Fare Policy & Integration Lead (Hybrid)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan / 401(k)

Hybrid work environment

Transit benefits

Twelve paid holidays + floating day

Competitive leave package

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) in Chicago seeks a Division Manager or Manager, Fare Integration to lead the design and implementation of a regional fare policy framework. You will coordinate with CTA, Metra, Pace, and external partners to move toward a unified fare system by 2030, aligning policies and technologies across agencies.

The role reports to the Director of Planning & Performance and requires strong leadership, analytical, and policy skills to guide multi-agency

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Engineering or Operations Research, or related field.
• 7–10 years’ transit/transportation planning experience (Division Manager) or 4–6 years (Manager).
• 3+ years of direct supervisory/management experience.
• Experience drafting technical requirements for fare technologies and hardware components.
• Ability to manage complex fare operational environments and product development programs.
• Self-directed with strong problem solving, quantitative, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and refinement of regional fare policy framework including fare structure and transfer policies.
• Develop analytical models for revenue, ridership, and equity impacts across CTA/Metra/Pace.
• Coordinate with CTA Ventra, Metra ticketing, and Pace payment systems toward a unified architecture by 2030.
• Manage vendor relationships and interagency agreements; coordinate with IT, legal, and procurement.
• Prepare implementation plans with milestones, risks, and reporting to the NITA Board.

Skills

Fare policy

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Analytical skills

Public policy

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

Fare payment systems

ERP systems

Job description

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) in Chicago seeks a Division Manager or Manager, Fare Integration to lead the design and implementation of a regional fare policy framework. You will coordinate with CTA, Metra, Pace, and external partners to move toward a unified fare system by 2030, aligning policies and technologies across agencies.

The role reports to the Director of Planning & Performance and requires strong leadership, analytical, and policy skills to guide multi-agency