Jobs & internships

Jobs

Policy and Planning Manager

Sports Backers is a nationally acclaimed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to inspire people to live actively. We achieve this mission by hosting events and facilitating programs that encourage people to get moving. Through our work, we strive to build a healthier, more vibrant community in the Richmond region. 

position overview

Do you want to shape the future of biking and walking in the Richmond region? Are you motivated by the opportunity to advance policies and plans that prioritize safe, connected, and equitable active transportation networks such as the Fall Line trail? Do you get excited about influencing infrastructure projects that make streets safer and communities healthier? 

The Policy and Planning Manager will focus on advancing local and regional transportation policies, plans, and projects that support biking and walking. This role will require translating community needs into policy recommendations, analyzing planning documents, and working directly with government officials, technical staff, and advocates to ensure that walking and biking remain central to decision-making in the Richmond region.  Resumes will be accepted until November 23rd.

key areas of responsibility:

• Track, analyze, and provide public comment on local and regional transportation, land use, and budget processes that impact biking and walking. 
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local and regional elected officials, government staff, planning commissions, and community partners. 
• Support the development and implementation of Bike Walk RVA policy campaigns, with emphasis on the Fall Line Vision Plan, in coordination with staff, advocates, and partner organizations. 
• Assist in the development of policy and planning communications tools such as maps, addenda to the Fall Line Vision Plan, and summaries of meeting minutes, budget priorities, and policy updates. 
• Work closely with the Engagement Manager to align grassroots advocacy efforts with policy opportunities and campaigns. 
• Translate complex policy, planning, and design documents into clear, accessible language for public consumption. 
• Support the Bike Walk RVA Academy by providing policy and planning expertise to participants. 
• Assist Sports Backers staff with major events as needed. 

Minimum qualification requirements:

• Knowledge of and experience with urban planning, transportation policy, or related fields. 
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with the ability to review plans and budgets critically. 
• Ability to clearly communicate policy and planning concepts to non-technical audiences. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders. 
• Passion for creating walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly communities. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in urban planning, transportation policy, or a related discipline. 
• Experience with policy advocacy campaigns or community-based planning. 
• Familiarity with the political and planning landscape of the Richmond region. 
• Experience presenting at public meetings and hearings. 

Salary and benefits

• Full-time salaried position with some evening and weekend work required. 
• Primarily an in-office position, with regular travel to meetings and events across the Richmond region. 
• Reports to and is supervised by the Director of Bike Walk RVA. 
• Compensation range: starting at $50,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience; benefits package including medical, dental, vacation, and moderate schedule flexibility around work events. 

Sports Backers believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a nonprofit, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. 

It is the policy of Sports Backers, in accordance with all applicable laws, to provide all individuals with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, age, marital status, veteran or disability status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. 

Key volunteer role

There are no key volunteer positions currently open.

Internships

There are no internship positions currently open.