Director, Transportation Public Outreach

Southwest Strategies Group•San Jose, CA

17d•$125,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

We’re excited to offer a $7,500 sign-on bonus to welcome you to our team! Southwest Strategies Group is seeking a full-time Director to support transportation and infrastructure public outreach and communications to join our team. This senior-level role is responsible for leading transportation client accounts, guiding project outreach strategy, and supporting business development. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to clients, working in person with clients onsite and leading and managing complex communication initiatives with the support of team members. This position requires strong experience in public outreach, infrastructure communications and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, results-driven leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution. About Southwest Strategies Group Southwest Strategies Group is focused on building leaders in our industry and community. With more than 130 professionals from diverse backgrounds and experience, our team is uniquely positioned to communicate with stakeholders where they are in a way they understand. We approach every project as a trusted partner, leveraging decades of expertise to provide custom strategies that help our clients get results. Location and Travel: This position is primarily based at a client site in San Jose, with an expected onsite presence of approximately 4 days per week, subject to change based on client needs and availability. The role may also involve early mornings, evenings and weekend hours, as needed. Travel is required up to 30% of the time. Additional travel may arise to accommodate project demands, company needs and conference participation. Compensation: The annual base amount for this position is dependent on several factors, including the candidate’s geographic location, experience, and qualifications. The annual base amount may be adjusted based on market conditions in the location where the employee resides. A typical annual base range for this role is: $125,000– $175,000 (actual compensation may vary by location and will follow local regulations).

Requirements

7+ years of relevant experience in transportation public outreach, public affairs or a related field
5+ years of public outreach or public affairs agency experience or a combination of agency and in-house experience with a transportation agency or utility
Bachelor’s degree in a related field
Proven experience managing complex projects, client accounts and teams
Experience managing both retainer and hourly billable projects
Demonstrated experience supporting transportation infrastructure projects
Strong project management, communication and client relationship skills
Experience supervising multiple staff members and participating in regular performance review cycles
Willingness to support projects across verticals as business needs require
Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed
Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time

Responsibilities

Support project budgeting, invoicing and cost forecasting for assigned transportation clients
Lead client interactions independently and serve as a primary point of contact
Oversee project timelines, deliverables and budgets to ensure work is completed on time and within scope
Develop and manage strategic communication programs, including community relations, public outreach, public affairs, media relations, social media and executive positioning
Review client materials such as fact sheets, maps, eblasts, presentations and press releases to ensure quality and accuracy
Build and maintain strong relationships with transportation agency staff, consultants, contractors and community stakeholders
Maintain knowledge of transportation industry trends, policy issues, and outreach best practices
Translate complex technical transportation information into clear, accessible messaging for diverse audiences
Support transportation projects across planning, design, environmental review, construction, and operations phases
Manage multilingual and culturally responsive public outreach efforts, including engagement with traditionally underserved communities
Supervise, mentor and coach Managers and junior staff through regular check-ins, feedback, and performance reviews
Support proposal development for transportation-related pursuits, including strategy development and interview preparation
Participate in networking events, professional associations and business development activities
Contribute to internal professional development efforts and knowledge sharing
Collaborate across SWS Group to support integrated client solutions
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

Competitive salary with clear paths for growth
Hybrid work model to support flexibility and work-life balance
Comprehensive benefits , including a no-cost medical plan, dental, vision, FSA, 3 weeks PTO, 14 paid holidays, and 401(k) profit sharing
Professional development stipend and internal training programs to boost your skills and career
Company wellness stipend for ClassPass to support your health and well-being
Mentorship from experienced professionals to guide your growth
Work on impactful projects that shape the future of our communities
Opportunities to connect with some of the region’s most influential stakeholders
Company events and celebrations to recognize, support, and bring our team together
Employee recognition program celebrating achievements and contributions