Project Director

California Department of Motor Vehicles; California (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Motor Vehicles seeks a Career Executive Assignment – Project Director for REAL ID to lead statewide policy development, guide high‑visibility programs, and represent California in national conversations that impact millions of residents. This role blends public policy with innovation and intergovernmental collaboration.

As C.E.A. Project Director for REAL ID, you will oversee policy delivery, coordinate with the Governor’s Office and DHS, steer the Digital Experience

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide REAL ID policy development and present major recommendations to leadership.
• Advise on REAL ID and S2S, coordinating with Governor’s Office and DHS.
• Influence national REAL ID direction with DHS and federal partners.
• Oversee communications to ensure clear REAL ID information for stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership for the DXP Driver License and ID Modernization program.
• Align enterprise modernization with DMV priorities to support DXP.
• Represent DMV at AAMVA and lead internal REAL ID/S2S working groups.
• Make operational decisions, mitigate risks, and brief executives regularly.
• Deliver presentations shaping statewide strategy and decision-making.

Job description

This position is located at DMV Headquarters in Sacramento.

Career Executive Assignment – Project Director for REAL ID

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is recruiting a driven, forward‑thinking executive to lead one of the state’s most influential identity and modernization initiatives. As the C.E.A Project Director for REAL ID, you will shape statewide policy, guide high‑visibility programs, and represent California in national conversations that impact millions of residents. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic leader who thrives at the crossroads of public policy, innovation, and intergovernmental collaboration.

Key Leadership Areas

• Lead statewide REAL ID policy development and deliver major recommendations to executive leadership and steering committees.
• Serve as the primary advisor on REAL ID and S2S, coordinating directly with the Governor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Influence national REAL ID direction through engagement with DHS and federal partners.
• Oversee communications and outreach efforts to ensure stakeholders and the public receive clear, proactive REAL ID information.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Digital Experience Platform (DXP) Driver License and ID Modernization program, partnering with enterprise teams and vendor integrators.
• Support the DXP Project Director to align enterprise modernization with DMV priorities.
• Represent the DMV at AAMVA and lead REAL ID/S2S internal working groups across departments and external partners.
• Make operational decisions, resolve risks, escal... critical issues, and keep executive leadership informed through regular briefings.
• Deliver compelling presentations that shape statewide strategy and executive decision‑making.

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