Chief Human Resources Officer – Metra Commuter Rail System – Chicago, Illinois

Public Sector HR Association; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 186,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension benefits

401(k) and 457 plan

Health insurance coverage

Job summary

Metra, Chicago's commuter rail authority, seeks a strategic CHRO to lead HR services for 3,400+ employees and oversee an $11.5M budget. The role reports to the Deputy Executive Director for Administration with dotted lines to the CEO, guiding talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and workforce planning.

The CHRO will drive succession planning, talent pipelines, and workforce readiness, while upholding ethics, transparency and broad collaboration across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration or related field, or equivalent experience (4 years).
• At least ten years of HR management experience, including seven years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working directly with executive or senior leadership; strategic planning and project management.
• Master’s degree and SPHR or SHRM-SCP credentials are highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR services for a workforce of 3,400+ and oversee an 11.5M budget.
• Collaborate across the organization, using KPIs to drive improvements.
• Advise on workforce implications of regional initiatives and strengthen succession planning.

Skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Executive collaboration

Complex problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR Management, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration or related field

Master's degree

Job description

Chicago, IL – Metra is a nationally recognized commuter rail system serving the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The system operates 242 stations on 11 rail lines and is the fourth busiest commuter rail system in the United States. Metra is entering a transformative period under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which is responsible for coordinating regional transit service, planning, funding, and fares. Metra is seeking a strategic, collaborative and data-driven human resources leader to serve as its next Chief Human Resources Officer. This position is a key member of the executive team and leads a comprehensive range of human resources services for a workforce of more than 3,400 employees. Labor relations and collective bargaining are led by a separate department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The CHRO reports to the Deputy Executive Director for Administration, with a dotted line to the Executive Director/CEO and oversees an $11.5 million budget and approximately 49 human resources professionals. The department administers talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, workforce and succession planning, employee development, workplace culture, engagement, equality, and inclusion. Direct reports lead Organizational Development, EEO and Compliance, Culture & Engagement, HR Operations, Compensation, Benefits and HRIS, and Talent Acquisition and Business Support. Approximately 2,600 employees are represented by 14 unions that negotiate 18 collective bargaining agreements.
• The CHRO will be a strategic thinker who can move multiple projects forward in an inclusive manner and collaborate effectively across the organization. Metra is committed to using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other metrics to evaluate processes, support accountability and implement improvements. The CHRO will serve as a strategic advisor on the workforce implications of regional transit initiatives and will help strengthen succession planning, develop talent pipelines, preserve institutional knowledge, and ensure workforce readiness as employees become retirement eligible.
• The CHRO will have leadership responsibilities requiring compliance with Metra policies and federal and state ethics laws. This leader will foster a culture of transparency, honesty and integrity and demonstrate strong business ethics in relationships with employees, customers, partners, competitors, suppliers, and contractual entities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $185,620 to $278,432, with an expected starting salary of $232,026, depending on qualifications and experience. Metra offers a highly competitive executive benefits package, including pension benefits, 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation options, and affordable health insurance coverage. Employees participate in both Metra’s pension program and the Railroad Retirement Board retirement system, with vesting after five years of service. Limited relocation assistance is available. Residency in the City of Chicago is not required.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling four years in Human Resources. At least ten years of human resources management experience, including seven years of supervisory experience, is expected, and experience working directly with executive or senior leadership is required. Candidates should bring strong knowledge of human resources best practices, strategic planning, project management, and complex problem solving. A master’s degree and SPHR or SHRM-SCP credentials are highly valued.