How to apply for Policy and Partnerships Manager

About Veo

Veo is a fast-growing micromobility company that operates shared bikes and scooters across the U.S., with a mission to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable urban transportation. Unlike many competitors, Veo focuses on community-centric partnerships and regulatory compliance, making it a unique player in the shared mobility space.

About the role

As Policy and Partnerships Manager, you will be the primary liaison between Veo and city governments, universities, and community stakeholders. Your work directly impacts Veo's ability to expand into new markets, maintain compliance, and build lasting relationships that ensure operational sustainability and growth.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a call with a city transportation department to discuss permit renewals, followed by drafting a proposal for a new university partnership. Afternoon could involve analyzing ridership data to support a compliance report, then meeting with the operations team to align on regulatory changes affecting fleet deployment.

Who Veo is looking for

• 3-5 years of experience in public-private partnerships, urban planning, or transportation policy, with a track record of navigating city agencies and building community relationships.
• Juris Doctor (JD) strongly preferred, but candidates with equivalent legal or policy experience will also be considered.
• Exceptional proposal writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulations into actionable business strategies.
• Comfortable with data analysis (SQL a bonus) to support market leads and compliance reporting.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of successful partnerships with city agencies or community organizations, including quantifiable outcomes.
• In your cover letter, mention any experience with micromobility or shared transportation, and explain why you're passionate about reducing car dependency.
• Research Veo's current market presence and identify a city where Veo does not yet operate; propose a brief strategy for entering that market.
• Showcase your understanding of local regulations by referencing specific examples of how you've navigated permitting or compliance issues.
• If you have a JD, emphasize how your legal training helps you interpret and negotiate municipal codes and contracts.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders (city staff, elected officials, community groups).', "Specific examples of how you've influenced policy or secured partnerships that benefited both the organization and the community.", 'Your understanding of the micromobility regulatory landscape and how you can help Veo navigate it.', "Your enthusiasm for Veo's mission to end car dependency and your ideas for expanding their impact."]

Research before applying

• Review Veo's website and blog to understand their current partnerships, service areas, and company values.
• Read recent news articles about micromobility regulations in cities where Veo operates (e.g., Los Angeles, Chicago).
• Familiarize yourself with Veo's fleet types (e.g., Cosmo, Astro) and how they differ from competitors like Lime or Bird.
• Check Veo's LinkedIn page for recent posts about policy wins or community events to understand their public narrative.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you successfully negotiated a partnership with a city or government entity. What challenges did you face?
• How would you approach a city council that is skeptical about shared scooters?
• Veo is expanding into a new market. Walk us through how you would develop a market entry strategy, including stakeholder mapping.
• How do you stay updated on local transportation policies and regulations across multiple jurisdictions?
• Give an example of a data-driven decision you made to support a policy or partnership objective.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Veo's specific mission or recent initiatives.
• Overemphasizing technical skills (e.g., SQL) without showing how they apply to policy and partnerships.
• Focusing only on the 'partnerships' aspect and ignoring the 'policy' side—this role requires both relationship-building and regulatory knowledge.