Director of Planning & Performance

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Transit benefits

Pension/401(k)

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Flexible Spending Account

PSLF

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) seeks a Director of Planning and Performance for the Capital Programming and Planning department. The role leads planning, analytics, and regional coordination with CTA, Metra, Pace, and other partners to advance a unified transit system.

Ideal candidate brings 10+ years in transit planning, strong leadership, and hands‑on experience with capital programs and performance management.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree required in Planning, Public Administration, Engineering or Operations Research, etc.
• 10+ years of transit or transportation planning experience in public or private sector.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory/management experience.
• Familiarity with metropolitan transportation planning environments and modeling/forecasting tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning department, coordinating with CTA/Metra/Pace and other partners.
• Develop, implement and monitor regional transit strategic plans and performance‑based policies.
• Oversee data services/analytics and GIS capabilities; manage capital programs.
• Prepare reports and presentations for the Agency Board and stakeholders.
• Foster interagency collaboration and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Policy development

Strategic leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Multi‑tasking

Education

Master’s degree in Planning/Public Administration/Engineering/Operations Research or related field

Job description

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 a newly formed role with the Director of Planning and Performance for the Capital Programming and Planning department. The incumbent reports to the Chief Transition Officer and is responsible for managing, directing, and coordinating overall operations for the Planning department. The incumbent coordinates with the service boards (i.e., CTA/Metra/Pace), other government entities, civic partners, and department staff to support complex regional and local planning and transit‑supportive land‑use programs; data services and analytics; regional transit planning teams to advance the regional transit strategic plan.

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.

The successful candidate should possess a strong understanding of the regional planning landscape, highly developed information‑management, and people‑management skills with a keen eye towards analytical and administrative excellence and demonstrated experience with innovation and collaboration both internally and with external partners. As NITA’s planning requirements and duties are determined through the transition process, this position will lead the team and coordinate with the transit agencies and partners to deliver a more unified transit system for riders.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Understanding of and experience in managing transit expansion projects, bus priority and BRT projects, alternative analyses, grant processes, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop, manage, and support the work plan for the department that consists of regional planning, local land‑use planning, and data services and analytics.
• Develop, implement, and support the regional transit strategic plan.
• Oversee the coordination to develop, implement, and monitor performance‑based policies and transit asset management of the Service Boards.
• Oversee development, evolution, and coordination of the Community Planning and the Access to Transit programs and management of projects and align them to meet NITA’s requirements.
• Overhaul internal operations and GIS capabilities of NITA’s public website that includes the region’s transit data to meet NITA’s new requirements.
• Oversee regional service planning, a regional signage program, a new combined NITA transit benefit program, and other regional coordination activities.
• Oversee the administration of the federal Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.
• Guide the development and implementation of planning and analysis tools and models.
• Reorient NITA to take on a leadership position in planning and research activities with Service Boards, DOTs, CMAP, other public agencies, universities, and non‑profits.
• Develop reports for and deliver presentations to the Agency Board of Directors, management and staff, counterparts at the Service Boards, local and regional governments and planning bodies and other public transportation related entities.
• Coordinate resources and reports with Chief Internal Auditor to comply with state and federal oversight regulations. Follow up on findings from internal and external audits to ensure remedial action.
• 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 duties and assist in special projects as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Master’s Degree required in Planning, Public Administration, Engineering or Operations Research, other Business, or Government or a related field is required.
• More than ten (10) years of progressively responsible transit or transportation planning experience in a public or private planning or research concern required. Must include planning development and analysis experience in a project team environment.
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated supervisory/management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with metropolitan transportation planning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex transit planning studies and capital programs.
• Familiarity with transportation modeling and forecasting methods and tools.

Skills

• Policy development and regulatory alignment: Experienced in crafting, implementing, and evaluating policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Strategic leadership: Capable of setting clear vision and direction, motivating teams, and guiding complex initiatives to achieve organizational goals.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to build strong, trust‑based working relationships. Skilled at aligning stakeholders with differing priorities.
• Communication: Expertise in distilling complex information into clear, actionable insights. Ability to present difficult findings tactfully while maintaining credibility and independence.
• Multi‑Tasking: Effectively manages multiple priorities at once, staying organized, accurate, and able to shift plans as priorities shift.

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
• Flexible Spending Account
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program

This role typically offers salaries near $162,668, 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/.

**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.**