Community Affairs and Local Government Principal

About Via

Via is using technology to transform transportation around the world. From changing a single person’s daily commute to reducing humanity’s collective environmental footprint, we’ve got huge goals.

Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems—optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe.

Building the world’s most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers—including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations—Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car and reduce environmental impact.

At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 650 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.

Ready to join the ride?

About the Role

As a Community Engagement Principal/Community Affairs and Local Government Principal, you will lead Via’s efforts with our transit agency and city partners to engage in local communities across the United States. The Community Engagement team works with a variety of local stakeholders to ensure that our products and services are inclusive and meet the needs of all riders, including the most vulnerable ones. As the lead of the Community Engagement team, you will set strategy and priorities for community outreach at Via, execute high-priority community engagement efforts with partners, and work to continuously improve outreach processes.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and manage the community engagement strategy for Via, working with the leadership team to determine overall priorities for community engagement and the resources required to achieve the team’s goals. This will include leading members of the Community Engagement team and helping to build the function’s staffing and capabilities over time.
• Build relationships with community organizations and local leaders to increase awareness of Via’s services in their communities and solicit input by meeting with community stakeholders and attending community events, leading educational sessions and trainings, and creating engagement materials. 25-50% travel is required for this role.
• Engage with local elected officials to understand community needs and engage their constituents.
• Engage with riders and develop programs for continued education to ensure community members understand and take advantage of all service offerings.
• Create targeted marketing content aimed at educating community members on service offerings.
• Serve as the main point of contact regarding community engagement for our partners/clients, helping them proactively identify and address community barriers and concerns.
• Manage feedback for product development, ensuring that our engineering team is getting the feedback they need to build the best product possible to meet the needs of our riders.
• Collaborate closely with key Via business teams including Partnerships, Rider Growth, Launch, and Operations to ensure the voice of the rider is heard and we’re building inclusive marketing strategies to reach diverse audiences.

Who You Are

• Highly organized and effective at managing multiple workstreams simultaneously and comfortable taking on high levels of responsibility.
• A strategic thinker and day-to-day executor who can juggle several issues at once; you’re able to effectively consider and solve both short and long-term problems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; you’re capable of working with and influencing stakeholders at all levels, all while exhibiting a knack for always finding the right tone.
• Problem solver; you don’t accept the status quo and are always looking for creative solutions.
• Meticulous and vigilant, with a high level of attention to detail.
• A natural leader; you strike a balance of empathy and motivation, and lead your team toward continuous improvement.
• Have a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Able to travel as the business needs require (approximately 25% of the time).
• Fluency in other languages is a plus.
• Design experience is a plus (PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign, Canva, etc.).

Compensation and Benefits

• Final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills. Salary reflected does not include equity or variable pay, where applicable.
• Salary Range: $120,000-$160,000.
• We are proud to offer a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including free medical plans and 401K matching.

Learn more here