Division Manager or Manager, Fare Integration

Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Pension plan or 401(k) salary match

Transit benefits

Twelve paid holidays and one floating

Parental leave

Flexible Spending Account

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

NITA seeks a Division Manager or Manager, Fare Integration to lead the design and refinement of the regional fare policy framework and oversee the transition to a unified fare system across CTA, Metra, and Pace by 2030.

The role reports to the Director of Planning & Performance and coordinates with NITA IT, legal, procurement, and external partners to ensure equity, policy alignment, and sustainable funding for regional fare initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Planning, Public Admin, Engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years transit planning experience for Division Manager.
• 4–6 years supervisory/management experience.
• Experience drafting technical requirements for fare technologies.
• Ability to manage complex fare operations and product development.
• Self-directed with strong problem solving and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and ongoing refinement of regional fare policy framework.
• Develop analytical models for revenue, ridership, and equity impacts.
• Coordinate with CTA Ventra, Metra, and Pace for unified fare system.
• Manage vendor relationships and interagency agreements.
• Track implementation plans with milestones and risk registers.
• Coordinate with FTA and other stakeholders for compliance.
• Conduct Title VI and environmental justice analyses.
• Prepare materials for Board and public hearings.

Skills

Fare policy experience

Fare payment systems

ERP systems

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Effective communication

Analytical skills

Education

Master’s degree in Planning/Public Admin/Engineering/OR

Tools

Project management tools

Data analysis software

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 critical role with the newly formed Division Manager or Manager, Fare Integration position for the Capital Programming & Planning department. The incumbent reports to the Director of Planning & Performance and leads the development, coordination, and implementation of NITA’s regional fare policy framework as outlined in the NITA Act. This position serves as NITA’s principal technical and policy resource on fare structure, farebox recovery strategy, equity analysis, and the integration of fare payment systems across the three operating divisions. The Division Manager will play a central role in the region’s transition to a unified fare system by 2030, working closely with CTA, Metra, Pace, the NITA Board, and external stakeholders to build a regionally coherent, financially sustainable, and equitable fare 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.

As NITA’s unified fare requirements and duties are determined through the transition process, this position will lead their team and coordinate with the transit agencies and partners to deliver a more unified fare system for riders.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the design and ongoing refinement of NITA’s regional fare policy framework, including fare structure recommendations, transfer policy, discount and subsidy programs, and multi-modal pass products.
• Develop analytical models to assess the revenue, ridership, and equity impacts of proposed fare changes across CTA, Metra, and Pace.
• Serve as NITA’s program manager for the integrated regional fare system required under SB 2111, coordinating with CTA’s Ventra platform, Metra’s ticketing infrastructure, and Pace’s payment systems toward a unified, interoperable architecture by 2030.
• Manage vendor relationships, interagency agreements, and technology roadmaps in coordination with NITA IT, legal, and procurement staff.
• Develop and track a detailed implementation plan with milestones, risk registers, and contingency frameworks; report progress to the NITA Board and operating divisions on a regular cadence.
• Coordinate with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other external stakeholders to ensure program alignment with federal requirements and funding eligibility.
• Conduct Title VI and environmental justice analyses for all proposed fare changes, ensuring NITA’s fare policies do not disproportionately burden low-income, minority, or transit-dependent riders.
• Develop and maintain regional fare equity framework drawing on ridership data, demographic analysis, and peer benchmarking to inform policy recommendations.
• Track the performance of existing fare discount and subsidy programs (including reduced-fare programs, employer pass partnerships, and subsidized programs targeting low-income riders) and recommend improvements. Coordinate efforts and priorities with NITA’s Office of Disability Policy and Planning.
• Participate in strategies for engaging riders, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders in the fare integration process.
• Serve as NITA’s primary liaison to CTA, Metra, and Pace fare policy and revenue management staff, facilitating alignment on fare products, payment system standards, and regional coordination.
• Prepare materials for NITA Board and public hearings on fare-related matters, including policy briefs, presentations, and public comment summaries.
• Oversee the NITA Transit Benefits Program Expansion and team.
• Coordinate with the IDOT transition consultant and other resources to draft the requirements for a future state unified fare system.
• 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 in a related field including Planning, Public Administration, Engineering or Operations Research, other business, or government required.
• Division Manager must have seven to ten (7 – 10) years’ experience and Managers must have four to six (4 – 6) years’ experience of progressively responsible transit or transportation planning experience in a public or private planning, operational delivery, or revenue position required.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ of demonstrated direct supervisory/management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with drafting technical requirements for fare technologies and hardware components.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex fare operational environments and product development programs.
• The ideal candidate will be self-directed, possess strong problem solving, quantitative, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Skills:

• Technology: Demonstrated proficiency in the use of enterprise resource systems tools. Experience with fare payment systems, digital platforms, and emerging transit technologies is highly desirable. Experience implementing a new fare system is a plus.
• 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

A Division Manager role typically offers salaries near $123,000 and shall consider a Manager tier for candidates who fit the manager role typically at salaries near $99,825. NITA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates. (The final scale of the classification for this position will be based upon the selected candidates demonstrated experience and qualifications.)

For more information about NITA, visit our website at https://www.rtachicago.org/.

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 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.