Division Manager or Manager, Real Estate & Joint Development

26-REJP

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, Real Estate & Joint Development position for the Local Planning and Program Management division.

Under the direction of the Division Manager, Local Planning and Program Management, the incumbent will help establish and lead NITA’s new Joint Development program, which focuses on development of transit agency-owned land. In addition to the Joint Development program design, the position will direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the activities of the Real Estate department, including the negotiation of real estate acquisition for joint development projects, negotiating long-term leases and sales of transit agency owned land, assessing private development opportunities, negotiating contracts with selected developers and securing NITA Board approval of Joint Development projects.

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.

Candidates must be able to develop and nurture stakeholder partnerships with local municipalities, the NITA Service Boards (i.e., Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace), land use developers, community groups and other regional agencies. The candidate will oversee the Real Estate Division and is responsible for staffing, supervising, training, assigning and reviewing the work of Division staff.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the establishment and roll-out of NITA’s Joint Development program in coordination with the transit-supportive development team and agency leadership.
• Serve as primary point of contact for questions regarding the Joint Development program, municipal partnerships and unsolicited proposals.
• Act as primary liaison between municipal representatives, Service Boards, private developers, community groups and legal counsel regarding the Joint Development program.
• Work with legal counsel to negotiate contracts and agreements with Service Boards, private developers and municipalities.
• Plan, direct, integrate and monitor the planning, predevelopment, competitive offerings and evaluation and selection of developers for negotiations and project development work.
• Develop project budgets and financing structures, including conducting financial analyses, site due diligence, market value assessments and feasibility of new projects using innovative financing sources.
• Manage project timelines for joint development initiatives. Ensure all phases from planning through execution are completed according to schedule and within approved budgets, proactively identifying and resolving delays to keep real estate projects on track.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory reporting outlined within the NITA act and required by other state/federal agencies.
• Oversee risk management plan for managing real estate properties.
• 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…