26-MRC

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is seeking to fill a critical role with a strategical and analytical professional to serve as the Manager of Regional Coordination for the Regional Planning division.  Under the general direction of the Division Manager, Regional Planning, serves as Manager of the Regional Coordination team responsible for implementation of transit customer information programs, including inter-agency signage, wayfinding signage, and real-time and digital information at and near bus stops and rail stations.  Serves as an integrator between the Regional Coordination and Strategy & Policy teams for wayfinding/customer information, service planning standards, and strategic plan project execution.  Leads planning studies and projects, manages consultant contracts, synchronizes signage/wayfinding, and coordinates extensively with CTA, Metra, Pace, IDOT, CDOT, and county and municipal stakeholders.  Works with the Division Manager on development of regional processes and policies supporting Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) and as directed by agency leadership and Board.  Prepares and presents comprehensive analyses to agency leadership, Board, Service Board staff, and other agencies. 

A new era has begun for transit in the Chicago region.  The Illinois General Assembly recently passed a landmark transit funding and reform bill. This legislation includes an estimated $1.2 billion in new annual operating funding for CTA, Metra, and Pace.  The bill reorganizes the transit system under a new regional authority, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), transforming the RTA to take on new responsibilities including setting fares, enhancing and coordinating service, overseeing long-term capital planning, and leading implementation of unified rider-focused tools such as more seamless mobile ticketing (see more details).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Direct and supervise the implementation of wayfinding and signage coordination projects and expansion of the interagency signage program.
2. Develop and execute policies on all matters of coordination between the transit service boards including customer information coordination, interagency transfers, service coordination, fare payment and technology initiatives.
3. Provide strategic vision and guidance to staff in conducting and interpreting research and analysis of service board business and operating plans, GIS analysis, data support, ITS programming/projects, and assessing user needs.
4. Manage grant funded projects and initiatives.
5. Serve as agency representative on planning studies conducted by the Service Boards, Counties, IDOT the MPO and other agencies to close transit gaps, streamline transfers, and align service changes with customer information updates.
6. Develop work scopes and budgets, consultant requests for proposals or staff work plans as appropriate.
7. Direct consultant and other vendor work ensuring timeliness and quality of deliverables.
8. Prepare materials and make presentations of study results and recommendations to agency leadership and Board, Service Board senior management, and other agencies.
9. Participate in the development of objectives and policies for the Regional Planning Division.
10. 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.
11. Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation, Engineering, Urban Planning or a related field, or additional equivalent work experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of four to six (4 – 6) years’ experience in transportation or related field, with project management experience.
• A minimum of one (1) year of direct supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to lead/develop staff members.
• The ideal candidate will be self-directed, possess strong problem solving, quantitative, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of federal planning processes and regulations is desired.
• Familiarity with safety protocols and procedures for active construction sites.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi‑jurisdictional projects involving municipal, county, state, and/or transit agencies.

• Intermediate to Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Proficiency in managing and analyzing data using databases and related tools, including the ability to query, organize, and interpret information from systems such as GIS, asset inventories, or transit data platforms.
• Skilled in facilitating consensus among separate parties/organizations with differing priorities. 

The RTA offers highly competitive benefits package:

• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by the RTA 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
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Insurance/Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership discount
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program

This role typically offers salaries near $99,825, and the RTA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates.

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

To apply online: Select Login and within the drop-down box, “Login” to your account or create an account by selecting "Register.”

For assistance during your application process (e.g. password login, errors, attaching documents), please contact us at: [email protected]

An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

**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-RTA employment while employed at the RTA, or within one year immediately after ending RTA 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.**