Advocacy Coordinator

Company Overview

We are the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), an innovative professional medical association located in Darien, IL, a southwest suburb of Chicago. Established in 1975, the AASM is the only professional society in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. Our mission is to advance sleep care and enhance sleep health to improve lives. We represent a combined membership of over 11,000 accredited member sleep centers and individual members, including physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals who specialize in the sleep field. In pursuit of improving sleep health and promoting high-quality patient-centered care for all people, the AASM is dedicated to fostering a culture that is committed to excellence, inclusive, flexible, collaborative, appreciative, supportive, and innovative. Our staff connects to these team values in many ways, and we are looking for others who would like to experience the same. 

We value the benefits of work/life balance through a hybrid work environment. As part of  onboarding and training, this position will work in the Darien office on Wednesdays for the first month. While regular office presence is not regularly required, we strongly encourage our employees to work in the office two days a week, with Wednesday as an anchor day to strengthen our collaborative and supportive culture. Managers (with direct reports) are required to work in the office on the anchor day. Generally, twice a year for two consecutive days, all employees report to the office for special staff meetings/functions. As a result, only local candidates will be considered for this position. 

Job Summary 

The Advocacy department supports our mission by advocating on legislative and regulatory issues important to our members. Our team is growing! As the Advocacy Coordinator, you will assist the Manager in the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans through day-to-day communications, administrative advocacy activities, and advocacy program support.The ideal candidate is passionate about policymaking, possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, and has strong organizational skills.  

Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000 commensurate with experience. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

• Attain a deep understanding of our organizational policies, advocacy goals, and industry priorities in the legislative space to support department deliverables.
• Keep a pulse on legislative and regulatory changes that could shape the future of sleep medicine, sharing actionable insights with key stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary contact for member and external advocacy communications, supporting engagement and awareness.
• Maintain the member advocacy database 
• Support impactful advocacy efforts by planning, coordinating, and attending visits to Capitol Hill, state legislatures, and in-district meetings with elected officials.
• Craft compelling content—whether it’s a persuasive letter, engaging social post, or detailed report—that informs and inspires diverse audiences.
• Empower our members to take action through education, resources, and tools for effective communication with policymakers.
• Drive collaboration as a staff liaison by supporting committees, organizing meetings, and preparing written materials (minutes, reports, etc).
• Keep advocacy at the forefront by monitoring media for breaking news and ensuring timely, relevant updates to members and stakeholders.
• Enjoy a mix of office-based work and travel (about 10%, including some weekends) as you help us bring our advocacy initiatives to life.

Qualifications and Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in advocacy, government, public health, or consulting.
• Solid understanding of health policy and legislative processes at state and federal levels.
• Exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Strong collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships.
• Organized multitasker with proven project management experience.
• Tech-savvy with proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems.
• Creative problem-solver with sound judgment and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with a proactive, motivated approach to challenges.

Bonus Skills 

• Experience in a medical or healthcare association
• Experience using software systems for government relations or advocacy 

The AASM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Aside from the great job opportunity, we offer a collaborative and fun work culture with amazing benefits. Visit "Working at AASM" for a glimpse of AASM work life. 

• Affordable medical & dental coverage for you and your family
• Free life & disability insurance
• 3 weeks of PTO (personal/vacation/sick time) plus paid company holidays
• 8 weeks PAID parental leave
• Flex-time hours
• Business casual environment
• Generous 401(k) plan
• Flexible spending & dependent care accounts
• Health savings account with generous employer contributions
• Professional development assistance
• Pet insurance
• Theft ID coverage
• Discounted fitness membership
• Door Dash meal perks
• Service recognition and peer-to-peer platform with reward points redeemable for gift cards or charitable donations
• Weekly “Wellness Wednesdays” with walk, stretch, and healthy snack breaks
• Twice daily “plank breaks”
• Seasonal staff events