Manager, Federal Advocacy (Healthcare Policy)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager, Federal Advocacy serves as a key advocate for the American Occupational Therapy Association's federal legislative and healthcare policy priorities before the U.S. Congress, coalition partners, and external stakeholders. This role leads and executes high-impact federal advocacy strategies focused primarily on Medicare, healthcare policy, and congressional engagement while helping strengthen AOTA's bipartisan relationships and political influence. Operating with a high level of autonomy and judgment, the Manager is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with Congressional offices, monitoring and influencing federal legislation, advancing AOTPAC engagement efforts, and representing AOTA in external advocacy and coalition settings. The role requires an experienced healthcare policy professional who can independently navigate complex political environments, influence stakeholders, and identify strategic advocacy opportunities aligned with AOTA's mission and federal priorities. This position requires registration as a federal lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), POSITION

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Monitor, analyze, and interpret federal legislative activity related to Medicare, healthcare policy, disability policy, mental health and related federal priorities impacting occupational therapy. Develop and execute strategic advocacy and lobbying efforts to advance AOTA's federal legislative priorities before Congress and relevant federal agencies. Independently cultivate and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, coalition partners, and key external stakeholders. Represent AOTA in meetings on Capitol Hill, coalition activities, advocacy events, PAC-related functions, conferences, and other external engagements. Partner in the development and execution of bipartisan advocacy strategies, including targeted relationship-building efforts across both Democratic and Republican offices. Support AOTPAC engagement activities and contribute to political relationship management efforts aligned with organizational advocacy priorities. Draft and review legislative materials including policy briefs, testimony, advocacy alerts, talking points, coalition communications, and member-facing updates. Identify emerging legislative and political trends, assess potential organizational impact, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership. Collaborate closely with internal teams including State Affairs, Practice, Communications, and Membership to align federal advocacy efforts with broader organizational priorities and member engagement strategies. Support grassroots advocacy and member mobilization initiatives designed to strengthen federal engagement and policy influence, including supporting AOTA's in-person Hill Day. Serve as a strategic thought partner within the Government Affairs team, contributing to advocacy planning, stakeholder engagement strategies, and long-term federal policy positioning. Attend key organizational and industry events including INSPIRE, specialty conferences, Capitol Hill meetings, coalition events, and other advocacy-related activities throughout the year. Perform other duties as assigned.