Sr. Strategic Advisor, Impact Areas -- AARP

Job Description Job Title: Sr. Strategic Advisor, Impact Areas Location: District of Columbia Business Unit Description Foundation We’re millions of members strong–with more joining us every day– the largest and “most powerful grassroots organization” around, according to Fortune magazine. In fact, our commitment and collective strength enables us to serve and support a broad and diverse membership as well as embrace our own workplace diversity. Here’s your chance to take action in Washington, DC and throughout the US! AARP Foundation's many groundbreaking and innovative services help us achieve our vision and fulfill our mission - a country free of poverty, where no older person feels vulnerable. Services include job training and placement to enable 50+ workers to rejoin the workforce, money management programs that enable them to remain independent, connections to benefit programs that help to alleviate hunger and creative solutions to housing challenges. Summary Statement The Strategic Advisor for Thought Leadership serves as a catalyst for the design, development and implementation of high-impact programs addressing hunger, income, housing and isolation among the 50+ vulnerable population. The Advisor reports to the SVP for Impact Area Programs, and in concert with the SVP for Impact Area Programs plays a key role in the AARP Foundation’s efforts to maintain and expand its position as a thought leader in the focus areas of Hunger, Income, Housing and Isolation. Work is closely aligned with AARP’s goals to “… lead as a nationally recognized thought leader, trusted resource, and advocate for social change, shaping and transforming society to effectively respond to demographic, cultural, and economic shifts,” with an emphasis on the low income 50+ vulnerable population. The Strategic Advisor is responsible for defining and communicating the “vulnerability landscape,” and for developing an overall structure and framework of issues and challenges facing each vulnerability. Based on those assessments and findings, the Advisor is responsible for defining the interactions and information (e.g. money, services, in-kind and human resources, etc.) needed by all stakeholders in order to effectively implement a given solution. Working closely with the VPs for each Impact Area, helps to deliver the highest quality research and thinking to key external and internal audiences on topics of current and/or future relevance to them. Works closely with AARP’s integrated communications group and supports brand positioning. Accesses and/or initiates extensive research into national public and private efforts to intervene in problems of hunger, income, housing and isolation, shares that information appropriately, and works across impact area programs to keep the AARP Foundation smart about issues that are on the horizon and not currently a focus of the organization. Helps key external audiences, Impact Area stakeholders, and staff to envision the future and understand and address business issues and opportunities in all its different forms (e.g., publications, speeches, etc.). Plays a key role supporting and in some cases leading this effort. Models collaboration and knowledge sharing and the attributes required of a learning organization. Responsibilities 1. At the direction of, and working closely with the SVP for Impact Area Programs, helps organize symposia/meetings/ workshops of external and internal thought leaders and subject matter experts around the Impact Area issues. 2. Conducts interviews with subject matter experts (both internally and externally) on complex issues facing each of the impact areas. 3. Writes/drafts, commissions, and/or project-manages research, whitepapers, speeches, talking points, presentations, book chapters, web content and op-ed articles 4. Does extensive, broad research into national public and private efforts to address issues of hunger, income, housing and isolation, categorizing what approaches and programs have worked well and which have not. Studies and analyzes program successes against financial and human resources used; seeks to develop a strong list of best practices that can be considered for Foundation programs. 5. With guidance on strategy and timing from the SVP for Impact Program Areas, works closely with the Director of Communications, initiates blog/use of other social media on issues relevant to the agenda. 6. Participates in brainstorming sessions externally and internally with thought leaders and subject matter experts. Shares results/consensus of those meetings with the SVP for Impact Area Programs on a routine basis. 7. Participates in conferences or speaking engagements of relevance to various Impact Area challenges organized by others. 8. Contributes to establishing long-term, highly visible partnerships and lasting relationships with thought leaders of companies, non-profit organizations, academics, media, entertainment fields, and other organizations that have insights into potential solutions to challenges facing the target population while providing direct value to impact area strategies. Keeps the SVP for Impact Area Programs and VPs for program areas regularly apprized of new approaches, resources and ideas in these fields. 9. Demonstrates ‘One AARP” attributes and behaviors in all interactions. Requirements Completion of a Master’s degree (MBA preferred) and 5-plus years experience in Strategy Consulting required. Candidates with advanced degrees and/or significant experience in business consulting, journalism, public policy, sociology, market research or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to the duties of the position may be considered. Superb research, interview, writing, and public speaking skills required. Appropriate candidates will have a deep familiarity with AARP’s strategic issues, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to develop content on a wide range of topics. Prior experience managing outside vendors and partner organizations is preferred. Prior experience working in complex, matrixed organization where success was the result of influence without authority is a plus. Must be highly organized and have a demonstrated ability to think in a process-oriented and systematic way. Requires some travel, primarily in the United States. Benefits Offered AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values workplace diversity.