Public Policy Manager, State and Local

Lyft; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Mental health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off (holidays & PTO)

18 weeks parental leave

Subsidized commuter benefits

Lyft credits

Lyft Pink membership

Job summary

Lyft, based in San Francisco, seeks an experienced Public Policy Manager to lead California local policy efforts. This role partners with officials, policymakers, and community groups to align Lyft’s business needs with evolving policy landscapes.

The role requires building relationships across government bodies and cross-functional teams to shape public engagement plans and policy priorities in key California markets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of political and/or government affairs experience.
• Experience directly lobbying elected officials and/or government officials on complex regulatory issues.
• Strong understanding of municipal and county policymaking.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).
• Existing relationships with local policymakers and the ability to build deep relationships.

Responsibilities

• Execute Lyft's legislative, regulatory, and political strategy across major local markets in California, with a primary focus on San Francisco/Bay Area, LA/Greater LA and San Diego.
• Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with strategic local groups and nonprofits leveraging Lyft's programs.
• Travel to attend local community and industry events as needed.
• Collaborate with business, communications and marketing teams to highlight Lyft partnerships and engagements.
• Draft comments, talking points, and memos for senior Lyft executives.
• Track legislation relevant to Lyft at municipal and county levels and inform stakeholders.

Skills

Public policy

Lobbying / government affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

Lyft is looking for an experienced Public Policy Manager to join our Policy Team! Based in San Francisco, this position will manage local-level policy efforts in California. This policy expert will work directly with elected officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders at all levels of local government. They will engage with a broad range of regulatory and legislative issues critical to the company, ensuring Lyft's business needs align with evolving policy landscapes. Come join the exciting ride!

Responsibilities

• Execute Lyft's legislative, regulatory, and political strategy across major local markets in California, with a primary focus on San Francisco/Bay Area (SFO), Los Angeles/Greater Los Angeles (LAX) and San Diego (SAN)
• Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with strategic local third party and business groups, local nonprofits and community organizations leveraging Lyft's internal programs and product offerings, in key markets.
• Travel to attend local community and industry events as needed.
• Work closely with business, communications and marketing teams to highlight relevant Lyft partnerships, capture key moments, strategize Lyft's engagement with large events (e.g., LA28, Super Bowl, etc.), and leverage relationships for business opportunities.
• Represent Lyft in interactions with elected officials, government agencies, staff, and business groups including drafting and providing testimony in legislative and regulatory hearings and traveling to attend political events and fundraisers as needed.
• Track legislation relevant to Lyft at municipal and county levels and inform company stakeholders and lines of business on legislative and regulatory developments.
• Develop strategic public engagement plans positioning Lyft as a "Force for Good" and reliable thought partner to city and state officials and third party groups in key markets; while identifying other markets where Lyft's public engagement could advance Lyft's legislative and political strategy.
• Oversee local budget and work cross-functionally with Lyft senior management on developing public policy priorities.
• Mobilize supporters and activists to show their support during key legislative moments and/or ballot measures.
• Collaborate with Lyft's Legal, Compliance, Communications, Campaigns, Social Impact and Operations teams to align market strategies with regulatory and legislative developments.
• Manage external consultants to assist with key Lyft policy priorities.
• Draft comments, talking points, and memos for senior Lyft executives.
• Track and respond to business groups and government inquiries and requests on policy issues.

Experience

• 5+ years of political and/or government affairs experience
• Experience directly lobbying elected officials and/or government officials on complex regulatory issues
• Strong understanding of municipal and county policymaking
• Exceptional strategic and problem-solving skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and demanding environment
• Proven self-starter with experience leading and winning on complex policy issues
• Natural connector and relationship builder
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) - you know how to tell a good story and advocate your position
• Existing relationships and the ability to create deep relationships with local policymakers
• Experience managing and collaborating with external consultants and lobbyists
• Strong understanding of municipal policymaking
• Knowledge of transportation and mobility policy
• Willingness to travel across multiple markets as needed
• Experience planning and executing stakeholder-facing events, including community engagement initiatives
• Lyft user / believer

Benefits

• Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• Child care and pet benefits
• 401(k) plan with company match to help save for your future
• In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have discretionary paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible
• Subsidized commuter benefits
• Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership

Lyft is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with appli