Community Engagement Manager

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.

Overview

At HopSkipDrive, community is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community, both within our organization and externally, to ensure the safety and efficiency of the rides we provide to our valued community members. To further advance this mission, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Community Engagement Manager to join our Legal and Policy team.

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Government Relations, you will be responsible for building and growing community relationships to execute state and local policy initiatives effectively. The Community Engagement Manager will be a key part of HopSkipDrives's government affairs engagement strategy and achieving public policy advancements nationwide. 

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Government Relations Manager to execute engagement plans for state and local issues. 
• Help to create and enact a community engagement strategy that will support HopSkipDrive’s legislative initiatives
• Represent the company in meetings with caregivers, CareDrivers, and local stakeholders.
• Work with teams across HopSkipDrive to build or modify programs that enhance HopSkipDrive’s reputation.
• Build coalitions of supporters by creating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. This includes non-profits, school liaisons, local and state administrators, social equity leaders, education, foster care, and homeless youth advocates.
• Create scalable rapid response and long-term grassroots engagement strategies at the local, and state levels
• Organize community events, such as community meetings, roundtables, outreach sessions, and meetups to further HopSkipDrive’s government relations goals
• Recruit and prepare activists who will advocate for HopSkipDrive in meetings and hearings with lawmakers, regulators as well as local media
• Draft letters and op-eds to highlight the needs of HopSkipDrive users

Experience and Skills: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, communications, business, or relative experience
• 5-7+ years experience with state and local policy, government relations or political campaigns (field organizer/director, event manager, or advance team member)
• Charismatic in-person presence and exceptional communication skills 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to develop strategic advocacy plans and advance several engagement initiatives simultaneously 
• Strong persuasive writing skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience recruiting and remotely organizing campaign volunteers
• Knowledge of best-in-class ground organizing tactics
• Impeccable event organization skills
• Passionate commitment to the HopSkipDrive mission and community  

 ** This role will be fully remote based in one of the following states: AZ, FL, CA, KS, MO, NC, NM, SC, TN, TX **

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 $95,000 - $115,000. 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.