Budget Analyst II - Revenue

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, gathers, analyzes, and interprets all CTA revenue streams (fare and non-farebox) to inform decisions. Extracts data from multiple sources including fare collection systems, ridership tracking tools, public funding, and non-farebox revenue streams (e.g., advertising, leasing, grants), ensuring the data is clean, accurate, and ready for detailed analysis. The analyst will be responsible for all reporting, analysis, budgeting and forecasting for revenue.

Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates easy-to-understand reports and dashboards to present key findings visually using visualization software (PowerBI, Excel).
• Summarizes historical ridership patterns, revenue trends, and usage of different fare products (single fares, monthly passes, special fares).
• Identifies emerging patterns or shifts in ridership behavior and fare revenue.
• Detects outliers or anomalies that may indicate problems such as underreporting, fraud, or operational issues.
• Provides concrete, data-driven recommendations based on analysis.
• Creates presentations, reports, and charts to present for various meetings, with illustrate findings presented in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand.
• Analyzes fare and non-farebox revenue data to ensure accurate revenue assumptions, targets, forecasts, and budgets the revenue streams helping to align operational costs and budgets.
• Collaborates with other analysts and stakeholders to understand their data needs, report requirements, and business objectives, ensuring the analysis and reports meet the needs of the organization.
• Performs analysis of fare policies, documentation, processes, and procedures, including analysis of special fare programs such as free, reduced, student, and U-Pass programs.
• Conducts independent and collaborative research and benchmarking to help identify new or innovative approaches to revenue generation, ridership growth, fare equity, and other departmental and agency priorities.
• Monitors operational impact of management decisions based on data and analytics presented, identifies opportunities to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position may include the following jobs:

Job Title

None

CHALLENGES

• Combining data and information from various sources to generate insightful conclusions and leveraging predictive analysis to forecast trends and outcomes.
• Effectively translating complex technical topics and methodologies into clear, understandable language for non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that all audiences can grasp the key concepts and their implications.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Urban Planning, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Operations Research, Quantitative Analysis, Finance or a related field with three (3) years of experience in data management, data analysis, or process or program analysis, or a combination of education and experience relating to this position.
• One (1) year of SQL experience is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong skills with tools like PowerBI, Tableau, R, Python, or SQL for analyzing large datasets.
• Strong Excel skills needed for data manipulation, pivot tables, and formula-based analysis.
• Strong time and project management skills to strategically plan, prioritize, and execute projects efficiently, ensuring high-quality deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Ability to use statistical methods for forecasting future ridership trends and evaluating policy scenarios.
• Ability to develop financial models that incorporate both fare and non-farebox revenues.
• Ability to present complex data in a clear and accessible way for all stakeholders, including non-technical audiences.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with leadership as well as various departments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and related software as needed.