse political environments in the central US.
  • A strategic thinker who can balance multiple projects, prioritize resources, and maintain consistent communication between national and state levels.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Families for Vaccines

1

Highlight specific examples of managing a multi-state or multi-chapter portfolio, including metrics like number of volunteers mobilized or bills influenced.

2

Showcase your experience with virtual team management, as this role is remote and requires coordinating across time zones.

3

Mention any familiarity with vaccine advocacy or public health campaigns, even if tangential, to demonstrate alignment with AFV's mission.

4

In your resume, use action verbs like 'coached,' 'scaled,' 'coordinated' to describe your supervisory and expansion work.

5

Tailor your cover letter to reference AFV's specific focus on fighting misinformation and defending strong vaccine policy.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your passion for evidence-based public health and combating vaccine misinformation.', 'Detail your experience in grassroots advocacy and people management, with concrete results from past campaigns.', "Explain your familiarity with state legislative processes and how you've built coalitions across diverse stakeholders.", "Show that you understand the balance between national strategy and local autonomy, and how you've maintained consistency across teams."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review AFV's website and recent press releases to understand their current campaigns and legislative priorities.
  • Look up AFV's key partners (e.g., health organizations, provider groups) to see how they collaborate.
  • Research the political landscape of the Central region states (e.g., vaccine mandates, recent bills) to show awareness.
  • Read about AFV's stance on specific vaccine policies to align your answers with their advocacy philosophy.
Visit American Families for Vaccines's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach coaching a State Director who is struggling to meet advocacy goals?
2 Describe a time you managed multiple state or regional campaigns simultaneously. What systems did you use?
3 How do you stay informed about state-level vaccine legislation and misinformation trends?
4 What strategies have you used to recruit and retain volunteers in a politically charged environment?
5 How would you handle a conflict between a state chapter's approach and national advocacy priorities?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid being vague about your supervisory experience; provide specific names of direct reports and their outcomes.
  • Don't underestimate the importance of state-level knowledge; failing to mention specific states or legislative examples can hurt.
  • Avoid sounding partisan; AFV is nonpartisan and focused on evidence, so frame your experience around public health, not politics.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Families for Vaccines!