Senior Board Advisor

26-SBA

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 for the Senior Board Advisor position for the Executive Office department. Under the direction of the Board Chairman, the incumbent serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Board Chair and NITA Board. Promotes effective governance, clear communication, and alignment between Board leadership and executive management. Helps advance the Board's priorities and supports informed, timely decision-making.

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.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Works with the Executive Director and senior staff to assist with the development and administration of NITA's programs, policies, goals, and objectives as directed by the Board Chair and NITA Board.
• Monitors Agency-wide projects to ensure compliance with the Board Chair and NITA Board directives/policies.
• Facilitates regular communication between the Board Chair and Board members, as well as amongst board members, identifying areas of differing perspectives, coordinating follow-up on shared priorities, and ensuring alignment on key matters.
• Partners with Government Affairs and External Engagement to liaise with key external stakeholders. Ensures that Board Chair and NITA Board priorities are represented and updates from external organizations are communicated back to the Board.
• Participates in the agenda development and coordination of materials for the Board.
• Conducts research and analysis of various projects for the Board Chair and NITA Board.
• Manages a comprehensive onboarding and orientation program for Board members, including governance, statutory, financial, operational, ethics, and transit-industry briefings, by partnering with internal NITA departments.
• Establishes the Board's annual governance calendar, including meetings, committee activities, statutory deadlines, policy reviews, budget milestones, and strategic planning sessions.
• Advises the Board Chair and NITA Board on emerging issues, stakeholder concerns, legislative issues, and matters requiring Board attention.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, political science, office management or related field is required.
• Master's degree is a plus.
• Seven to ten (7 to 10) years of related experience in community relations, governmental, or public affairs.
• Must have experience with senior project management, project research/analysis, and previous work as advisor/assistant to senior executive of large organization.
• Experience in developing, writing, reviewing and editing reports, correspondence, presentations, and briefing materials.

NITA offers a highly competitive benefits package:

• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by NITA 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 ranging from $141,450 to $176,813 for highly qualified candidates.

For more information about NITA, visit our website at https://nita.illinois.gov/.

To apply online: Select Sign-In and enter your username and password for your account or create an account by selecting "Register" and completing the "New Account Registration" information.

For assistance during your application process (e.g., password login, errors, attaching documents), please contact us at: humanresources@nita.illinois.gov.

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