Chief Financial Officer

26-CFO

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), formerly the Regional Transportation Authority, was created by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker to make transit across northeastern Illinois work for riders as one regional transit system. NITA is seeking to fill the leadership role for the Chief Financial Officer position for the Finance, Innovation & Technology department. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the incumbent will provide strategic leadership in guiding the regional response at a pivotal moment for the region’s transit system.
Oversees a group of highly skilled professionals and provides counsel to leadership as the Agency and its partners develop and implement long-term funding solutions while supporting and advancing system-wide transformation and improvement. Success in this role will require experience and willingness to manage change thoughtfully and collaboratively. This work encompasses financial planning including the development of budgets, financial plans, accounting, treasury operations, and capital project management oversight.

The incumbent conducts and leads clear communication of financial analysis and policy recommendations to provide the Agency’s management and Board with information to make sound management and budgetary decisions. Working across departments, the incumbent will ensure that staff has access to finance administration and operations information that will assist the Agency in achieving cost effective, cost efficient, and service effective performance desired for a coordinated and seamless transit system.

NITA sets regional fares, service standards, and schedules across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace; plans and funds regional capital investment; and oversees the performance and finances of the three Service Boards serving riders across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

As of September 1, 2026, NITA has expanded authority under Public Act 104-0457. People who join NITA now will help build the systems, policies, and partnerships that shape regional transit for years to come.

Critical to this success is a financial executive who can help guide the transformation of Chicago’s public transit. The regional transit system is at an inflection point, requiring a visionary and strategic financial leader. This high-impact role offers the chance to shape long-term funding solutions, drive system-wide transformation, and provide expert counsel to the Agency’s leadership and Board during a period of unprecedented change and opportunity. We are seeking a seasoned, collaborative professional ready to make a significant and lasting impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the region's transit system.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Play a key role in transitioning the agency to NITA by identifying additional accountabilities in the legislation, facilitating organizational change, and working towards implementation in various activities that are aligned with the CFO responsibilities.
• Develop, in conjunction with the Executive Director, senior staff and Service Boards (Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace Suburban Bus), policy recommendations to the Agency Board on transit finance administration and operations issues that align with state legislation and as stated in the position summary. Ensure that the Department’s planned activities meet related strategic goals and priorities of the Agency.
• Direct the development and monitoring of the operating budget and multi-year plans of the Agency and the Service Boards. Strategize alternatives to budgetary pressures and present recommendations to the Agency Board. Facilitate adherence to state legislative mandated budget requirements. Lead the comprehensive financial analysis and forecasting processes for all service board budgets. This includes identifying trends and providing strategic recommendations to optimize resources and support long-term financial sustainability.
• Direct all cash and debt management activities including investments, accounts payable, and payroll. Oversee the financing process of obtaining funding for capital projects. Collaborate with internal and external parties to coordinate the timing of expenditures with debt availability. Issue bonds and other debt instruments and determine use, amount, and timing. Secure short-term borrowing to fund operations as needed.
• Manage and coordinate the development of sound financial statements and review the work of auditors, ensuring that financial statements and reviews are issued on time. Improve the analysis and reporting timeliness of agency spending with the implementation of updated software, data input enhancement, and process improvements.
• Direct the project management office providing oversight of capital projects at the Service Boards.
• Plan the activities of the Department and develop the objectives and policies for the Department. Develop, implement, and monitor Department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Identify the need for new procedures, reports, and computer systems to improve the management and work of finance and overall operations. Direct and coordinate the implementation of new procedures, reports, or computer systems.
• Direct and coordinate staff and consultant resources to ensure that the planned activities are performed in an accurate and efficient manner, coordinated with appropriate internal and external parties, and in accordance with Agency and Departmental policies. Also ensure that findings and/or recommendations (whether presented in writing or verbally) are thorough, accurate and clear.
• Prepare and present comprehensive analyses and reports in a clear and concise manner to the Executive Director and the Chairman and Board, staff, Service Boards, and other interested agencies.
• Under the guidance of the Executive Director and other senior staff, convene task forces drawing on personnel from other departments to address priority issues relating to Service Board transit finance administration and operations.
• Direct the development of Ten-Year Financial Plan, with input and collaboration from Service Boards.
• Serves as NITA Trustee and Chair of the NITA Pension Plan. Primary trustee contact for NITA’s pension including, investment advisor, investment managers, actuary, auditor, custodian, legal counsel, administrator, and Agency Pension Committee. Reviews all expenditures of, and transfers within, the Trust. Also serves as the NITA trustee on both of CTA’s retirement boards.
• Foster a work culture that’s focused on achieving measurable objectives by coaching staff, strengthening interagency relationships, and supporting your team. Supports the Agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity policies, goals, and objectives.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Public Administration, Operations Research, Operations Analysis, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree in a related field preferred. MBA, MPA, or MPS preferred.
• More than ten (10) years of related experience in government or public finance required, gained through increasingly responsible positions: finance administration and operations, research and analysis, treasury, budgeting, project management, and oversight/auditing.
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated supervisory/management experience.
• Experience in finance administration and operations-related positions with exposure to a variety of aspects of policy development is helpful.
• Previous experience working in a senior management role is also preferable.
• Experience acting as an agency spokesperson is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience managing a diverse staff and programs.
• Proven expertise in leading organizational change within complex, multi-stakeholder environments to meet strategic goals through effective communication, change management principles, and problem-solving.

Skills:

• Plan Development: Ability to lead comprehensive efforts that integrate budgeting, financial planning, and cross‑departmental coordination to support strategic, Agency‑wide objectives.
• Analysis: Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex transit finance administration and operations documents required.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain as well as support recommendations for both internal and external contacts.
• Strategic leadership: Capable of setting clear vision and direction, motivating teams, and guiding complex initiatives to achieve organizational goals.

NITA offers a highly competitive benefits package:

• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by NITA at no cost to you
• 401(k) and/or 457 plan options
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Transit benefits to support your commute
• Twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday
• Competitive personal leave package
• Parental leave
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Insurance/Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership discount
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program

This role typically offers salaries near $187,068 and NITA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates.

For more information about NITA, visit our website at https://nita.illinois.gov/. 

To apply online: Select Login and within the drop-down box, “Login” to your account or create an account by selecting "Register.” 

For assistance during your application process (e.g., password login, errors, attaching documents), please contact us at: humanresources@nita.illinois.gov.

An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

**Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-NITA employment while employed at the NITA, or within one year immediately after ending NITA employment, the employee may be required to notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.**