Policy Economist

Uber
San Francisco - United States
S: Competitive

Uber Overview
About Uber

Uber started out to solve a simple problem: the need to get a ride across town. Six years and one billion trips later, we've stumbled upon something a bit bigger: a new way to help tackle congestion—one of the most serious challenges cities face today.

Using technology, Uber makes it quick and easy for people headed in the same direction at the same time to share their journey. It's carpooling at the press of a button. And by getting more people into fewer cars we've proven you can reduce congestion and pollution overtime. uberPOOL in Los Angeles, for example, cut the number of kilometers driven across town by 12.7 million and carbon dioxide pollution by 1,400 metric in just eight months in Los Angeles.
Longer term, we're optimistic that smartphone apps like Uber can also offer a real alternative to individual car ownership. After all, if you can press a button and get an affordable ride across town in minutes, 24-hours a day, why bother to own a car? There is an alternative to a world that looks like a parking lot and moves like a traffic jam. We're looking for smart, can do people who want to make that future possible.

About Public Policy at Uber

The reforms needed are relatively simple: the right for one citizen to drive another citizen across town so long as certain important consumer protections requirements are met. The idea is not all that radical. But in many cities outdated regulations are holding back progress—and in places where reform has been possible, entrenched interests often try to turn the clock back.

Our public policy team is responsible for working with policy makers and third parties to make the positive case for change. That's partly about building lasting relationships in the cities where we operate with politicians and their staff so they understand the benefits of this new model. It also about figuring out the best local regulatory framework and then developing campaigns to push reform through.

Job Description

About this Role

We are looking for someone to join our Public Policy & Economics team based in San Francisco. This role will involve:
Developing deep issue expertise on one or more of the public policy issues impacting Uber
Consulting with local public affairs, communications and policy teams around the world
Working with business partners internally to develop creative solutions to thorny policy challenges
Driving forward research internally and with external researchers to make the case for Uber

What We're Looking For

To succeed you'll need to be:
A self starter: Uber is a company of entrepreneurs and we want to work with people who enjoy building things from the bottom up. Stuff changes fast in our world so you'll need to be highly adaptable as well as calm under pressure.
An intellectually curious wonk: We are responsible for developing the thought leadership positions that drive our public policy agenda around the world. You'll need to seek out issues just on the horizon and devour as much information as you can get your hands on to develop your expertise.
A great advocate: We're looking to create new regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and alternatives to individual car ownership. You'll need the intellectual fire power to grasp complex policy issues as well as the ability to articulate clearly and simply how apps like Uber can help improve transportation for everyone—both orally and in writing.
A team player: Success at Uber depends on the ability to organize different teams (internally and externally) around shared goals. It's why we're looking for well organized people who enjoy working with others to get stuff done—and who can deal with the ambiguity that sometimes comes from working cross-functionally.
A strong project manager: You should be able to conceptualize, own, drive and complete projects that will move the needle on given issues and support our overall arguments.

Ideally you will have five years experience working as an economist (PhD preferred) in business, academia, think tanks, government or the private sector. We would prefer candidates with some programming experience and the ability to wrangle large data sets as well as the ability to communicate effectively. You will need the ability to get through to external parties and help them understand the nuances of our arguments.

Job summary