The American Bus Association currently has one position open.

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.