Manager, Fare Collection

RTD - Regional Transportation District of Denver, CO (RTD); United States; On-site; USD 92,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional Transportation District (RTD) is seeking a Senior Manager, Revenue to coordinate and improve the fare collection program. You will partner with business units, vendors, and IT teams to ensure effective operations and data standards.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in program management, procurement, and contract administration, with experience in fare or payment systems preferred. RTD offers a collaborative environment and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Sciences/Information Technology, or Engineering or equivalent.
• Five or more years of experience supporting or managing programs with cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and vendor performance.
• Experience developing operating policies, procedures, or processes.
• Experience coordinating short- and long-term planning for system or program improvements.
• Experience with fare collection, payment systems, or similar customer-facing technology systems is preferred.
• Experience creating and managing operating budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manages and coordinates activities supporting the fare collection program with business units, end users, vendors, and IT teams.
• Serves as the primary point of contact and program liaison for stakeholder needs and concerns related to fare collection.
• Establishes and maintains communications with agency management, department heads, and end users regarding fare collection operations and needs.
• Manages vendor relationships including procurements, contract execution and SLAs, and vendor activities related to system configuration and access control.
• Coordinates and directs development and tracking of budgets for the fare collection program and develops cost-benefit analyses.
• Documents operating policies, standards, and procedures for the fare collection team and related units.
• Analyzes system utilization and user experience to support planning and overall system health.
• Develops short- and long-term goals to improve program effectiveness and supports new technologies.
• Researches and stays current on emerging technologies to support procurement and program improvements.
• Supports RTD's Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI, and ADA plans in contracting and procurement practices.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract administration

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Sciences/Information Technology, or Engineering

Job description

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections! When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position is responsible for coordinating, directing, and continually improving fare collection activities and for creating, maintaining, and communicating operational processes for the program. This position serves as the primary liaison for the fare collection program and works across the agency to support program operations, system performance, vendor management, and continuous improvements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL:

• Manages and coordinates activities supporting the fare collection program with business units, end users, vendors, and information technology teams such as the IT Program Management Office, the Intelligent Transportation Systems Team, Treasury, Procurement, and the Cybersecurity Team.
• Serves as the primary point of contact and program liaison for stakeholder needs and concerns related to fare collection.
• Establishes and maintains communications with agency management, department heads, and end users regarding fare collection operations, system activities, program needs, and production activities.
• Manages, maintains, and monitors vendor relationships including procurements, contract execution and compliance, Service Level Agreements, and vendor activities related to system configuration, administration, monitoring, support, and access control.
• Coordinates and directs the development and tracking of capital and operating budgets for the fare collection program and develops business case justifications and cost-benefit analysis for proposed initiatives.
• Establishes and documents operating policies, standards, and procedures for the fare collection team and associated business units to ensure effectiveness of the program and compliance with policies and data standards.
• Analyzes and publishes metrics on system utilization and user experience to support planning and monitoring of overall system health.
• Develops short-term and long-term goals and objectives to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the fare collection program and support the implementation of new technologies.
• Conducts research and remains current on emerging technologies and solutions in support of procurement and program improvement efforts.
• Takes action to advance the goals of RTD's Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI, and ADA Plans, as applicable to contracting, procurement practices, and the fare collection program.
• OTHER: All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Sciences/Information Technology, or Engineering is required or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Five (5) years of experience supporting or managing programs, projects, systems, and/or operations involving cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and vendor performance.
• Experience in developing and implementing operating policies, procedures, and/or processes.
• Experience coordinating short- and long-term planning and supporting the implementation of system, program, or operational improvements.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with fare collection, payment systems, revenue systems, transit technology, or similar customer-facing technology systems.
• Experience creating and managing operating budgets.
• Experience managing projects, including coordinating scope, schedule, budget, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Experience with procurement activities, contract development and administration, and Service Level Agreements.
• Experience in process and/or systems mapping.
• OR An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with fare collection, payment systems, revenue systems, transit technology, or similar customer-facing technology systems.
• Experience creating and managing operating budgets.
• Experience managing projects, including coordinating scope, schedule, budget, stakeholders, and deliverables.
• Experience with procurement activities, contract development and administration, and Service Level Agreements.
• Experience in process and/or systems mapping.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

Key Competencies & Characteristics:

• Knowledge of principles and practices related to vendor management, contract administration, procurement, and Service Level Agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex programs and initiatives involving multiple business units, vendors, technical teams, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze system performance, operational needs, and program data to identify issues, evaluate options, and support recommendations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, vendors, consultants and other external partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate specialized information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple initiatives and responsibilities while meeting established deadlines.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.

CAREER MAP:

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Senior Manager, Revenue

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 11/3/2026 at 11:59PM.

Pay Range: $92,003.00 - $129,954.50 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail].

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.

RTD provides public transportation services in an eight-county region centered in Denver, Colorado. As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand-responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year-over-year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night.

RTD is committed to full equal opportunity and affirmative action for all applicants and employees. Equal opportunity ensures all qualified applicants and employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against with regard to the individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. RTD participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.