Chief of Mobility Innovation
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of Mobility Innovation, housed within the Mayor’s Office, exists to reimagine how Detroiters move through their city. Mobility in Detroit is not just about transportation—it is about access to opportunity, safety, health, and economic participation. Under Mayor-Elect Sheffield, the Office advances a people-first approach to mobility that prioritizes equity, affordability, environmental sustainability, and neighborhood connectivity. The Office works across departments and with community partners to pilot new ideas, modernize systems, and ensure transportation solutions reflect the lived experiences of Detroit residents across every neighborhood.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Business Innovation and Emerging Industries, the Chief of Mobility Innovation serves as Detroit’s senior mobility strategist and innovation leader, charged with transforming how residents access jobs, education, healthcare, and community life. The Chief leads the development and execution of Detroit’s mobility vision by aligning public transit, emerging mobility technologies, infrastructure planning, and community-driven solutions into one coordinated strategy. This role requires a bold, forward-thinking leader who understands mobility as a civil-rights issue and an economic catalyst, and who can translate innovation into tangible improvements in daily life for Detroiters.
The Chief of Mobility Innovation will operate at the intersection of transportation policy, technology, climate resilience, and neighborhood equity—partnering with city departments, regional agencies, community organizations, labor, and private innovators. This position offers a rare opportunity to shape a national model for inclusive, future-ready urban mobility while delivering real, measurable benefits for Detroit residents.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Advance a people-centered mobility strategy that prioritizes access, affordability, safety, and dignity for Detroit residents
Reduce transportation barriers that limit access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services
Expand innovative, neighborhood-based mobility solutions that serve Detroiters across varying densities and income levels
Align mobility investments with climate resilience, environmental justice, and public-health outcomes
Strengthen coordination between transit, land use, housing, workforce, and economic-development strategies
Ensure Detroit residents are meaningfully engaged in shaping mobility pilots, programs, and investments
Position Detroit as a national leader in equitable mobility innovation and deployment
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Lead the development and implementation of Detroit’s citywide mobility strategy aligned with Mayor-Elect Sheffield’s priorities
Direct the planning, piloting, and scaling of innovative mobility programs, including shared mobility, on-demand services, and emerging technologies
Coordinate mobility planning across city departments, including DDOT, Planning and Development, Parking, Public Works, and Economic Development
Partner with community organizations to co-design mobility solutions that reflect neighborhood needs and lived experience
Work with regional transit agencies and state partners to improve service coordination and funding alignment
Advance data-driven decision-making by collecting, analyzing, and mapping mobility usage and travel patterns
Identify and secure local, state, federal, and philanthropic funding to support mobility initiatives
Negotiate and manage partnerships with private-sector innovators, startups, and research institutions
Modernize procurement and policy frameworks to support innovation while maintaining accountability and equity
Integrate mobility strategies with workforce access, housing stability, and economic-development initiatives
Represent the Mayor’s Office in public forums, stakeholder meetings, and national mobility discussions
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation, public policy, business administration, engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
Significant leadership experience in mobility innovation, transportation planning, urban systems, or related fields
Demonstrated success launching or scaling innovative programs in complex public or public-private environments
Strong understanding of equity-centered mobility, environmental justice, and community-driven planning
Experience working across government agencies, community organizations, and private partners
Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and complex projects
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-engagement skills
Familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods, transportation challenges, and regional mobility landscape strongly preferred
Commitment to progressive public service, resident voice, and measurable impact
Rate of Pay: $98,600- $129,400 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits:
Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment:
The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply