Senior Director, Trucks & Off-Road

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About Us:

CALSTART is a mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all.

For over 30 years, it’s been CALSTART’s mission to develop, assess, and implement large-scale, zero-emission transportation solutions to mitigate climate change and support economic growth. CALSTART works with businesses, organizations, governments, and communities to create real-life impact toward clean air and equitable access to clean transportation for all. CALSTART provides scientific, technical and policy support for regulatory development and clean technology and infrastructure acceleration.

About The Role:

CALSTART is seeking a Senior Director, Trucks & Off-Road (T&OR) to lead strategy, execution, and market acceleration efforts across medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks and commercial off-road equipment. This leader will work closely with other initiatives, activities, and regional office leads to align priorities and advance the most effective technologies, policies, and programs that accelerate adoption of zero-emission trucks in the Class 5-8 sectors.

The Senior Director will drive initiative strategy, influence policy, develop and manage implementation of innovative programs, and cultivate strong industry and government partnerships. This role bridges CALSTART’s industry leadership with state and federal agencies, manufacturers, and fleets to ensure measurable market outcomes that drive towards a net-zero future in the Trucking and Off-Road industries.

The Senior Director will play a key leadership role in scaling impact nationally and across regions by working with member companies, policy makers, fleets, and industry stakeholders.

The Senior Director, Trucks & Off-Road is responsible for the development and oversight of the Initiative’s strategy, operational planning, and execution. This includes coordination across CALSTART initiatives, activities, policy, and regional teams to ensure alignment and measurable outcomes.

This leader will manage and grow a high-performing team while overseeing a portfolio of complex programs, incentive projects, research initiatives, and market acceleration efforts that advance zero-emission truck and off-road deployment.

The Senior Director reports to executive leadership and works in close partnership with Policy, Business Development, Regional Offices, Technology, and Member Services. These teams have been established to support and help all initiatives, including Truck and Off-road, achieve their mission of driving down transportation emissions.

What You'll Bring To The Table: :
• Initiative Strategy & Operational Leadership: Develop and manage oversight of the Trucks & Off-Road Initiative Strategy and Operational Plan, including annual business development goals, OKRs, KPIs, and quarterly performance reviews.

• Align initiative priorities with organizational strategy, funding opportunities, and market needs.

• Oversee development of work plans, hiring plans, and initiative-level budget coordination in partnership with executive leadership.

• Ensure cross-cutting collaboration to develop and create cutting edge innovative demonstrations, pilots, and commercialization programs.

• Program & Portfolio Oversight: Oversee strategy, administration, and management of major T&OR programs and projects, including demonstration initiatives, fleet engagement efforts, and first-of-a-kind deployments, and incentive programs.

• Provide executive oversight of scopes, budgets, schedules, and deliverables across the initiative portfolio.

• Ensure projects support Initiative goals, market acceleration, effective economic and technical federal and state policy, and develop research priorities for industry advancement.

• Policy & Industry Leadership: Work closely with CALSTART’s Policy team and industry stakeholders to advance policy and regulatory frameworks that accelerate zero-emission truck and off-road deployment.

• Provide subject matter expertise on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle technologies, advanced fuels, and infrastructure planning support for trucking sectors in close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Engage with state and federal agencies (e.g., FHWA, DOE, FTA, CARB, CEC, and others), supporting program design and implementation.

• Represent CALSTART at industry forums, public events, and technical convenings.

• Business Development & External Partnerships: Partner with the Business Development team and the Executive Vice President of Initiatives to identify and secure new funded opportunities.

• Support proposal strategy, partnership development, and funder engagement.

• Maintain and expand strong relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, fleets, utilities, government agencies, foundations, and community organizations.

• Leverage industry network to build coalitions and advance collaborative initiatives.

• Team Leadership & Operations: Lead, mentor, and grow a passionate team of program managers, technical experts, and analysts.

• Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, collaboration, accountability, and determination.

• Ensure effective coordination across regional offices, initiative teams, supporting staff teams, and member companies.

• Support talent recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management.

What You Bring To The Table: :
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Planning, Environmental Studies, Business Administration, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle and/or commercial off-road equipment sector.

• Demonstrated experience managing clean transportation programs, including zero-emission truck deployment and associated infrastructure planning.

• 7+ years of program and project management experience overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

• 5+ years of business development and partnership cultivation experience.

• Proven team leadership and staff management experience.

• Strong understanding of policy, regulatory, and market drivers impacting T&OR deployment nationally.

• Knowledge of advanced truck and off-road technologies including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems.

• Experience working with truck and off-road manufacturers, fleets, utilities, and public agencies.

Desired Qualifications: :
• Exceptional strategic thinking and operational planning capability.

• Ability to create and translate complex technical solutions into actionable, real-world implementation strategies.

• Strong coalition-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Understanding of utility electrification issues related to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, with a strong preference to drayage and long-haul experience.

• Technical publishing, speaking, and presentation experience.

• Familiarity with modeling, business case analysis, and vehicle performance assessment.

We understand that not everyone will match the above qualifications 100%. If your background isn't perfectly aligned but you feel you would be a great addition to the team, we'd love to hear from you.

We're a tight-knit team of world-class innovators, business minds, and change agents who believe passionately in our mission and put our team ahead of self. We are committed to the continued development and growth of our employees and invest in your success!

We care about your personal well being as much as your professional success and offer generous benefits to full time employees including: 100% company paid comprehensive health benefits for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance, Retirement plan with generous company contributions, FSA for Health and Dependent Care, 3 weeks of vacation time in the first year of employment, 11 paid company holidays, paid sick time, paid family leave, and more!

Our inclusive environment focuses on making decisions based on merit without regard to race, color, hair texture, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, LGBTQIA+ status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.