How to apply for Account Director, Western US

About Via Transporation

Via is a global leader in transportation technology, partnering with hundreds of cities and agencies to modernize public transit. Their mission to make transportation efficient, affordable, and sustainable is backed by innovative software and a collaborative, impact-driven culture.

About the role

As an Account Director, you'll be the strategic partner for senior city and agency leaders, owning the commercial relationship and driving expansions and renewals. Your work directly impacts communities by improving access to jobs, healthcare, and education, making this role both challenging and deeply rewarding.

A typical day

You'll start your day by checking emails and prioritizing partner requests, then hop on virtual calls with city officials or agency executives to discuss progress and address concerns. Afternoons might involve analyzing performance data, preparing renewal proposals, or collaborating with internal teams to ensure partner success, all from your home office.

Who Via Transporation is looking for

• Proven experience in client-facing roles, ideally in govtech, transit, or SaaS, with a track record of managing complex, high-value accounts.
• Ability to build trust and influence at the executive level, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic consultant.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in contract negotiations, renewals, and driving revenue growth.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into business value for diverse stakeholders.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of managing complex partnerships and achieving commercial outcomes, quantifying results where possible.
• In your cover letter, mention your understanding of public transit challenges and your passion for Via's mission, showing genuine interest in the industry.
• Research Via's recent partnerships and impact stories, and reference them in your application to demonstrate your proactive interest.
• Show your ability to work remotely and collaborate across time zones, emphasizing your communication and self-management skills.
• Prepare to discuss a time you navigated a complex renewal or expansion, detailing your strategy and the outcome.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience in building relationships with senior executives and your approach to becoming a trusted advisor.', 'Your track record of driving revenue growth through renewals and expansions, with specific examples.', "Your understanding of the public transit sector and why Via's mission resonates with you personally.", 'Your ability to work autonomously in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.']

Research before applying

• Read Via's impact stories and case studies to understand the outcomes they deliver for partners.
• Look into Via's technology platform and how it differentiates from competitors like Moovit or Transit.
• Follow Via on LinkedIn and Twitter to stay updated on recent news, partnerships, and company culture.
• Research the specific transit challenges in the Western US region, such as funding or ridership trends.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach building a relationship with a new city mayor or transit agency director?
• Describe a time you turned around a struggling client relationship. What steps did you take?
• How do you balance the needs of the partner with the commercial goals of Via?
• What metrics would you use to measure success in this role, and how would you track them?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple high-stakes accounts simultaneously?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't be generic—avoid vague statements about being a 'people person'; provide concrete examples of your account management success.
• Don't underestimate the importance of the mission; if you can't convey genuine passion for public transit, it will show.
• Don't neglect to research Via's competitors; be prepared to articulate why Via is the best choice for partners.