Director of Research, Policy, and Impact (HYBRID)

ABA Overview

The American Bus Association is a 501(c) 6 trade association representing North American motorcoach, group travel, and tourism industries. We’re on a mission to connect people with places through an international, national network of bus and motorcoach operators, manufacturers, tour companies, tourism bureaus, destination venues, and those who love to travel.

Together, ABA supports the growth of member businesses through cross-sector events, industry research, philanthropy, and policy advocacy, which enables professional development, business connections, mobility, and travel.

The ABA Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, research, and continuing education for the motorcoach and tour industry, will play a more significant role in the ABA value proposition and the public affairs and government relations programming. The ABA Foundation's mission is to support the motorcoach travel and tour industry with research and scholarships that benefit ABA and help educate the industry, policymakers, the media, and the public. The Foundation currently awards dozens of scholarships annually totaling over $100,000. The Foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception in 1997. Our scholarship programs help ABA members and the general public earn degrees that support the motorcoach travel and tour industry and promote academic excellence and diversity. The Foundation also facilitates research on the industry’s economic impact, size and efficiency, energy use and emissions, sales data, and more.

The Foundation Board has authorized the hiring of a staff member to advance the Foundation’s mission and leverage its resources to support the Foundation’s mission and areas of alignment with ABA. The largest areas of need are identifying research and data gaps across the motorcoach travel and tour industry, which are needed to inform and advance the industry’s public policy agenda and establish the Foundation as the go-to data hub for the motorcoach travel and tour industry. Research is essential to helping the public and policymakers understand the significance of the motorcoach, travel, and tour industries and enacting sound public policy to ensure the success of ABA’s bus, tour, and travel members.

Director of Research, Policy, and Impact Job Overview:

The American Bus Association (ABA) seeks an experienced professional as Director of Research, Policy, and Impact for the ABA Foundation. This unique position involves a dual focus, with most of the role dedicated to leading the ABA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that conducts and distributes industry research, promotes scholarships, and supports philanthropic activities. The remaining role will focus on ABA's legislative agenda through enhanced education and engagement with policymakers, members, and the general public. This person will notbe a federally registered lobbyist.

The ideal candidate will have a background in communications, marketing, government relations, and strategic advocacy campaign execution. They will be able to advance the Foundation’s mission to support ABA legislative initiatives and engage ABA members and industry stakeholders. Experience with foundations and/or industry-led research campaigns is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ABA Foundation’s mission to conduct, compile, and disseminate industry research and data to ABA members, policymakers, and the public.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand the Foundation’s scholarship and philanthropic programs.
• Establish partnerships with external organizations, including the media, to enhance research efforts and philanthropic activities.
• Secure funding for the Foundation through grants, sponsorships, and donations to support research and scholarships.
• Communicate the Foundation’s impact through various channels, including reports, presentations, in-person events, and digital platforms.
• Ensure all Foundation activities comply with nonprofit regulations and align with the Foundation and ABA's strategic missions.
• Working with the Government Relations team, communicate Foundation research and analysis to members, policymakers, and the public through targeted outreach and campaigns.
• Support ABA’s policy agenda in partnership with the ABA Government Affairs team through educational briefings, collateral creation, policy analysis, and external engagement with other industry coalitions, policymakers, and staff.
• Coordinate ABA Foundation activities amongst the various committees and councils managed by ABA.
• Represent ABA and the Foundation in various state associations and other coalition settings, including travel ~25-35% to events outside Washington, D.C.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in communications, government relations, public policy, data science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in leading strategic campaigns that drive organizational goals.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex issues for diverse audiences.
• Proven fundraising skills through successful campaigns to achieve large-value donation projections.
• Familiarity or experience with trade show operations and show-based fundraising activations.
• Expertise in digital media, marketing, and content creation to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Proven leadership and project management skills, with the ability to balance Foundation and legislative responsibilities.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, particularly in research, philanthropy, or public policy, is a plus.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in public policy, communications, or a related field is preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Creative, strategic thinker with an aptitude for collaboration and driving results.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships across sectors.
• Strong policy analysis and legislative advocacy expertise.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and thrive under deadlines.
• Passion for the ABA Foundation’s mission and the legislative interests of the ABA.
• The person will not be a federally registered lobbyist.