Description: Connect Transit, which provides fixed route, express, and paratransit service throughout the twin-cities of Bloomington-Normal, Ill., seeks a visionary, community-minded, and collaborative leader with a proven history of executive level experience in the transit industry — and first-rate communications skills — to serve as its next General Manager.

The Bloomington-Normal metro area, population 170,000, boasts an excellent quality of life/cost of living, with first-class health care, cultural, recreational and higher educational institutions that depend on Connect’s services, including Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Lincoln College and Heartland Community College. Home to State Farm Insurance and electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian, the metro area is also strategically located within two hours of Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.

Duties and Responsibilities: Reporting directly to and working closely with the Board, the GM will be responsible for day-to-day operation of the system, and will help develop and advance short- and long-range strategic plans that proactively seek out and integrate community and stakeholder input, and focus on delivering safe, industry-leading transit services, while providing the highest rate of return on taxpayer and funding partner investment.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate must be conversant with the latest transit industry management practices and emerging technologies, and possess exceptional interpersonal, presentational, and communication skills. Of critical importance is the proven ability to build constructive relationships with a host of external stakeholders, from community groups and local, state and federal elected officials, to funding and regulatory partners, such as the FTA and Illinois DOT. He/she must foster an inclusive and equitable working environment, leveraging the experience of the system’s existing management and operating teams, encouraging staff development and diversity, and maintaining positive labor relations.

Application Procedure: For more a more complete job description and information about how to apply, go to www.harrisrand.com, click on “Current Searches” or contact Christopher Boylan, Harris Rand Lusk Executive Search: cboylan@harrisrand.com.