Application Guide

How to Apply for Regional Advocacy Director - West

at American Families for Vaccines

🏢 About American Families for Vaccines

American Families for Vaccines (AFV) is a national grassroots organization leading the pro-vaccine movement, defending evidence-based public health policies, and combating misinformation. As a mission-driven nonprofit, AFV offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on vaccine advocacy across the U.S., working with a dedicated team of state chapters and national leaders.

About This Role

As Regional Advocacy Director for the West, you will oversee a portfolio of state chapters, ensuring strong grassroots advocacy and campaign execution. You will directly supervise State Directors, drive expansion into new states, and serve as a key link between national leadership and regional teams, making this a high-impact leadership role.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a check-in call with State Directors to review progress on advocacy campaigns and address challenges. You’d then analyze regional metrics, prepare reports for national leadership, and spend time on strategic planning for chapter expansion, including outreach to potential new state leads. Afternoons often involve coaching sessions with directors, cross-functional meetings with the advocacy team, and reviewing legislative updates relevant to your region.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Families for Vaccines Is Looking For

  • Proven experience (5+ years) in grassroots advocacy, community organizing, or political campaigns, with a track record of mobilizing volunteers and achieving advocacy goals.
  • At least 2 years of direct people management, including coaching, performance management, and leadership development of remote teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, with strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Deep commitment to evidence-based public health and vaccine advocacy, comfortable working in a politically charged environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Families for Vaccines

1

Highlight specific examples of managing multi-state or multi-region grassroots campaigns, including metrics like volunteer growth or legislative wins.

2

Quantify your people management experience: specify number of direct reports, how you developed them, and outcomes achieved.

3

Show your understanding of vaccine policy and public health by referencing current issues (e.g., vaccine mandates, misinformation) in your cover letter.

4

Demonstrate remote work effectiveness: mention tools and strategies you use to manage distributed teams and maintain communication.

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize advocacy strategy development, not just execution—show you can design plans and scale them.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Passion for vaccine advocacy and alignment with AFV’s mission to defend pro-vaccine policies and combat misinformation.', 'Leadership experience: specific examples of managing teams, coaching directors, and driving performance in a distributed environment.', 'Strategic thinking: ability to identify new chapter opportunities and scale grassroots efforts across a region.', 'Communication skills: experience bridging national strategy with local execution, ensuring consistency in systems and messaging.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AFV’s website and recent press releases to understand their current campaigns, priorities, and stance on key vaccine policy issues.
  • → Look up AFV’s state chapters in the West region (e.g., California, Oregon, Washington) to understand their structure and recent activities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with major vaccine misinformation narratives and AFV’s counter-strategies, as this is central to their work.
  • → Research AFV’s leadership team, especially the National Advocacy Director, to understand their background and leadership style.
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💬 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 underperforming in meeting grassroots goals?
2 Describe a time you had to manage competing priorities across multiple states or regions. How did you prioritize?
3 What strategies have you used to expand grassroots advocacy into new communities or states?
4 How do you stay up-to-date on vaccine policy and public health debates, and how would you incorporate that into state chapter strategies?
5 Give an example of how you’ve fostered consistency in processes across a team or region while allowing for local adaptation.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don’t submit a generic cover letter—failing to mention vaccine advocacy or AFV’s mission shows lack of interest.
  • Avoid vague descriptions of management experience; be specific about team size, coaching methods, and results.
  • Don’t overlook the remote aspect—failing to demonstrate experience with remote team management or communication tools can be a dealbreaker.

📅 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!

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