Director of Public Policy

BusPatrol; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

BusPatrol is seeking a Director of Public Policy and Government Relations in Austin, TX, to lead policy development and coalition building in traffic safety initiatives. Candidates should have 7-10 years of public policy experience, excellent communication skills, and knowledge in transportation, education, or technology. This role will involve researching state laws, drafting legislation, and collaborating with various teams to ensure compliance. A Juris Doctorate or relevant advanced degree is preferred. The position offers a competitive salary between $225,000 and $250,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in public policy or government affairs.
• Experience with transportation, education, or technology-related policy initiatives.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy research and analysis on state laws.
• Draft legislation and provide recommendations.
• Collaborate with internal teams on policy requirements.
• Develop legislative summaries and policy papers.
• Represent BusPatrol at conferences and forums.

Skills

Public policy experience

Government affairs expertise

Strong communication skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Juris Doctorate/law degree or advanced degree in public administration

Job description

Overview

Location:

This role is open to candidates across the United States; however, preference will be given to those based in or near the following metropolitan areas:

• New York City Metro Area
• Boston, MA
• Washington, DC
• Austin, TX or Houston, TX
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles or San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA

BusPatrol is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented professional to join our team as Director of Public Policy and Government Relations. This role is ideal for someone with strong political strategy skills, excellent writing and communication abilities, and deep knowledge of state and local laws. The Director will support policy development, coalition building, and communications strategy to advance traffic safety initiatives through technology. This position plays a critical role in shaping legislation, guiding compliance across our business, and helping advance BusPatrol’s mission of keeping children safe on the journey to and from school.

Responsibilities

• Conduct state-by-state policy research and analysis to identify differences in laws and regulations.
• Draft and support the negotiation of legislation, providing analysis and recommendations to leadership.
• Partner with external contract lobbyists and advocacy partners to advance state-level policy goals.
• Collaborate across internal teams—operations, product, legal, government ops, finance, and implementation—to translate policy requirements into actionable steps.
• Provide subject matter expertise on regulatory and legislative issues impacting growth and compliance.
• Develop briefing materials, legislative summaries, and policy papers to position BusPatrol as a thought leader in traffic safety technology.
• Represent BusPatrol at conferences, policy forums, and industry events; participate in panels and speaking engagements as needed.
• Contribute to the development of communication strategies that support coalition-building and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in public policy, government affairs, or lobbying at the state or large municipal level.
• Demonstrated success advancing policy initiatives in transportation, education, or technology-related areas.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and educate stakeholders.
• Experience with public speaking and media engagement preferred.
• Strong analytical and research skills with attention to detail.
• Highly organized, self‑starter, and problem solver with a passion for child safety, transportation, and public policy.
• A Juris Doctorate/law degree is preferred; however, an advanced degree in public administration or a similar field will be accepted.

Salary

Minimum US Base Salary: USD $225,000.00/Yr.

Maximum US Base Salary: USD $250,000.00/Yr.

EEO Statement

EOE/AA Disability-Veteran