Director of Business Development - Public Transit

Remote | Full-Time | $120K-$150k

About Downtowner

Downtowner powers modern mobility systems in communities across the U.S.—from small towns to large cities. We specialize in flexible transportation services (microtransit, fixed-route, and flex-route) and partner closely with governments to design, launch, and manage high-quality transit systems.

Our award-winning programs move millions of riders and are redefining how public transit works.

About the Role

Downtowner is seeking a Director of Business Development who will own and grow relationships with our public-sector partners—cities, transit agencies, and municipalities. You’ll ensure our existing transit operations are successful, strategically guide program enhancements, and lead efforts to expand existing business and win new contracts through thoughtful proposal submissions.

This is not a cold-start sales role. It’s a strategic growth and relationship leadership position—focused on serving current clients, driving expansion, and managing launch and performance excellence. If you have experience navigating procurement, managing partnerships in the public transit space, and ensuring operational execution, we’d love to talk.

What You’ll Do

Client Relationship & Performance Leadership

• Serve as the primary strategic contact for a portfolio of government clients, retaining trust and ensuring we exceed performance expectations
• Manage regular reporting and advisory communications, translating service data into actionable recommendations
• Lead strategic conversations around KPIs, operational challenges, and long-term transit goals

Program Launch Support

• Ensure new contracts and service expansions launch smoothly, on time, and aligned with client expectations
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure scope, staffing, and technical setup meet all contractual and community needs
• Manage launch communications, timelines, and stakeholder readiness

Strategic Growth & Expansion

• Identify and shape opportunities to expand existing programs, including added vehicles, new zones, or service model changes
• Present expansion opportunities to partners, complete with scope, pricing, and performance rationale

Proposal & RFP Development

• Lead the development of competitive, high-quality RFP submissions in coordination with internal teams
• Build operational budgets for current and future programs
• Serve as the project manager for proposal timelines and submission processes.
• Drive improvements to the ever-evolving public procurement process

Industry Engagement

• Represent Downtowner at industry conferences and stakeholder meetings (e.g. APTA, CTAA, state DOT events)
• Stay current on transit funding opportunities, state/local priorities, and mobility policy trends

What We’re Looking For

Required

• 3+ years experience in public transit, mobility services, civic tech, or government-facing business development
• Strong record of managing strategic partnerships or large public-sector accounts
• Ability to lead client conversations using data and performance metrics
• Demonstrated ownership of multi-stakeholder project execution (e.g. launches, program pivots)
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and articulate complex mobility technology
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and proposal management tools
• Strong budgeting skills

Preferred

• Direct experience writing or managing responses to RFPs, RFIs, or government solicitations
• Deep understanding of federal, state, and local funding programs (e.g. FTA formula grants)
• Background in transit operations or planning

Compensation & Benefits

• $120,000 to $150,000, with higher compensation for strong candidates
• Performance-based bonus plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible PTO and remote work
• Professional development opportunities
• A collaborative, mission-driven team building the future of transit

Why This Role Matters

This position is essential to Downtowner’s growth and impact. You will be the bridge between what we deliver today and what our public partners aspire to build tomorrow. From launching new services to expanding critical transportation access, you will shape the evolution of transit in communities across the country.

Why Join Downtowner?

If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape the future of public transportation, work directly with cities and agencies, and lead mission-critical initiatives, we want to hear from you. Even if your background doesn’t perfectly match every qualification, we encourage you to apply.