📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Principal - Via Student Transit
🔹 Company: Via
🔹 Location: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Austin, Dallas
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: August 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving new partnerships with school districts and local governments
- Ensuring partner success through effective communication and relationship management
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch and improve student transit programs
- Operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of new business development and partner success management, with a focus on building lasting relationships with educational institutions and local governments.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive new partnerships: Identify, engage, and close new opportunities with school districts and departments of education
✅ Own partner success: Serve as the key point of contact for your partners - building trust, ensuring great outcomes, and driving long-term satisfaction and renewal
✅ Communicate at all levels: Lead conversations with superintendents, transportation directors, procurement officers, and community stakeholders with confidence and clarity
✅ Craft compelling narratives: Create persuasive written proposals, RFP responses, and follow-up communications that reflect both partner goals and Via’s value
✅ Collaborate cross-functionally: Work with product, operations, deployment, and marketing teams to launch and grow successful student transit programs
✅ Improve and scale: Help build playbooks, processes, and materials that strengthen how we sell and support our growing partner base
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of sales, account management, and strategic planning to ensure successful student transit programs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred but not required
Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of relevant client-facing experience, including (but not limited to) consulting, consultative customer success, or business development
Required Skills:
- Customer-first operator with strong ownership instincts
- Excellent communicator, both written and verbal
- Comfortable navigating complex organizations
- Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments
- Experience in education, student transportation, or B2G sales/account management (preferred but not required)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with student transportation or education sector
- Familiarity with B2G sales or account management
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in education, student transportation, or B2G sales will have a strong foundation for success in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $145,000 - $165,000 per year
Benefits:
- Free Medical Plans
- 401K Matching
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on Via's size and the role's requirements. Final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Via is a software development company specializing in TransitTech, focusing on transforming legacy transportation systems into advanced digital networks.
Company Size: Via has 501-1,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and impact.
Founded: Via was founded in 2012 and has since expanded its services globally.
Company Description:
- Via builds innovative software to enable customers to transform their transportation systems
- Services include on-demand transit, dynamic carpooling, and demand-responsive transit
- Via's mission is to expand access to efficient, affordable, and sustainable transportation
Company Specialties:
- On-Demand Transit
- Dynamic Carpooling
- Car Service App
- Algorithms
- Logistics
- Public Transportation
- Microtransit
- Mobility
- Ridesharing
- Carpooling
- On-Demand Shuttles
- On-Demand Bus
- Transit Planning
- Corporate Shuttles
- Public Transit
- Public Transport
- Paratransit
- Demand Responsive Transit
Company Website: ridewithvia.com
ASSUMPTION: Via's focus on TransitTech and transforming transportation systems makes it an innovative and impactful place to work.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and a proven track record in client-facing roles.
Reporting Structure: The Partnerships Principal will report directly to the Head of Via Student Transit and work closely with cross-functional teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the potential for hybrid work arrangements depending on the specific needs of the partner and Via's operations.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Via Student Transit grows, there will be opportunities to take on more responsibility and lead teams
- Via's fast-paced environment provides ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement
- Successful candidates may have the opportunity to shape the future of student transportation and Via's role in it
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as Via Student Transit expands and the Partnerships Principal demonstrates success in their role.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Via has multiple offices across the United States, with this role being based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Austin, or Dallas.
Office Location(s): San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Austin, Dallas
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco and Los Angeles are major tech hubs with a high cost of living and competitive job markets
- Phoenix, Denver, Austin, and Dallas offer a mix of affordability, job opportunities, and quality of life
- All locations provide diverse cultural experiences and access to various amenities
Work Schedule: The work schedule is primarily Monday-Friday, with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work as needed to accommodate partner meetings or events.
ASSUMPTION: The specific office location and work arrangement may vary depending on the candidate's preferences and Via's operational needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
- In-depth behavioral and situational interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills and experience
- Final interviews with key stakeholders, including the Head of Via Student Transit
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and experience in client-facing roles
- Communication and presentation skills
- Ability to navigate complex organizations and build relationships
- Understanding of the education sector and student transportation
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in education, student transportation, or B2G sales/account management
- Demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your problem-solving skills and experience in client-facing roles
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your experience and approach to partnership development and management
ATS Keywords: Partnership development, account management, education, student transportation, B2G sales, relationship building, communication, problem-solving
ASSUMPTION: Via's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's fit for the role and Via's company culture, with a focus on problem-solving skills, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on Via's internal systems and the candidate's role-specific needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-first: Via prioritizes the needs and satisfaction of its customers
- Innovation: Via encourages creativity and continuous improvement
- Collaboration: Via fosters a team-oriented environment where employees work together to achieve common goals
Work Style:
- Fast-paced: Via operates in a dynamic and fast-changing environment, requiring employees to be adaptable and responsive
- Results-driven: Via focuses on achieving measurable outcomes and delivering value to its customers
- Team-oriented: Via values collaboration and cross-functional teamwork to drive success
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments?
- Are you comfortable navigating complex organizations and building relationships with diverse stakeholders?
- Do you have a proven track record of driving results and delivering value to customers?
ASSUMPTION: Via's company culture emphasizes customer focus, innovation, and collaboration, with a fast-paced and results-driven work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple partners and priorities simultaneously
- Navigating complex organizational structures and decision-making processes
- Balancing new business development and partner success management responsibilities
- Adapting to Via's fast-paced and evolving environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and can be mitigated with strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a customer-first mindset.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on student transportation and partnership development within the education sector
- Similar roles may include Business Development Managers, Account Executives, or Client Success Managers, but with a focus on education and student transportation
- Career progression may include moving into leadership roles within Via Student Transit or other areas of Via's business
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in the growing student transportation sector and drive Via's expansion into this vertical.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic plan to expand Via Student Transit into new markets
- Creating a comprehensive proposal to secure a multi-year partnership with a large school district
- Implementing a new CRM system to improve partner management and communication
ASSUMPTION: These projects are representative of the types of initiatives the Partnerships Principal may undertake to drive Via Student Transit's success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Via Student Transit plan to differentiate itself from other student transportation providers?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Via support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key challenges facing Via Student Transit, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Via measure the success of its partnerships, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess Via's strategic vision, the role's priorities, and the company's commitment to employee growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in education, student transportation, or B2G sales/account management
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and experience in client-facing roles
- Research Via's company culture and be prepared to discuss how your values and work style align with Via's
- Follow up with Via after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
