Transit Systems 2026-06-27 2026-08-01

Chief Executive Officer

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
New Orleans, Louisiana

Job ID: 178261
Job Status: Full-time

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is seeking a transformational leader to take its top job – Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the Board of Commissioners, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) heads the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall administration and operation of the Transit System activities.

RTA gets people moving around New Orleans. The organization’s transit services bring hard-working commuters to their jobs, students to their schools, and fun seekers to entertainment, shopping areas, and restaurants. They provide mobility to residents of the city as well as tourists, taking them to and from their hotels to historical neighborhoods and countless attractions. RTA’s system serves multiple parishes and includes five streetcar lines, 30 bus routes, two ferry routes, and paratransit services, offering passengers more than 14 million rides every year.

As the most visible leader of the organization, the CEO will be expected to lead by example. The CEO will manage with integrity, demonstrate professional communications within the organization and with customers, employees, and other stakeholders. The CEO must establish a collaborative and highly communicative relationship with the Board and provide meaningful detail on all matters presented to them for review or action. The successful CEO will understand and serve the diverse communities and constituencies of New Orleans; enable residents and visitors to use public transit for the fulfillment and countless life activities; bring creativity and innovation to deliver services in a cost-effective manner that connects people to vital services and opportunities; and unify the organization around its mission.

A typical way of demonstrating qualifications is to:
Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s in Business Administration, Management, Transportation, or a related field, or any combination of equivalent education and experience. Have accrued ten (10) years of experience in progressively more responsible executive-level administration and management in a transit organization that would have allowed major policy development and decision-making.

Previous experience in multi-modal transit systems is preferred.

Additionally, candidates must demonstrate superb organizational abilities, success dealing with personnel resources, the ability to establish working relationships with various public organizations and entities, and the ability to conceive, develop, and implement the most effective means of providing responsive public transportation to the areas served. The selected candidate will also demonstrate a knowledge of or have the ability to rapidly acquire the knowledge of laws, ordinances, and regulations governing the activities of RTA.

This is an excellent opportunity that offers attractive compensation, relocation, and equal opportunity. RTA values diversity at all levels of its workforce – diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. To be considered, please visit https://www.KL2connects.com/openings, select the RTA listing, and upload your letter of interest, resume, salary expectations, and four (4) or five (5) professional references (preferably supervisory and including name, title, phone number, email address, and relationship to you). For more information on this exciting opportunity, please connect with KL2’s Christian Kent at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in New Orleans RTA!

When applying, mention you saw this listing on TransitTalent.com.

Transit Job Listing - Chief Executive Officer