Program Manager, AV Operational Excellence

Description

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

The autonomous transition is a transformational opportunity for Lyft. Our strategy focuses on becoming the preferred marketplace, fleet, and operational partner for the world's best Autonomous Vehicle (AV) providers. As AV deployments scale across new markets, the operational infrastructure that enables safe, compliant, and high-quality service becomes a critical competitive advantage. This role sits at the heart of that infrastructure - owning the systems, processes, and partner alignment that allow Lyft to operate at the standards our AV partners require and our riders expect.

As a qualified candidate, you have a track record of building and running complex operational programs in highly regulated or standards-driven environments. You are energized by cross-functional complexity - comfortable leading structured implementation processes that span many teams while keeping a clear eye on compliance and quality outcomes. You bring a program management mindset, strong stakeholder communication skills, and the judgment to navigate ambiguity in a fast-moving industry.

Responsibilities

• Own execution of AV partner audits end-to-end. That includes evidence collection, submission, partner and third-party review, mitigation oversight, and closeout, across concurrent certification cycles for multiple markets and AV partners, domestic and international.
• Act as a strategic leader within the company to support cross-functional teams’ compliance controls and readiness for partner scrutiny
• Drive coordination across teams including EHS, Legal, Safety, HR, IT and Operations for every deliverable. Translate partner and regulatory requirements into concrete, assignable asks and ensure deadlines are met
• Maintain and continuously improve the audit tracking system, including the evidence library, audit trail, and submission tooling. Lead platform improvements as volume and complexity grow
• Identify non-conforming items surfaced during audits, assist in identifying mitigation, and track corrective actions with the owning function through to closure
• Manage the logistics and stakeholder prep for audits, including document readiness and staff interviews
• Build repeatable playbooks so each new market or partner audit cycle runs faster and with less rework than the last
• Report clearly and credibly on timelines and risk to leadership on behalf of AV Operational Excellence
• Act as the primary audit point of contact for AV partners
• Experience:
• 5+ years in program management, compliance, quality assurance, or audit-adjacent roles within a regulated or standards-driven environment
• A track record of driving structured, deadline-driven cross-functional work without formal authority over contributing teams. Comfortable pushing partners to deliver and escalating when needed
• Strong command of audit and evidence management mechanics: tracking systems, documentation rigor, version control, and chain-of-custody type discipline
• Experience with spreadsheet or database-driven tracking systems, and interest in modernizing them
• Prior exposure to AV, automotive, aviation, or another safety-critical, audited industry strongly preferred
• This is an individual contributor role at launch, with room to grow into leading a small team as certification volume scales

Benefits

• Extended health and dental coverage options, along with life insurance and disability benefits
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• Child care and pet benefits
• Access to a Lyft funded Health Care Savings Account
• RRSP plan with company match to help save for your future
• In addition to provincial observed holidays, salaried team members are covered under Lyft's flexible paid time off policy. The policy allows team members to take off as much time as they need (with manager approval). Hourly team members get 15 days paid time off, with an additional day for each year of service
• Lyft is proud to support new parents with 18 weeks of paid time off, designed as a top-up plan to complement provincial programs. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible.
• Subsidized commuter benefits and Lyft ride credits
• Lyft is committed to creating an inclusive workforce that fosters belonging. Lyft believes that every person has a right to equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, pardoned record of offences, or any other basis protected by applicable law or by Company policy. Lyft also strives for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibits harassment of any kind. Accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request in accordance with applicable law during the application and hiring process. Please contact your recruiter if you wish to make such a request.
• Lyft highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule — Team Members will be expected to work in the office at least 3 days per week, including on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Lyft considers working in the office at least 3 days per week to be an essential function of this hybrid role. Your recruiter can share more information about the various in-office perks Lyft offers. Additionally, hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. Hybrid
• The expected base pay range for this position in the Toronto area is CAD $108,000 - CAD $135,000, not inclusive of potential equity offering, bonus or benefits. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience and geographic location. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.
• Lyft may use artificial intelligence to screen applicants, however, Lyft employees make the ultimate selection and hiring decisions.
• This job fills an existing vacancy.