Principal Analyst, Treasury

26-PAT

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is seeking to fill a critical role with a detail oriented and analytical professional to serve as the Principal Analyst, Treasury for the Treasury division.  Under the general direction of the Manager, Treasury, the incumbent monitors, analyzes, and reports on the Agency investment and liability portfolios, Agency liquidity, and funding. Invests Agency funds and assists in debt issuance activities.  Assists in the development, implementation, distribution, and reporting of additional sales tax and new sales tax on motor fuel funding to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace (collectively, the Service Boards). Utilizes the Agency’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Treasury Management System for reporting, funding, debt service, purchase requisitions, and ad hoc analysis. Conducts analysis and business improvement initiatives as needed to advance the goals and objectives of the Agency. On occasion, may coordinate and lead projects.

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. Calculates twice-monthly debt service payments and reviews results with Agency bond trustee. Processes payments and prepares reports on Agency debt portfolio.
2. Compiles and monitors monthly capital bond drawdowns to Service Boards and other bond proceeds held by bond trustee. Prepares Letters of Direction to bond trustee for purchases of securities based on available capital assets account cash balances.
3. Following the Agency Investment Policy and the Illinois Public Funds Investment Act, invests Agency funds and funds held by the bond trustee in irrevocable trust accounts. Prepares quarterly report on investment portfolio performance.
4. Manages Agency’s Certificates of Deposit (CD) portfolio. Initiates renewal process of maturing principal amounts and researches Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) ratings of potential and existing banks within the CD portfolio. Maintains and updates CD activities within custom cash and investments software module.
5. Determines actual monthly and annual Service Board funding receivables and payables. Distributes results within the Agency and to the Service Boards. Processes funding receivables, payables, and payments.
6. Orchestrates the development and implementation of calculation and disbursement protocols for additional 2026 PA 104-0557 sales tax and new sales tax on motor fuel funding as well as development of new sales tax allocation and reporting processes based on PA 104-0457 funding formula commencing in Fiscal Year 2027.
7. Partners with the Treasury Manager to forecast and monitor the Agency’s liquidity position, utilizing custom Cash Management software to deliver cash flow trends and reporting.
8. Monitors Agency account balances to determine availability of funds. Executes reports and queries on bank portals. Initiates or approves transfers of funds between Agency accounts and electronic payments.
9. Assists in short/long-term debt issuance activities, including the preparation of official statements, offering memoranda, rating agency presentations, and other Board documents.
10. Continuously evaluates and improves financial processes and systems. Recommends implementation of best practices and technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Continuously creates or updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to maintain optimal documentation within the Treasury Division.
11. Performs other related duties as required or assigned that contribute to the effectiveness of the department and the Agency.