Chief Financial Officer

Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 168,361 - 205,774; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Pension

Tuition Assistance

401(k)

Job summary

A regional transportation authority is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Chicago with over 10 years of governmental finance experience. The role requires strategic leadership and financial planning as part of the organization transitioning to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA). The successful candidate will manage duties including treasury operations and budget oversight, ensuring alignment with state legislation while providing high-level service to stakeholders. Competitive salary of $187,068 with benefits including medical, vision, and pension.

Qualifications

• More than 10 years of experience in government or public finance.
• Experience managing diverse finance administration and operations.
• Ability to read and interpret complex financial documents.

Responsibilities

• Play a key role in transitioning the agency to NITA.
• Develop policy recommendations on transit finance administration.
• Direct the development of the operating budget and multi-year plans.
• Manage cash and debt activities including investments and payroll.
• Prepare and present analyses and reports to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Strategic thinking

Change management

Education

Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MPS preferred)

Job description

Chief Financial Officer – Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA)

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is seeking a civic‑minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with at least ten years of experience in government or public finance. The role is central to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) and involves strategic leadership, financial planning, treasury operations, capital project oversight, and technology vision to support a seamless transit system for the Chicago region.

Responsibilities

• 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 aligned with the CFO responsibilities.
• Develop, in conjunction with the Executive Director, senior staff and Service Boards (CTA, Metra, and Pace), policy recommendations to the Agency Board on transit finance administration and operations issues that align with state legislation and the position summary.
• 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.
• Direct all cash and debt management activities including investments, accounts payable, payroll, and the financing process of obtaining funding for capital projects.
• Manage and coordinate the development of sound financial statements, review work of auditors, and ensure timely issuance of financial statements and reviews.
• Ensure information systems and technologies, including hardware, software, cybersecurity, and information assets, are managed and support the agency’s business objectives.
• Direct the project management office providing oversight of capital projects at the Service Boards.
• Plan the activities of the Department, develop objectives and policies, and monitor Department goals.
• Identify the need for new procedures, reports, and computer systems to improve finance and operational work, and coordinate implementation.
• Direct and coordinate staff and consultant resources to ensure accurate, efficient execution and coordination with internal and external parties.
• Prepare and present comprehensive analyses and reports to the Executive Director, Board, Service Boards, and other stakeholders.
• Convene task forces to address priority issues related to Service Board transit finance administration and operations.
• Direct the development of the Ten‑Year Financial Plan with input from Service Boards.
• Direct and coordinate the human resource management function of the Department, ensuring fair selection, training, performance appraisals, and promotions.
• Act consistently with the agency’s strategic goals and objectives while providing high‑level service to internal and external customers.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field preferred: MBA, MPA, or MPS.
• More than ten (10) years of related experience in government or public finance, with progressively responsible roles in finance administration, budgeting, treasury, project management, and auditing.
• Experience in multiple finance administration and operations positions with exposure to policy development.
• Senior management experience and management of information technology staff.
• Strong knowledge and analytical skills in plan development, project management, systems planning, operations analysis, and accounting.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex transit finance documents.
• Experience acting as an agency spokesperson.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining and supporting recommendations to both internal and external contacts.
• Ability to manage diverse staff and programs.
• Proven expertise in leading organizational change within complex, multi‑stakeholder environments using effective communication, change‑management principles, and problem‑solving.
• Exceptional strategic thinking capabilities aligned with evolving strategic direction.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $187,068 (competitive and may vary for highly qualified candidates). Relocation not available.

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Pension, Tuition Assistance, 401(k).

How to Apply

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Legal and Employment Notes

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5‑45 apply to this position. Employees must be aware that if offered non‑RTA employment while employed at the RTA, or within one year immediately after ending RTA employment, they 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.