Chief Financial Officer

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 the leadership role for the Chief Financial Officer position for the Finance, Innovation & Technology department. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the incumbent will provide strategic leadership in guiding the regional response at a pivotal moment for the region’s transit system.

Oversees a group of highly skilled professionals and provides counsel to leadership as the Agency and its partners develop and implement long-term funding solutions while supporting and advancing system-wide transformation and improvement. Success in this role will require experience and willingness to manage change thoughtfully and collaboratively. This work encompasses financial planning including the development of budgets, financial plans, accounting, treasury operations, and capital project management oversight.

The incumbent conducts and leads clear communication of financial analysis and policy recommendations to provide the Agency’s management and Board with information to make sound management and budgetary decisions. Working across departments, the incumbent will ensure that staff has access to finance administration and operations information that will assist the Agency in achieving cost effective, cost efficient, and service effective performance desired for a coordinated and seamless transit 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.

Critical to this success is a financial executive who can help guide the transformation of Chicago’s public transit. The regional transit system is at an inflection point, requiring a visionary and strategic financial leader. This high-impact role offers the chance to shape long-term funding solutions, drive system-wide transformation, and provide expert counsel to the Agency’s leadership and Board during a period of unprecedented change and opportunity.

We are seeking a seasoned, collaborative professional ready to make a significant and lasting impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the region's transit system.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Play a key role in transitioning the agency to NITA by identifying additional accountabilities in the legislation, facilitating organizational change, and working towards implementation in various activities that are aligned with the CFO responsibilities.
• Develop, in conjunction with the Executive Director, senior staff and Service Boards (Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace Suburban Bus), policy recommendations to the Agency Board on transit finance administration and operations issues that align with state legislation and as stated in the position summary. Ensure that the Department’s planned activities meet related strategic goals and priorities of the Agency.
• Direct the development and monitoring of the operating budget and multi-year plans of the Agency and the Service Boards. Strategize alternatives to budgetary pressures and present recommendations to the Agency Board. Facilitate adherence to state legislative mandated…