Director of Strategic Partnerships (Government Affairs)

Director of Strategic Partnerships (Government Affairs)

Glydways is reimagining what public transit can be. We believe that mobility is the gateway to opportunity—connecting people to housing, education, employment, commerce, and care. By making transportation more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, we empower communities to thrive and unlock economic and social prosperity. Our mission is to revolutionize transit with a solution that delivers high capacity, exceptional user experiences, unmatched affordability, and minimal environmental impact. The Glydways system is a groundbreaking network of carbon-neutral, interconnected transit pathways powered by standardized autonomous vehicles on dedicated roadways. Operating 24 / 7 with on-demand access, it offers personalized and efficient mobility—without the burden of heavy upfront infrastructure costs or ongoing taxpayer subsidies. With Glydways, we’re building more than a transportation system; we’re creating a future where everyone, everywhere, has the freedom to move.

The Opportunity :

Glydways is seeking an experienced and politically astute Director of Strategic Partnerships to lead our funding strategy for a portfolio of projects. This high-profile role sits on the Government Affairs team and will work closely with cross-functional partners in Project Delivery, Solutions Engineering and Marketing. In this role, you will play a central role in advancing one of the nation’s most innovative public transportation initiatives.

This role will be responsible for driving Glydways’ approach to securing and leveraging public funding across local, state and federal levels to enable deployment of our projects. This role ensures that Glydways projects are positioned to maximize competitive grants, formula funding, and innovative financing opportunities while aligning with agency priorities and broader mobility policy goals. You will be the primary liaison to government stakeholders and funding partners, responsible for building support, advancing project visibility, and securing local, state, and federal funding. You will collaborate closely with the Project Delivery and Technical teams to ensure the project is aligned with strategic policy, funding, and stakeholder objectives. You will serve as a connector between government affairs and project delivery, ensuring external partnerships align with project timelines, siting requirements, and community engagement objectives.

Roles & Responsibilities

Funding Landscape Assessment : Track, analyze and prioritize relevant transportation, infrastructure, climate and economic development funding opportunities. Maintain a forward-looking calendar of grant programs, legislative appropriations, local and regional plans and discretionary funding programs aligned with Glydways projects and priorities.

Grant and Funding Strategy : Lead the development of funding strategies for project portfolio, ensuring alignment with local, regional and state mobility priorities. Partner with internal teams and external consultants to produce high-quality applications and funding packages. Ensure Glydways technology and project outcomes are framed to meet program evaluation criteria.

Stakeholder & Government Engagement : Build and maintain relationships with funding agencies, grant administrators and policymakers to position Glydways projects favorably. Design and execute engagement strategies that cultivate political and institutional support at the local, regional, and state level to secure endorsements including letters of support. Coordinate letters of support and alignment with planning and policy priorities. Represent Glydways at public meetings, policy briefings, and interagency working groups. Draft and deliver presentations, memos, and talking points for elected officials, staff, and community partners.

Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with Project Delivery to ensure alignment with company objectives and project timelines. Collaborate with Communications and Community Engagement on messaging and outreach. Partner with Legal to navigate regulatory and administrative processes relevant to funding and approvals.

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in government affairs, transportation policy, or infrastructure funding, with strong understanding of the California and federal policy environment.

Proven success leading public sector engagement and / or funding initiatives for complex transportation, infrastructure, or urban development projects.

Exceptional political judgment, interpersonal skills, and written / verbal communication.

Deep familiarity with local Bay Area institutions and stakeholders is preferred.

Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally across internal departments and with external partners.

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, urban planning, or a related field; Master’s degree or JD preferred.

Preferred Skills and Attributes

Strong understanding of public funding programs (DOT, FTA, state climate and mobility funds, regional transportation programs)

Proven success in securing competitive public funding

Ability to navigate political and bureaucratic funding processes at local, state and federal levels

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary

Equity options

Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) plan

Flexible work schedule and generous PTO

Opportunity to work on one of the region’s most transformative transportation projects

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment in California is expected to be $200,000-$242,000 USD plus stock options, commensurate with experience. Glydways provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Location : San Jose, CA

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