About NACTO

NACTO is a nonprofit association of around 100 major North American cities and transit agencies (and counting), formed to exchange transportation ideas, insights, and practices and cooperatively approach national transportation issues. Our members include cities such as Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Houston, and transit agencies such as LA Metro and Chicago Transit Authority. Our mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life. Our staff team is passionate, outcomes-oriented, and committed to challenging the status quo in transportation and raising the bar for city streets. Our values include transformative vision, mobility justice, collective action, meaningful impact, public leadership, and integrity.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is NACTO’s chief staff executive. Reporting to and serving as staff liaison to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the organization’s programs, policy work, member relations, and finances, in service of NACTO’s mission and the priorities set by its member cities and transit agencies.

Reports To: NACTO Board of Directors

Location: New York City preferred, or ability to travel easily and regularly into New York City

Compensation: $190,000—$220,000

Key Responsibilities

  • Give direction and leadership toward achievement of NACTO’s mission and its annual goals and objectives.
  • Work with the Board and staff to develop and implement policies, procedures, and long-range strategic plans.
  • Report regularly to the Board on progress toward organizational goals and policies.
  • Oversee administrative, financial, and program operations, and all personnel matters, including the design of the staff organizational structure.
  • Prepare the annual budget and administer it following Board approval.
  • Negotiate contracts and ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Pursue and secure diversified revenue through a variety of fundraising mechanisms, consistent with NACTO’s mission.
  • Maintain close working relationships with NACTO’s member cities and transit agencies and their representatives.
  • Build and sustain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners across the transportation policy arena, including federal, state, and local government and peer organizations.
  • In consultation with the Board President, hire, supervise, evaluate, and set compensation for NACTO staff (other than the Executive Director), within budgetary limits set by the Board; may delegate this authority to one or more staff.
  • Hold financial signing authority for the organization, including checks, drafts, notes, and other payment instruments.
  • Serve as a primary spokesperson for NACTO with members, media, funders, and policymakers.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (public policy, urban planning, public administration, or nonprofit management)
  • 15+ years of progressively responsible professional experience; 5+ years in senior leadership
  • Senior leadership experience in transportation, transit, urban planning in government/public sector (e.g., federal agencies, state DOTs) required

Skills & Competencies

Transportation and Policy Expertise

  • Familiarity with urban mobility practice and policy
  • Exposure to federal/state transportation policy or funding processes
  • An equity-centered lens on transportation and infrastructure issues

Organization Management Skills

  • Strong strategic planning skills — able to translate mission and Board direction into policies, procedures, and long-range plans
  • Strong financial acumen — budgeting, financial reporting, and fiduciary oversight
  • Strong people-management skills — hiring judgment, staff development, performance management, and organizational design
  • Fundraising skills desired, with a track record of securing and diversifying revenue across grants, sponsorships, membership dues, and other mechanisms

Board and Governance Skills

  • Track record operating successfully under and being held accountable by a governing board
  • Experience supporting or advising policy committees and outside advisory bodies
  • Sound judgment under time pressure, with clear escalation to Board leadership
  • Skilled at synthesizing and communicating organizational progress clearly to a governing board

Relationship and Stakeholder Management Skills

  • Strong relationship-builder across diverse, high-level stakeholders (city officials, funders, policymakers, media)
  • Experience driving member engagement and retention within a dues-based membership model preferred

Communication Skills

  • Strong public speaker with credible spokesperson presence
  • Strong written communicator, able to shift register across technical, governance, and public/media audiences
  • Active listener, skilled at tailoring messages to different audiences

Leadership Qualities

  • Builds and drives vision
  • Demonstrates emotional intelligence
  • Ethical and fair
  • Leads effective change
  • Effective delegator

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $190,000—$220,000

Benefits: Competitive benefits package

How to Apply

The hiring process is being managed by HAVEN, a third-party HR Advisory firm. Please send resume and cover letter to HRAdmin@havenhumanassets.com.

NACTO is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.