Senior Public Engagement Manager - Education

Who we are

HopSkipDrive’s mission is to create opportunity for all through mobility. Our innovative, supplemental school transportation solutions are used by over 600 school districts, charter schools, nonprofits, government agencies, as well as busy families to safely and reliably get kids where they need to go.

Student transportation is the largest mass transit system in the U.S. The way kids get to and from school has a direct impact on our kids, families, schools and communities. While school districts spend $28 billion annually on transportation, only 30% of kids get to school on a bus. The current system can no longer meet all the transportation needs of our districts, schools and families — and its shortcomings are causing inequities in educational access that are affecting the welfare of millions of kids each day.

HopSkipDrive is taking a different approach to arranging safe, reliable school transportation that meets needs that aren’t being addressed by the current system, helping to fill gaps and supplement the student transportation options available. We create personalized transportation solutions for the one to the many, and everything in between.

We’re a company with heartOur partnerships with school districts, child welfare agencies and nonprofits ensure equitable educational access for the most vulnerable populations, including youth in foster care, children experiencing homelessness and students with disabilities. 

We understand that the difference between struggle and success can sometimes be as simple as the ability to show up, which is why we’re on a mission to use innovative technology — coupled with operational expertise and new ways of thinking — to help kids reach their full potential by providing a safe, dependable way to get them where they are going.

We’re an awesome place to workOur company culture has been well-recognized — HopSkipDrive has been named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, as well as Best Places to Work lists from Built In LA, Comparably, Inc., and the Los Angeles Business Journal. Comparably also named us a Best Company for Professional Development, as well as to its Best CEO and Best CEOs for Women lists.

We’re growing rapidlyFounded by three moms as a solution to their own transportation challenges, we now operate across over 13 states across the country. We continue to expand at a rapid pace, making the Inc. 5000 list four times, as well as the Deloitte 500 Fast-Growing Technology list. HopSkipDrive has raised $100M in funding to date.

As Sr. Public Engagement Manager - Education, under the supervision of the Senior Director of Government Relations, you will be the expert in K-12 education policy, particularly as it relates to student transportation.  You will know and understand existing and emerging policy frameworks impacting K-12 education, particularly relating to access to transportation for underserved students including those experiencing homelessness, students with special needs, youth involved in the child welfare system, and chronically absent students.

Using your knowledge and expertise in K-12 education policy, you will build productive relationships with key state education officials, track emerging education policy changes that may relate to transportation, and work to identify legislative and regulatory opportunities in specified existing and expansion markets to help increase access to opportunity for all.  This role will also be tasked with engaging key child welfare agencies, organizations, and contacts to build relationships, understand their challenges, and partner to identify solutions.  

What We’re Looking For:

• 8+ years in government relations, education policy, regulatory affairs, or legal field
• Relevant advanced degree (JD, MA, MPP) preferred but not required
• Expert in K-12 education policy, with a comprehensive understanding of student transportation/access issues
• Experience with the legislative and regulatory process, including rulemaking at regulatory agencies
• Proven ability to build relationships with stakeholders and identify policy-related opportunities that will further HopSkipDrive’s mission 
• Proven ability to research and analyze statutes and regulations with diligence and attention to detail
• Ability to manage one’s projects, as well as be able to guide those who contribute to a project
• Track record of using professional concepts to resolve complex issues in creative ways for effective results
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to serve as the public face of HopSkipDrive to policymakers and governmental contacts in each market
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to develop strategic policy plans and advance a number of policy initiatives simultaneously 
• Ability to keep a finger on the pulse of fast-moving K-12 policy changes in existing and new markets, identify trends, and translate the impacts of a policy on the Company
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

 ** This role will be fully remote in one of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI**

What you will get

We want you to be an owner in our company and share in executing our vision, so every full-time employee has equity.  In addition, we offer  flexible vacation, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 401(k), FSA, and an opportunity to work for a uniquely positioned, VC-backed company in a hugely attractive space with significant upside potential. HopSkipDrive is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base salary range for this role is $125,000- $145,000. This compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is filled. Final compensation for this role will be determined by several factors such as a candidate’s relevant work experience, skill set, certifications, and specific work location. The total compensation package for this role also includes equity stock options.