The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is seeking a Policy Director to lead its advocacy team in building community and local government support for safe streets and bike infrastructure, with a focus on fostering an inclusive bike movement that emphasizes economic and racial justice. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Policy Director will work closely with SVBC’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors to advance the organization’s advocacy strategy and ensure that biking becomes the easiest mode of transportation. This role involves evolving SVBC’s community organizing framework, overseeing broader policy initiatives across various jurisdictions, and representing SVBC in key policy discussions while managing government contracts and partnerships.
About Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) is a non-profit membership-based organization founded in 1993 that seeks to build healthy and just communities. They are proud of the extraordinary impact they have had over the past 30 years in improving local infrastructure and normalizing bicycling for transportation in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Additionally, they are excited about the potential to address 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. Their strategic plan provides further insight into SVBC’s vision, strategy, and priorities.
Responsibilities
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 outlets:
Translate complex information into clear action alerts, blog posts, memos/briefs, 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.
Qualifications
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.
Compensation
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.
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.
