Now Hiring: Policy Director

Sep 12

Position Title: Policy Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Salaried Exempt, Full-time

Location: This hybrid position has at least 3 days required in-office. The number of in-office days is subject to change. Our office is in downtown San Jose near San Pedro Square and less than a mile from Diridon Station. This role also requires being out in the field some evenings and weekends.

About Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1993 that seeks to build healthy and just communities. We’re proud of the extraordinary impact we’ve had over the past 30 years to improve local infrastructure and normalize bicycling for transportation in San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties. And we’re excited about how much more we can do to solve challenging local and global issues through the humble bicycle. SVBC stands among peer organizations in the nine Bay Area counties as one of the largest bike coalitions in North America. See our strategic plan to better understand SVBC’s vision, strategy, and priorities.

You’ll join a team of approximately 12 core & 15+ ad hoc staff members who are passionate about getting more people on bikes safely. We invest a great deal of time in strengthening relationships and building a high-trust environment where feedback in all directions is welcomed as opportunities to learn. The organization is a non-profit with a start-up culture that values creative problem-solving, open communication, and a can-do attitude. We approach a work-life balance structure by piloting innovative programs (e.g., summer Fridays and others).

It is also important to highlight that we are a group of folks deeply committed to doing one of the most difficult things on the planet – to get people out of cars and onto bikes to solve some of society’s most intractable problems. If you’d like to join a team to build better communities through the humble bicycle, we want to bring you on and continue investing in building a team that can do great things together.

Position Summary

The Policy Director will lead the advocacy team to grow community and local government support for safe streets and bike infrastructure, while deepening SVBC’s commitment to an inclusive bike movement centered on economic and racial justice. This role advances SVBC’s goal of making biking the easiest way to get around—by creating connected communities and bike networks designed for people, not cars.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Policy Director works with SVBC’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors to guide and advance the organization’s advocacy strategy.

SVBC’s long-standing community organizing approach involves training city-based local teams (groups of passionate volunteers) to run and lead campaigns. The Policy Director will play a key role in evolving our local team framework to align with SVBC’s organizational goals and campaign priorities.

The Policy Director also oversees SVBC’s broader policy footprint, which includes cross-jurisdictional, countywide, and regional advocacy. Responsibilities include but are not limited to representing SVBC’s perspective in key policy spaces, managing complex government contracts, and cultivating public and private partnerships.

Key priorities for the team include expanding SVBC’s influence in San Mateo County, updating our policy agenda, and identifying opportunities to build a more inclusive bike movement. Through these efforts, the Policy Director ensures SVBC’s advocacy is equity-centered, locally grounded, regionally impactful, and financially sustainable.

Minimum Requirements

Deep passion for biking and SVBC’s mission to create healthy, equitable, and just communities.
At least five years of experience in transportation advocacy and policy, with familiarity of San Francisco Bay Area transportation policies and awareness of regional and state-level developments.
Proven experience leading campaigns and navigating complex public policy processes.
Background in community organizing or managing volunteer teams around a specific cause.
Demonstrated success in securing and managing complex government contracts.
Strong people management skills, with the ability to inspire staff and volunteers to achieve ambitious goals collaboratively and enthusiastically.
Experience building inclusive coalitions and fostering diverse participation, welcoming people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, economic statuses, and sexual orientations.
An advanced degree in urban planning, political science, public policy, environmental policy, public administration, or a related field. Education requirement may be substituted for the relevant professional experience.

Specifically, the person in this role would:

Grow SVBC’s Influence & Thought Leadership (25%)

Shape Transportation Policy: Position the organization as a thought leader in transportation policy and planning, with a focus on active transportation, bicycling, and safe streets.
Represent SVBC in key policy arenas, in coalitions, at industry conferences, committees, working groups, and with media media outlets:
Translate complex information into clear action alerts, blog posts, memos/brief, and talking points for volunteer advocates and to win political support for SVBC’s goals.
Identify policy research and advocacy opportunities; remain current in transportation research trends, policies, regulations, and best practices.
Manage SVBC’s support of projects, plans and coalition sign-on letters.
Build the power of the bike movement with active, diverse residents creating change in their local communities through SVBC’s local team model. Create necessary systems to effectively evolve our local team framework.
Influence Regional Decision-Making: Ensure that the interests of SVBC, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County residents are well-represented at regional decision-making bodies (Caltrain, BART, VTA, Samtrans, Caltrans D4, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, etc.) to bolster strong policy and funding support for bike-friendly communities at all levels of government.

Lead SVBC’s Campaign Strategy (40%)

Oversee our policy campaigns: Win support for protected bike lanes, transit enhancements, safe crossings, and affordable housing along El Camino Real – our region’s highest injury corridor. Advance our goals for Vision Zero, bike share, micromobility, and efforts to build bike-friendly communities in equity priority areas.
Plan Flagship Events: Organize the Silicon Valley Bike Summit, our annual convening of active transportation leaders in the area.
Build Partnerships & Secure Funding: Cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, and government partners to sustain and grow advocacy efforts.

Advocacy Team Management (20%)

Manage a team of advocacy staff, providing guidance, training, support, and professional development.
Oversee team workplan, contracts, budgets, and deliverables to ensure organizational goals are met.
Recruit and onboard additional staff or consultants as needed.
Provide systems, tools, and strategies to optimize community organizing and campaigns.

Organizational Leadership (15%)

Work closely with the Executive Director, SVBC Leadership, and Policy Advisory Committee to shape the organization’s policy agenda and strategic direction.
Partner with Programs and Development teams to ensure cohesive, cross-departmental initiatives.
With support from the ED and Advocacy Team, track advocacy grant opportunities and support proposal writing, grant reporting, and invoicing.

Who We’re Looking For:

Strategic Visionary: You have a proven track record of leading successful policy campaigns from inception to implementation, particularly in the realms of active transportation, safe streets, and mobility justice.
Community-Centric Leader: You are adept at building and nurturing grassroots movements, empowering diverse communities to take ownership of transportation advocacy through inclusive and culturally responsive organizing.
Collaborative Partner: You excel in fostering cross-sector partnerships, working effectively with government agencies, community-based organizations, corporate partners, and other stakeholders to advance shared transportation goals.
Policy Expert: You possess deep knowledge of multi-modal transportation policies at the local, regional, and state levels, with the ability to navigate complex policy landscapes and influence decision-making processes.
Operational Excellence: You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring the timely and effective execution of advocacy initiatives.
Nonprofit Savvy: Adept at navigating the challenges and opportunities within nonprofit operations and lifecycles.
Effective Communicator: You have exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Equity Champion: You are committed to advancing racial and social equity in transportation, actively working to dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusive mobility solutions.
Results-Oriented: You are driven by outcomes, consistently achieving measurable impacts in policy change, community engagement, and organizational growth.

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary is $100,000-120,000, depending on experience. SVBC offers a competitive benefits package including professional development, work-life balance, PTO, health, dental, and vision insurance, and 401k with employer match.

SVBC is committed to providing an open, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory environment for all individuals across differences of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, socio-economic status, ethnicity, physical ability, or medical condition.

How to Apply

Send a compelling cover letter and resume, saved in PDF Format, to jobs@bikesiliconvalley.org. Please include "Policy Director, [YOUR NAME]" in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing this application, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to the public and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact a management representative.

SVBC is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

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Core Competencies

Reliability: Excellent attendance and punctuality, and ability to set and meet deadlines. Reliable and trusted source of knowledge and updates on policy issues. Meets regularly with all direct reports to ensure each member has the support, guidance, and information needed.
Productivity: Highly organized and detail-oriented. Able to track and execute on important information from a variety of sources. Able to manage time effectively, identify priorities among competing demands, coach staff, and bring projects to timely completion.
Relationship Building: Ability to build and sustain relationships with external partners for strategic alliances, organizational growth, and development. Proficient at negotiation, partnership management, and leveraging networks to drive growth and innovation to help strengthen the organization's reputation, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Communication Skills: Fluently presents or discusses any advocacy-related work with internal and external partners with ease. Strong public speaking skills to articulate messages persuasively, engage diverse audiences, and inspire action and awareness. Provides necessary guidance to the team on their communication skills.
Teamwork and collaboration: Ensures inter- and intra-department teamwork and alignment on meeting strategic goals. Advises the Executive Director on issues related to staff culture and morale.
Creativity and Innovation: Displays "outside the box" thinking in creating solutions and solving problems. Is receptive to fresh and out-of-the-box ideas of the team, can brainstorm practicality and execution of the same. Uses imaginative thinking to help the organization grow. Participates in networking and other local nonprofit events and keeps current with best practices and innovations in advocacy.
Flexibility and adaptability: Prioritizes, considers alternatives, and responds quickly and thoughtfully to unexpected changes. Provides necessary direction to the team that fosters productivity and innovation in dynamic work environments.
Leadership: Guides and inspires the team through their workstyle and accomplishments, and fosters a constant learning mindset. Designs and implements training for all team members, works with ED on org-wide professional development. Acknowledges employees publicly for their work and can guide the team on professional development opportunities. Can motivate everyone to do their best and keep the team moving forward.
Project Management: Can organize tasks and people to get things done on time and within budget. Makes sure everyone knows what they need to do and when. Keeps projects running smoothly and achieves goals successfully.
Emotional Intelligence: Provides mentorship and direction during times of change and upheaval. Seen as a trusted source for navigating interpersonal conflict. Displays maturity and sensitivity in all interactions. Able to facilitate conflict resolution with team members without any bias.
Racial Equity and Inclusion: Actively encourages diversity and inclusiveness within the team, is accepting of divergent viewpoints, and ensures all voices are heard. Plans org-wide DEI training and ongoing conversations with ED to implement initiatives that align with the SVBC values and strategic plan.