Strategy Analyst

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority•Downers Grove, IL

About The Position

The Illinois Tollway is dedicated to providing and promoting a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. The Tollway is a user-fee system – no state or federal tax dollars are used to support maintenance and operations. Operations are funded by toll and concession revenues. In alignment with the Tollway’s strategic vision, the Strategy Analyst plays a critical role within the Strategy and Implementation Office, actively supporting the implementation of agency wide strategic initiatives and contributing to the ongoing maturation of risk management practices across the organization. This position is responsible for driving business process improvements, supporting organizational change initiatives, strengthening internal control programs, and assisting with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program activities. The Strategy Analyst collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiencies, recommend solutions to strengthen internal controls, and ensure agency-wide compliance with risk mitigation standards. By providing both operational and strategic guidance, this role fosters a culture of continuous improvement and supports the achievement of key organizational objectives. Success in this position requires strong critical thinking and analytical skills, integrity, and a demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and drive results. The ideal candidate shows initiative and motivation to make a meaningful impact. Building trust and fostering support throughout the Tollway’s business units is essential, and effective collaboration and partnership with diverse stakeholders is a key component of this role. A successful Strategy Analyst proactively identifies opportunities for improvement, applies sound judgment to complex issues, and consistently delivers meaningful contributions that advance organizational objectives. This position reports to the Chief Strategy and Implementation Officer and works closely with key stakeholders across Tollway business units.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field from a four-year accredited university; or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in audit, internal controls, risk management, consulting, or a closely related professional field.
Proven project management skills with experience leading and organizing cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment.
Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities to support complex projects and drive business improvements.
Strategic thinker with demonstrated expertise in interpreting and utilizing data for decision-making and risk mitigation.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and data analytics platforms.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on collaboration, initiative, integrity, and the ability to prioritize and deliver results as part of a team.
Ability to act as a liaison between departments, facilitating dialogue, resolving conflicts, and supporting operational improvements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in Business Management, Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Data Science, Engineering, or related field from a four-year accredited university.
Professional certifications such as CPA, CRMA, CIA, CISA, PMP, or CCMP are highly desirable.
Comprehensive understanding of risk management frameworks, methodologies, and principles (e.g., SOX, COBIT, NIST, CSA, PCI) with the ability to recommend and implement best-in-class controls, is preferred.
Experience supporting strategy, transformation and change management initiatives, including communication, training, and process adoption, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the execution and ongoing tracking of strategic initiatives outlined in the Tollway’s strategic plan, partnering with initiative leaders, department ambassadors, and cross-functional teams to monitor progress, identify risks, and recommend adjustments as needed.
Develop and maintain reporting mechanisms to communicate the status of strategic initiatives and related projects to executive management and relevant stakeholders.
Collaborate with Internal Audit to support annual planning and execution of internal control testing efforts; lead and coordinate internal control testing activities ensuring that all relevant risks are identified and mitigated with robust, well-designed controls that operate effectively.
Partner with process and control owners to evaluate, enhance, and remediate internal control gaps and findings, providing expert guidance on best practices and process improvements.
Manage the documentation and tracking of internal control gaps, deficiencies, and remediation actions.
Support the training and education of agency personnel on risks, internal controls, design of controls, testing results, and remediation plans.
Provide regular reporting and feedback regarding internal control testing results and program effectiveness.
Support the completion of enterprise risk assessments, working with leadership and other agency stakeholders to identify, evaluate, and prioritize risks across the organization.
Coordinate with risk owners to develop, implement, and monitor risk response and mitigation strategies.
Assist with the development and tracking of key risk indicators (KRIs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and report on risk exposure and program effectiveness, ensuring informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
Prepare ERM program update materials and reports for stakeholders, summarizing risk management outcomes and recommendations.
Actively support organizational change initiatives by collaborating with project teams to identify impacts, facilitate effective communication, and assist with the adoption of new processes or systems.
Assist with training and education of agency personnel on change management principles, ensuring understanding and engagement across the organizations.
Serve as a liaison between the Strategy and Implementation Office and department stakeholders, facilitating dialogue to address challenges, sharing best practices, and identifying opportunities for operational and process improvements.