Planning and Business Development Manager

CityBus•Lafayette, IN

3d•$65,000 - $72,000

About The Position

CityBus is seeking a strategic, community minded leader to guide service planning, public engagement, and business development for a growing transit system. This role shapes the agency’s long term service vision, strengthens partnerships across the region, and leads high visibility initiatives that improve mobility and enhance the customer experience. The ideal candidate brings a blend of analytical skill, relationship building, and public facing leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Urban Studies, Public Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination may include progressively responsible experience in planning, public engagement, business development, or transit operations.
At least five years of professional experience in planning, business development, or a related field.
Must meet agency standards for motor vehicle licensing, drug screening, and background clearance.
Strong communication, analytical, and relationship building skills.
Ability to operate with independence, sound judgment, and alignment with executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs and regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strategic relationships with local governments, regional agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, major employers, business associations, advocacy groups, funding partners, and state and federal representatives to advance agency priorities.
Represent the agency as a visible and credible leader in the community, supporting the CEO at public meetings, events, and partner engagements while effectively communicating the organization’s mission, performance, and impact.
Identify, cultivate, and formalize partnerships that expand mobility options, strengthen service delivery, increase ridership, and support long‑term business development goals.
Monitor legislative, regulatory, and community trends affecting public transit and proactively position the agency to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges with strategic insight and sound judgment.
Operate with a high degree of independence, initiative, and professionalism while maintaining strong alignment with executive leadership and organizational objectives.
Lead public and stakeholder engagement for service, fare, and capital changes, analyze input, and present clear findings to executives.
Manage agency performance measurement, data collection, and dashboard reporting to evaluate ridership, service productivity, customer experience, and operational effectiveness.
Ensure compliance with federal and state transit requirements, including FTA reporting (Title VI, NTD) and documentation supporting grants, safety standards, and emergency readiness.
Identify opportunities to expand equitable mobility access and improve service integration across modes.
Identify and communicate service improvement opportunities through data analysis, community feedback, and industry best practices to support strategic decision‑making.
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and professional development to the department, ensuring high‑quality data analysis, regulatory compliance, and consistent performance standards.
Promote a positive, accountable, and mission‑driven workplace culture by modeling professionalism, collaboration, innovation, and clear communication across departments.
Strengthen organizational capacity through structured feedback, skill development, succession planning, and cross‑department engagement that helps employees understand their role in achieving agency goals.
Manage core personnel functions for the team, including scheduling, payroll tracking, timecard review, leave administration, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes in coordination with Human Resources.