Director of Governor’s Highway Safety Program

State of North Carolina • Wake County, NC

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) Director provides strategic leadership for North Carolina's statewide efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries through education, enforcement, community partnerships and evidence-based highway safety programs. Reporting to the Deputy State Traffic Engineer for Safety, the Director leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for developing and implementing statewide highway safety strategies; administering state and federal highway safety resources; building strong partnerships with law enforcement, local governments, state and federal agencies, community organizations and other safety stakeholders; and advancing public awareness and engagement around critical highway safety issues. The Director is responsible for setting a clear strategic direction for GHSP and ensuring the organization operates as a collaborative, high-performing team. The successful candidate will be an experienced leader who can translate statewide safety priorities and data into focused strategies, build alignment among diverse partners, strengthen team performance and accountability, and effectively represent NCDOT and its leadership with external audiences. The position oversees major statewide initiatives including Click It or Ticket, Booze It & Lose It, occupant protection, impaired-driving prevention, young-driver safety and other programs designed to change behavior and reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. While knowledge of transportation or highway safety is valuable, this is primarily a leadership, strategy and partnership role. Success requires the ability to lead people, establish priorities, communicate effectively, build coalitions and ensure that technical and programmatic expertise across the GHSP team is translated into measurable safety outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of program experience in the area of assignment, including two years of managerial experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing and directing of operations in the areas of the assigned program(s); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a high‑performing team, including establishing expectations, strengthening accountability, and managing organizational change.
• Experience developing and implementing data‑informed organizational or program strategies, including translating statewide safety priorities into measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive relationships and coalitions with diverse partners such as government agencies, law enforcement, community organizations and public‑sector stakeholders.
• Strong executive-level communication skills, including experience representing an organization to senior leaders, public officials, external partners and public audiences.
• Experience overseeing complex programs or grant portfolios involving multiple partners, significant public resources, and compliance with state and federal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for GHSP and establish clear priorities aligned with statewide highway safety goals.
• Translate data, emerging safety challenges and leadership priorities into actionable strategies, programs and initiatives.
• Regularly evaluate program performance and identify opportunities to strengthen, modernize or redirect efforts to achieve greater impact.
• Ensure GHSP's programs, grants and public-facing initiatives operate as a cohesive statewide strategy rather than as individual activities or campaigns.
• Lead, develop and support the GHSP team, establishing clear expectations, accountability and shared priorities.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture that encourages initiative, communication and continuous improvement.
• Assess organizational needs, clarify roles and responsibilities, develop staff capabilities and ensure resources are aligned with the program's highest priorities.
• Serve as a primary ambassador for NCDOT's highway safety efforts and develop strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies, local governments, federal partners, community organizations, researchers, public health and safety organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent NCDOT and GHSP before external organizations, committees, conferences and public audiences.
• Build coalitions around shared highway safety priorities and identify opportunities for partners to extend the reach and effectiveness of statewide safety efforts.
• Work closely with NCDOT communications professionals and external partners to support effective public education, outreach and behavior-change campaigns.
• Provide executive oversight of state and federal highway safety programs and resources, ensuring investments are aligned with statewide priorities, applicable requirements and measurable outcomes.
• Oversee development and implementation of the state's highway safety program and associated grant investments.
• Ensure appropriate financial management, program evaluation and compliance with state and federal requirements, working closely with GHSP staff who provide specialized technical and grants-management expertise.
• Use performance data and program evaluations to assess effectiveness and inform future funding and program decisions.
• Work closely with the State Traffic Engineer, NCDOT leadership and programs across the department to align behavioral highway safety strategies with broader statewide safety efforts.
• Coordinate with state agencies and other partners to develop comprehensive approaches to emerging highway safety challenges and identify policy, legislative, programmatic or communications opportunities that can reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
• Respond to emerging issues and undertake strategic initiatives at the direction of NCDOT leadership.

Benefits

• The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director