Chief Executive Officer

RTD - Regional Transportation District of Denver, CO (RTD); Denver (CO); On-site; USD 411,000 - 509,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver seeks an experienced chief executive to lead a multi-modal, taxpayer-funded transit agency. You will set strategy, unify the board and management, and champion customer-centric services to raise ridership while maintaining safety and reliability.

The role demands a visionary leader with deep public-sector experience, strong collaboration with elected officials, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years management experience, with at least five years executive leadership at a transit agency or similarly complex organization.
• Experience leading organizations with both union and non-union staff is highly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desired; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage a multi-modal, complex customer-centric, taxpayer-financed transit organization with emphasis on increasing ridership.
• Lead with the board to unify the agency with a common vision and approach to delivering services to customers.
• Foster collaboration with local, regional and state officials and diverse stakeholders.
• Publicly represent RTD and communicate priorities to media, officials, and the community.
• Oversee marketing and public outreach to promote RTD.
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and an inclusive culture across the organization.
• Mentor and empower senior leadership to drive performance and innovation.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree desired

Job description

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections! When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") is responsible for implementing policy set by the Board by overseeing and directing the daily operations of RTD’s services.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a multi-modal, complex customer-centric, taxpayer-financed transit organization with an emphasis focused on increasing ridership by delivering safe, reliable and high-quality services.
• Work in tandem and collaboratively with the board to unify the agency with a common vision, message and approach to delivering services to the customer.
• Build strong collaborative trusting relationships and partnerships with the local, regional and state elected and appointed officials including the Governor and Colorado General Assembly, Mayors, Managers and Council Members as well as other stakeholders (i.e. customers, advocacy groups, community leaders and the business community).
• Serve and lead the organization as the public face, cheerleader, champion and voice of RTD by instilling trust, confidence and brand positivity.
• Oversee a strong, positive and effective marketing and public outreach program that promotes RTD.
• Represent RTD publicly and effectively communicate agency priorities to the media, public, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
• Foster, instill, promote and maintain a culture that embraces diversity, multi-culturalism, inclusion, equity, and equality at all levels of the organization.
• Encourage, empower, and challenge the executive leadership team and their departments to think “outside the box” and offer customer‑centric solutions that are innovative, effective, efficient and properly respond to customer needs.
• Foster an open, collaborative, professional, and safe work environment that promotes innovation, teamwork and positivity.
• Provide leadership to encourage employees to take initiative and develop within the organization.
• Attract, mentor and empower high‑performing C‑level staff to successfully lead others.
• Take action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Small/ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non‑discriminatory.
• Promote and develop innovative and equitable solutions to first‑and‑last‑mile challenges.
• Oversee an asset management program for RTD’s aging fleet of vehicles and infrastructure.
• Evaluate and appropriately use emerging and existing technologies to enhance operations, service delivery, and customer needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years management experience with at least five (5) years of executive leadership experience working at a transit agency or another public or private entity of significant complexity and size. Success leading an organization with both union and non‑union employees is highly desired. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and an advanced degree are highly desired. An equivalent combination of education and experience consistent with the required qualifications will also be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Visionary and high-impact leader with commanding executive presence to serve as RTD’s chief champion. Principle‑driven executive who commands respect through unwavering integrity, transparent leadership, and an engaging, collaborative communication style. Ability to blend creative problem‑solving with a disciplined sense of urgency to navigate complex regional challenges. Must be a principled strategist that pairs influence and persuasive advocacy with the deep emotional intelligence and uncompromised ethics necessary to inspire staff, engage diverse stakeholders, and cultivate a culture of absolute public trust. Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and verbal and written communication skills. Strong financial management skills. Proven leadership skills which include being a: Unifier, integrator, and team builder, Problem solver and visionary, Mentor and motivator, and Creator of productive partnerships with appropriate parties. Capable of identifying and securing institutional grants to fund RTD. Ability to “think outside the box” and adapt to address RTD’s brand, reputation and relationships with stakeholders. Ability to garner public support to address budget gaps by identifying and securing funding including institutional grants that will ensure long‑term financial sustainability for operations, maintenance, on‑going state of good repair. Strategic leader with excellent team building, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. Executive leader who embraces diversity, equity, equality, multi‑culturalism and inclusion. Verifiable track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with customers, elected officials and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to oversee the effective use of technology to support organizational performance, communications, service delivery, and the customer experience. Demonstrated willingness to become part of the community.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.

The annualized base salary range for this position is $411,000-$509,000, based on qualifications and experience.

The anticipated total compensation value, including base salary and employer‑provided benefits, is approximately $446,000-$622,000 annually, depending on the selected candidate’s salary and applicable benefit elections.

Compensation may comprise a component of pay‑for‑performance designed to motivate and incent performance and/or retention.

Applications are being accepted until November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT.

Pay Range: $411,000.00 - $509,000.00 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail]. To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. RTD provides public transportation services in an eight‑county region centered in Denver, Colorado.

As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand‑responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year‑over‑year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night. RTD is committed to full equal opportunity and affirmative action for all applicants and employees. Equal opportunity ensures all qualified applicants and employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against with regard to the individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy.

RTD participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E‑Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.