The Program Director for Safety leads ITE’s safety-focused technical programs and partnerships, bringing deep expertise in the Safe System Approach and its application across planning, design, operations, and policy activities. This role manages various federal and partner contracts; serves as a project manager and subject matter expert on national safety initiatives; and supports member volunteer-driven development of ITE’s safety-related technical products including Recommended Practices, Informational Reports, Technical Briefs, and Quick Bites.
The position serves as staff liaison to the Safety Council and several Committees; represents ITE in national research and safety coalitions; and advances professional capacity building through courses, conferences, webinars, and workshops including ITE’s Safe System and Road Safety Audit training programs. The Program Director for Safety also supports student competitions, contributes to publications and communications, fosters strategic partnerships, and responds to member technical inquiries, ensuring that Safe System principles are consistently embedded across ITE programs, resources, and industry engagement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Technical Program Management
- Lead technical activities related to transportation safety ensuring timely and accurate delivery of contract and project deliverables.
- Manage specific projects/task orders including project plans, schedules, subcontractor coordination, and reporting requirements.
- Professional Capacity Building
- Develop and support webinars, workshops, and other educational initiatives, identifying relevant topics and speakers, and facilitating or delivering presentations.
- Provide technical expertise and guidance in the creation and dissemination of newsletters, professional journals, and other publications, working closely with authors, technical committees, and review panels.
- Assist in the planning, organizing, and execution of the ITE Spring Technical Conference and International Annual Meeting.
- Member Engagement
- Serve as the ITE staff liaison to the Safety Council, Data-Driven Safety Analysis Committee, Transportation Forensics and Risk Management Committee, Vision Zero Committee, and other volunteer-led groups as the needs arise.
- Collaborate with ITE members and other key stakeholders to foster the exchange of knowledge and innovation.
- Respond to technical inquiries from members and organizations, providing resources and best practices to address specific technical and policy issues.
- Contracts
- Manage existing contracts with the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, and Federal Highway Administration.
- Lead business development efforts to identify, pursue, and secure new contracts and funding opportunities with both existing and new partner organizations, including federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners.
- Travel
- Ability to travel annually to the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition, including participation in on-site meetings, sessions, and related professional activities.
- Ability to travel periodically to other conferences, meetings, and events as needed to support program development, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree and preference for Master’s degree in transportation engineering, planning, policy or other transportation-related curriculum.
- Preference for existing, or ability to obtain, Roadway Safety Professional (RSP), Professional Transportation Planner (PTP), Professional Transportation Operations Engineer (PTOE), or similar certification.
Experience
- Seven to ten years of progressive professional experience in the transportation sector involved with the development and implementation of technical programs in the area of transportation safety.
- Professional experience in the association sector with a focus on member engagement including an appreciation for, and experience in working with, volunteer groups serving in either a leadership role or advisory capacity.
- Practical knowledge and experience in coordinating outreach, dissemination, and engagement efforts such as webinars, technical publications, peer exchanges, workshops, and technical conferences.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong prioritization and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to understand and effectively communicate both technical and non-technical information about the programs, products, and services of ITE.
- Project planning, organizational, and budgeting skills with a focus on developing and managing technical projects.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of tools, web meeting platforms, and open-source content management systems is desirable.