Director of Expansion

Job description

Via is using technology to transform public transportation around the world. From changing a single person’s daily commute to reducing humanity’s collective environmental footprint — we’ve got huge goals. Via is hiring a **Director of Expansion** to lead part of our North American launch pipeline. This is a significant leadership role: you will start out by directly managing a launch portfolio and a team of Launch Managers. You will sit at the intersection of operational strategy and execution, launching a growing pipeline of new, complex services across markets. For each launch, you and your team lead a transit network transformation; taking full ownership of the technology and operational transition, service performance, partner relationships, and a 30+ person frontline team of local managers, operations staff, and drivers. You will be building new operational systems from the ground up, not just managing existing ones. The decisions you make here will shape how the market runs for years. This is a unique leadership opportunity for anyone who is eager to lead a high performing team and launch high-stakes, high-visibility, and high-impact new markets at Via. The role is excellent for a generalist looking for a leadership role in strategy, operations and product/technology. *This role requires a willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.* **What You’ll Do:** **Leadership & people management** - Lead, coach, and develop a team set clear expectations, cadence, and accountability - Build leadership depth: hire, promote, and performance-manage talent - Foster a culture of success, operational excellence, and partner trust across the expansion team **Launch & performance ownership** - Own a portfolio of new launches, ensuring each service is launched on time meeting partner expectations and internal KPIs - Provide strategic oversight on launch quality, ensuring KPIs spanning on-time performance, rider satisfaction, safety and cost efficiency - Define processes to continuously improve technology implementation and operational launches **Partner & stakeholder management** - Serve as a senior operational counterpart to agency leadership on high-stakes launches - Build trust through thoughtful change management, transparent performance reporting, proactive communication, and credible remediation when service misses occur - Navigate complex regulatory and contractual environments **Cross-functional leadership** - Partner with Operational, Commercial, Legal, Product and Finance teams to ensure high-quality execution of launch portfolio - Provide guidance on product roadmap priorities based on launch and front-line observations **Who You Are:** - Proven experience in a leadership role and a minimum 10+ years of experience, ideally with a combination of consulting and operating experience - An operator’s mindset, balancing high-level strategy with hands-on execution, readily diving into the weeds to unblock complex launch bottlenecks - Track record leading high-growth or transformation environments—scaling teams, launching new lines of business, or integrating acquisitions/service expansions - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of working with and influencing stakeholders at all levels - Analytical and problem-solving skills, you don’t accept the status quo and are always looking for creative solutions - Strong comfort working in a fast paced environment, operating in ambiguity, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and taking on responsibility - Hold a Bachelor’s Degree with a record of exceptional academic and professional achievement (MBA preferred) **Compensation and Benefits:** - Final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills. Salary reflected does not include equity or variable pay, where applicable - Salary Range: $180-$220k / year + attractive RSU package - We are proud to offer a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including free medical plans and 401K matching There has never been a more exciting time to be on the cutting edge of public mobility. Ready to join the ride? *Via is an equal opportunity employer.*