The American Bus Association currently has two positions open to hire.

• Manager, Education and Certification
• Director of Government Relations – Transportation Policy

Manager, Education and Certifications

Please submit your resume or CV and cover letter to Julie Davis.

Job Overview

The American Bus Association (ABA) seeks a strategic and experienced Manager of Education & Certification to lead the design, management, and growth of the association’s education and certification enterprise, while serving as a key partner to ABA’s members in identifying, shaping, and delivering high-value learning for the bus and group travel industry.

This role reports to the Vice President of Membership & Marketing and sits within ABA’s core association segment, responsible for leading the organization’s member-first culture and value proposition. In this capacity, the Manager plays a central role in delivering one of ABA’s most important forms of member value: high-quality, relevant, and practical education.

The Manager owns ABA’s education and certification framework across all member types, councils, and programs, ensuring that learning is cohesive, high-quality, and aligned with both organizational strategy and real-world member needs. The position plays a central role in shaping how ABA delivers professional development, safety training, and operational education across the industry.

As the national trade association for the private bus industry, this role plays a central part in advancing operational excellence through practical, field-informed education and certification programs. Working with the Bus Industry Safety Council and other councils, the Manager helps shape programs that reflect real-world bus operations, maintenance practices, safety management systems, and regulatory compliance. This hands-on role requires regular member engagement and in-person meetings to translate insights from operators, safety leaders, and maintenance professionals into relevant, scalable education and training pathways. Over time, the Manager becomes a trusted resource to members on education, training, and certification.

Success in this position requires the balance of strategic vision and hands-on curiosity: the ability to design enterprise-level education systems for ABA, while also building subject-matter fluency in bus safety and maintenance and driving the development of high-impact content.

This role operates at the intersection of education strategy, member service, safety, events, and advocacy. Working in close partnership with councils, in-person meetings, and the Government Relations team, the Manager ensures that ABA’s education programming reflects current regulatory realities, emerging risks, and best practices, while also driving attendance, revenue, and engagement through year-round and in-person learning.

Reports to: Vice President of Membership & Marketing

Works closely with: ABA Councils, Membership, Meetings & Events, Communications, Advocacy, External Education & LMS Partners

Key Responsibilities

ABA Education & Certification Strategy

Develop and maintain a member-wide education and certification framework serving all ABA member types.

Ensure ABA Certified programs are:

• Modular (e.g., Safety, Maintenance)
• Scalable over time
• Consistent in structure, branding, and renewal requirements

Serve as the central point of accountability for ABA education and certification governance.

ABA Certification Governance

• Own the structure, standards, and lifecycle of all ABA certifications, including:
• ABA Certified – Safety [placeholder example]
• ABA Certified – Maintenance [placeholder example]
• CTIS [this role would look at reviving this previous program]
• Future certification tracks
• Coordinate certification development with relevant councils, industry and association leaders, and subject-matter experts.
• Establish certification requirements, assessment standards, renewal processes, and documentation guidelines.
• Protect the integrity and credibility of the ABA Certified brand.

Council Education Coordination

Partner with all ABA councils to:

• Align council-led education with ABA’s broader learning and certification strategy.
•  Ensure that council expertise is consistently reflected across ABA education offerings.
• Support collaboration and reduce duplication across councils.

Work closely with the Driving Force Council, which plays a central role in shaping ABA’s education strategy and has led the development of educational tracks for Marketplace, as well as with BISC and BusMARC, both of which are essential to advancing safety education for bus operators.

Act as a facilitator and strategic advisor, helping councils translate expertise into structured, scalable education.

In-Person Events & Education Alignment

• Collaborate with the Meetings & Events team to elevate in-person education at ABA events.
• Ensure Marketplace and other ABA meetings align with education and certification pathways.
• Support the intentional design of educational tracks that connect in-person learning to year-round education and certification opportunities.
• Help translate successful in-person education into scalable formats where appropriate.

Learning Platform & LMS Partner Oversight

Oversee ABA’s learning platform strategy, which may be delivered through an external LMS partner.

Work with LMS partners to:

• Define content structure and learning pathways
• Establish access and pricing models for members and non-members
• Maintain quality control, reporting, and member experience standards

Serve as ABA’s internal liaison for LMS-related strategy and governance.

External Education & Training Partnerships

Manage relationships with education and training partners, including:

• Regulatory or standards bodies (e.g., FMCSA where applicable)
• Independent trainers and education providers
• Manufacturers and industry experts

Determine when ABA should curate, license, or partner rather than create content internally.

Member Value & Revenue Alignment

Collaborate with Membership and Marketing teams to:

• Position education and certification as core member benefits
• Support recruitment, retention, and engagement
• Develop sustainable pricing models for certifications and premium education

Ensure offerings remain accessible, particularly for small and emerging members.

Qualifications

• Experience in education strategy, professional development, certification programs, or learning management
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives without direct authority
• Comfort working with volunteer leaders, councils, and external partners
• Excellent organizational, communication, and facilitation skills
• Willingness and ability to travel 25–50% to key events and sales meetings.

Preferred Experience

• Association or nonprofit experience
• Oversight of certification or credentialing programs
• Experience working with LMS vendors or education partners
• Industry education, workforce development, or standards-based training programs

Measures of Success

• ABA educational offerings are clearly organized and easy for members to navigate
• ABA certification programs launch and grow with consistency and credibility
• Councils, especially Driving Force, feel supported and aligned
• In-person education at Marketplace and other events is elevated and strategically aligned
• Education contributes meaningfully to member engagement, value, and revenue
• Programs are financially sustainable (money is made, not lost)

Work Environment & Benefits

ABA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with a hybrid work schedule. This position may be based remotely, with quarterly travel to DC for strategic planning and staff meetings. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier professionals committed to excellence.

The American Bus Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Director of Government Relations – Transportation Policy

Submit your resume or CV and cover letter to Callie Hoyt or apply via LinkedIn.

Job Overview

The American Bus Association (ABA) seeks a strategic and experienced Director of Government Relations to lead federal advocacy efforts focused on transportation policy affecting the bus and group travel industries, while also serving as a primary resource and trusted partner to ABA’s member companies—particularly bus operators navigating complex regulatory and operational environments.

This high-impact role advances ABA’s legislative and regulatory priorities through direct engagement with Congress, federal agencies, and key policy stakeholders, and translates bus companies’ real-world experiences into effective advocacy on Capitol Hill. The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations.

As a member of the Advocacy team, the Director serves as a principal policy advocate and a frontline member-facing leader, executing ABA’s top organizational priority: effective, modern, and member-driven advocacy. The role requires deep subject-matter expertise in surface transportation policy, alongside a strong understanding of bus operations, safety, compliance, workforce challenges, and the day-to-day business realities facing motorcoach companies.

This position operates at the intersection of transportation policy, business policy, and member service. The Director regularly engages with bus operators in the field, attends regional and state bus association meetings, and represents ABA directly to member companies. The role also works closely with the Bus Industry Safety Council, helping drive progress on safety priorities and ensuring member perspectives inform ABA’s federal advocacy. Over time, this position becomes a “first call” resource for members on regulatory and compliance matters, particularly related to FMCSA and federal safety policy.

Success in this role depends on the ability to bridge Washington and the industry—combining political acumen, policy expertise, and business IQ to translate member challenges into legislative and regulatory action, and to translate federal policy back into practical guidance for the industry.

This is a critical role for a professional who can move seamlessly between Capitol Hill and the bus industry, building trust with national leaders, regulators, and ABA’s membership while delivering disciplined, results-oriented advocacy.

Reports to: Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations

Works closely with: ABA Councils, Membership, Meetings & Events, Communications, Marketing, and the Foundation

Key Responsibilities

Federal Advocacy & Policy Leadership

• Manage a comprehensive transportation and safety policy portfolio while leading ABA’s engagement with Congress, federal agencies (e.g., USDOT and modal administrations, DHS, Commerce, Treasury, and other relevant agencies), and stakeholder partners.
• Develop and execute federal advocacy strategies in coordination with the SVP to advance ABA’s legislative and regulatory priorities, including surface transportation reauthorization, safety, workforce development, regulatory reform, and broader economic policy issues impacting passenger transportation.
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate legislative and regulatory developments affecting the motorcoach and group travel industry, using legislative tracking systems, data platforms, and policy analytics to enhance responsiveness and decision-making.

Stakeholder & Member Engagement

• Support growth and engagement of ABA’s Political Action Committee (BusPAC) and contribute to launching and supporting the Bus Caucus on Capitol Hill.
• Collaborate with the Membership Department to engage members in advocacy efforts and leverage advocacy initiatives, policy outcomes, and digital engagement tools to support member recruitment, retention, and value delivery.
• Provide staff support to ABA councils as needed.
• Support planning and execution of ABA advocacy fly-ins, policy briefings, and member-facing advocacy events, incorporating technology-enabled outreach, scheduling, and engagement tools to improve efficiency and reach.

Coalitions, Compliance & Organizational Leadership

• Represent ABA in industry coalitions, state association meetings, and national transportation and economic policy forums.
• Support cross-functional advocacy campaigns, including initiatives related to transportation, safety, workforce, human trafficking prevention, and regulatory reform, utilizing digital platforms and coordinated messaging tools to enhance campaign effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with all lobbying and ethics regulations.
• Coordinate with SVP on advocacy priorities and reporting, using CRM systems, dashboards, and workflow tools to track outcomes and demonstrate advocacy impact.
• Travel approximately 25–35% of the time.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in government relations, public policy, legislative and regulatory affairs, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in transportation policy.
• Proven success lobbying Congress or federal agencies and delivering legislative or regulatory outcomes.
• Strong understanding of federal transportation programs and policy frameworks, and business-related regulatory issues affecting passenger transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic advocacy campaigns, manage competing priorities, and operate efficiently in high-demand environments.
• Proficiency in using technology, digital tools, and data systems to enhance productivity, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and reporting.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues for diverse audiences.
• Experience working with PACs, coalitions, or member-based advocacy organizations preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, transportation, economics, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Strategic, policy-oriented thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset, able to work independently, take initiative, and effectively partner with colleagues across departments to advance shared advocacy and organizational goals.
• Ability to leverage technology, data, and digital tools—including advocacy platforms, CRM systems, legislative tracking software, and AI-enabled tools—to maximize productivity and advocacy effectiveness.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build and sustain relationships across government, industry, and coalition partners.
• Strong legislative strategy, negotiation, and issue-framing capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple initiatives, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced policy environment.
• Commitment to ABA’s mission and the advancement of transportation and economic policy priorities.

Measures of Success

• ABA achieves meaningful legislative and regulatory outcomes that advance the interests of the bus and group travel industry across key federal priorities, including safety, workforce, and regulatory reform.
• The Director becomes a trusted, first-call resource for ABA member companies on federal regulatory and compliance matters, particularly related to FMCSA and safety policy.
• Member engagement in advocacy increases, reflected in the growth of BusPAC participation, fly-in attendance, grassroots activity, and integration of advocacy into membership value.
• ABA’s advocacy positions are consistently informed by real-world bus operator experience, with effective translation of member challenges into Capitol Hill strategy and policy action.
• ABA’s relationships with Congress, federal agencies, coalitions, and industry partners strengthen over time, resulting in increased influence, credibility, and visibility for the association.

Work Environment & Benefits

ABA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with a hybrid work schedule. This position may be based remotely, with quarterly travel to DC for strategic planning and staff meetings. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier professionals committed to excellence.

The American Bus Association is an equal opportunity employer.