Director, Policy and Research

Staff position, full time, exempt employee

The salary for this position is $110,000 - $140,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Eno also offers a competitive benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

• 80% Employer-funded medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents and 100% Employer-funded long-term and short-term disability and life insurance
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• 5% match on 403(b)/retirement contributions after 1-year of full-time employment. 
• 50% funding of public-transit commuter benefit as well as discounted annual capital bikeshare membership

The position in based in Washington, DC, though remote work flexibility will be considered.

About Eno:

The Eno Center for Transportation is an independent, non-partisan think tank that shapes public debate on critical multimodal transportation issues and builds a network of innovative transportation professionals. The leader in our field for over a century, government and industry leaders rely on Eno for timely research and an independent voice on policy issues. As part of its mission, Eno seeks continuous improvement in transportation and its public and private leadership in order to increase the system’s mobility, safety, and sustainability. Our professional development programs strengthen the leadership and practical skills of transportation professionals across the industry.

Our team consists of fun, diverse professionals in a highly collaborative environment. As an organization, we are committed to fostering personal and professional growth.

About Eno’s Policy Programs:

Eno provides government and industry leaders with expert research, timely analysis, and an independent voice that they can trust. Our policy work centers on understanding the major challenges facing multimodal and national networks in order to develop actionable, pragmatic recommendations for transportation professionals at the federal, state, and local levels in both the public and private sectors. The Policy Analyst’s research will not only involve working in a highly collaborative setting with the Eno team and other research and consulting institutions, but also frequent outreach to industry stakeholders across the country.

Eno uses multiple platforms to disseminate valuable information, including research reports, webinars, videos, and our weekly newsletter, Eno Transportation Weekly. For nearly two decades, Eno Transportation Weekly (ETW) has been the premier federal transportation policy publication for leaders across the country.

About the Director of Policy and Research:

The Director of Policy and Research serves in a leadership role and will be an experienced professional that can independently manage multiple projects, formulate proposals, project concepts, and actionable policy recommendations. They will conduct expert and timely policy research and analysis across a broad spectrum of projects and will be a critical sounding board on Eno work products. The Director of Policy and Research must be skilled in written and verbal communication, adept at public speaking/presenting, able to work across all transportation modes, and represent Eno at a variety of external functions.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Note: This position requires 10% travel, when applicable.

Research and writing (40%)

• Lead Eno policy initiatives, conducting research, analysis, and editing.
• Work with a variety of public- and private-sector databases, construct and manages data files, process, clean, and analyze data.
• Contribute regularly to Eno Transportation Weekly and other Eno publications.
• Work with Eno’s Professional Development Program team to assist with development of education materials and present research findings when needed.
• Work with Eno’s Development and Communications team to assist with the creation of collateral material, publication schedules, and media relations.
• Provide expert and constructive feedback on products written by Eno staff and external contributors.

Project concept generation and management (20%)

• Lead the development of new research concepts, and products.
• Work in alignment with Eno’s Chief of Development to develop fundraising proposals for future projects.
• Identify trends and implications on specific topics across transportation.
• Remain up-to-date on latest policy developments at the federal, state, and local levels in all areas of transportation and with public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Team supervision and personnel management (15%)

• Coach, mentor, and develop policy staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development opportunities
• Manage project contractors.
• Provide performance feedback throughout the year, as well as prepare annual work plans and conduct annual and mid-year performance reviews.
• Consciously contribute to a workplace culture that is consistent with the overall organization’s and that emphasizes Eno’s mission, vision, and values.
• Prepare and manage budget for policy team, provide ongoing financial oversight for team.

External Engagement and Communications (10%)

• Present research and policy findings at Eno-led courses and training sessions and in public meetings, forums, webinars, or via the media.
• Actively participate in planning meetings and listening sessions with partners and clients to develop report themes and content.
• Plan and moderate Eno policy webinars with internal and external partners.

Network Building and Interaction (10%)

• Maintain relationships with policy and research partners, peer staff at government agencies, think tanks, and other organizations.
• Identify opportunities to present and interact with the transportation community both within and outside of Washington.
• Foster Eno’s relationships with transportation stakeholders including agencies, researchers, private practitioners, business, advocacy, labor, and regional coordinating entities.

Professional Growth and Career Development (5%)

• Participate in personal and professional training and development activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban, regional, or transportation planning, economics, public policy, or other relevant fields from an accredited university or college.
• Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• 6+ years of professional work experience in transportation and/or policy-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Knowledge and experience in supervising, leading, and developing team members.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience leading proposal writing and project concept generation.
• Thorough understanding of transportation and public policy.
• Clear interest and enthusiasm in transportation, along with demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of relevant issues.
• Collegial and positive attitude. Must be a team player and collaborate well with others on joint writing assignments and other projects.

Eno’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:

In pursuit of Eno’s vision for a transportation system that fosters economic vitality, social equity, and improved quality of life for all, we commit to embodying and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through the following actions: 

• Cultivating a secure, supportive atmosphere for individual and organizational growth
• Proactively engaging diverse perspectives and fostering open dialogue within our team and network
• Acknowledging and nurturing the unique talents, experiences, and contributions of our team members, while striving for excellence in all that we do

Statement on Vaccination, Testing, and Face Covering

Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, communities, and the nation. Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or legally authorized exemption is required for all Eno Center for Transportation employees, regardless of office location or remote work. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of full vaccination before beginning employment with Eno Center for Transportation. Full vaccination is defined as 2 weeks after the final does of the requisite vaccination.