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Cancer Advocacy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Cancer Advocacy information

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$19.5K

$80.5K

$168K

How much do cancer advocacy jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for cancer advocacy in the United States is $80,473.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $97,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cancer advocacy?

A Cancer Advocacy job involves supporting cancer patients, survivors, and their families by providing resources, raising awareness, and influencing policies to improve cancer care. Advocates work with healthcare providers, nonprofits, and government agencies to promote patient rights and access to treatment. They may offer emotional support, help navigate the healthcare system, or campaign for funding and research advancements. This role can be volunteer-based or professional, depending on the organization.

What are the most common responsibilities in a cancer advocacy role?

Cancer Advocacy professionals frequently assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, connect them with support services, and help interpret complex medical information. Advocates also work to influence public health policies, organize educational events, and collaborate with healthcare providers, non-profits, and governmental organizations. Much of the role involves direct communication with patients and families to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. The position often requires adaptability as daily tasks can range from individual support to community outreach and policy-related activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a cancer advocacy position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Cancer Advocacy, you need a solid understanding of cancer-related healthcare, patient rights, and public policy, often supported by a background in health sciences, social work, or public health. Familiarity with healthcare regulations, advocacy management platforms, and patient support resources is frequently required, and some professionals pursue certifications in patient advocacy or healthcare navigation. Exceptional communication, empathy, and organizational skills help advocates build trust and effectively support individuals and families facing cancer. These competencies are critical for influencing policies, providing accurate guidance, and ensuring patients' needs are represented and addressed.

More about Cancer Advocacy jobs

What cities are hiring for Cancer Advocacy jobs?

Cities with the most Cancer Advocacy job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Cancer Advocacy jobs?

The most popular types of Cancer Advocacy jobs are:

What states have the most Cancer Advocacy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Cancer Advocacy jobs include:

Infographic showing various Cancer Advocacy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 3% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,473 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


American Cancer Society rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

166th of 783 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The Vice President, Regional Advocacy is a senior leader responsible for driving legislative and regulatory progress across approximately 25 states and developing and overseeing a high-performing team of 60+ advocacy professionals. This role leads strategic efforts to secure evidence-based state and local legislative wins, defend patient protections, and support federal campaigns. The position also plays a critical role in external relations, volunteer engagement, and donor development, ensuring grassroots power and philanthropic support are aligned with the organization's mission to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity. This role develops, plans, and manages a budget for regions and state operations. The Vice President, Regional Advocacy serves on the organization's Senior Leadership team (SLT).Develops and manages budget for organization. Senior Vice President, State & Local Advocacy plays a unique role in driving organizational priorities and plays a key connective role with OneACS colleagues Enterprise-wide. This position serves on the organization's senior leadership team. The position also plays a role in external relations, volunteer engagement, and donor support, ensuring grassroots power and philanthropic support are aligned with the organization's mission to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity.

**This is a remote role**
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership & Legislative Impact (40%)

  • Develops and executes a multi-state advocacy strategy to achieve legislative wins, policy defense, and state and regulatory engagement.
  • Aligns state teams with federal priorities and works with both federal and state and local campaigns' team to ensure cohesive national impact.
  • Leads rapid response efforts to emerging legislative threats or opportunities.
  • Provides timely and regular updates to executive leadership on regional advocacy impact.
  • Ensures collaborative planning and execution of federal, state and local campaigns.

Team Management & Development (30%)

  • Oversees a regional advocacy team of 60+ team members across approximately 25 states, including regional Managing Directors, state Government Relations Directors, Grassroots (volunteer) Managers, and operations roles.
  • Has overall responsibility and accountability for hiring within the region.
  • Develops, plans and has accountability for regional and state budgets.
  • Ensures state advocacy positions align with organizational policy.
  • Fosters a culture of collaboration, trust, accountability, inclusion, and innovation within the team.
  • Provides coaching, professional development, and performance management to ensure excellence.
  • Tracks legislative progress, campaign metrics, and team performance to meet goals.
  • Ensures compliance with lobbying regulations and internal policies.

Volunteer Engagement & Mobilization (10%)

  • Partners with grassroots teams to expand and activate volunteer networks in respective states.
  • Supports the development of training programs, recognition initiatives, and storytelling platforms that elevate patient voices.
  • Ensures volunteer engagement strategies are integrated into legislative campaigns.
  • Drives successful volunteer fundraising.

Development & External Relations (10%)

  • Works closely with ACS and internal functions to ensure alignment on mission, policy trends, and political dynamics.
  • Represents the organization in coalitions, conferences, and public forums.
  • Collaborates with development teams to cultivate relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
  • Represents advocacy priorities in donor meetings, events, and communications.
  • Identifies opportunities to align advocacy wins with fundraising strategies and impact reporting.

Senior Leadership Team (10%)

  • Executes organizational responsibility and leadership on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
  • Provides a broad perspective on organizational issues, surfaces and vets ideas, and aligns on how best to advance ACS CAN's mission priorities.
  • Engages in cross-functional planning for ACS CAN, the ACS CAN Board, and high-level organizational messaging.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, law, or related field (Advanced degree(s) is preferred).
  • Minimum 15+ years of experience in government relations, advocacy, or public affairs, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
  • Proven success in leading multi-state legislative campaigns and managing large, geographically distributed teams.
  • Experience in volunteer engagement and donor relations within a mission-driven organization.
  • Experience with high-level stakeholder engagement across advocacy and other organizations.
  • Deep understanding of state legislative processes and healthcare policy, with strong experience collaborating with state health policymakers and advocacy leaders.
  • Willingness to travel frequently across regions for team support, legislative meetings, and stakeholder engagement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

  • Passion for improving cancer patient policy outcomes and advancing health equity through the legislative and regulatory process.
  • Experience in grassroots organizing and community engagement.
  • Experience with budget management and external vendor oversight.
  • Ability to navigate politically sensitive environments with discretion and empathy.
  • Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in advocacy and leadership.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • This position may require travel up to 30%, including overnight and occasional weekend travel, primarily within assigned regions to support legislative campaigns, attend strategic meetings, and engage with stakeholders.
  • Periodic travel to national conferences or headquarters may also be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to travel by car, train, or plane as needed.

The starting rate is $190,000 to $220,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.


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