COO Jobs in Illinois
COO jobs in Illinois are actively sought across the state's deep roster of industries, with demand concentrated in financial services, healthcare systems, manufacturing, and technology, at levels from emerging operations leaders through senior executive. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the country for executive operations roles, with Peoria and Rockford adding meaningful volume in manufacturing and distribution. Major employers with lasting Illinois presences include United Airlines, Caterpillar, and Northwestern Medicine, all of which regularly hire coos and senior operations executives. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
Assistant Director of Operations - Financial Aid (CS27-073)
To build on a strong foundation of achievement and contribute to the realization of its ambitious institutional goals, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) invites applications for the position of Assistant Director of Operations - Financial Aid (CS27-073). As a premier metropolitan university, SIUE is committed to advancing social and economic mobility while shaping the workforce of the future. Grounded in a comprehensive, broad-based education and enriched by hands-on research opportunities, SIUE equips its students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global marketplace and positively impact their communities.
Why SIUE?
Employing more than 2,400 faculty and staff members, SIUE is one of the largest employers in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. A study by SIUE School of Business faculty shows the University has a $1.3 billion annual economic impact on the region. Each year, the University's presence generates almost 9,000 additional jobs and more than $250 million in labor income for the area.
What You Will Do
- Oversees unit reconciliation process and procedures.
- Develops and implements system to reconcile financial aid disbursement and corresponding reporting requirements.
- Ensures financial aid disbursements, adjustments, and account balances have been processed accurately and in accordance with state regulations.
- Assist with federal, state, and institutional annual and ad hoc reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
- Resolves discrepancies between financial aid cash management and disbursement records, institutional systems, and external reporting systems.
- Oversees and supervises communication hub operations and assigned staff.
- Provides guidance and training to communication hub staff.
- Determines work assignments and reviews work product to ensure efficient and accurate customer service is provided.
- Ensures staff are up-to-date on financial aid issues, processes, and procedures to better assist clients utilizing the hub.
- Oversees workflow coordination.
- Reviews existing operations for workflow inefficiencies.
- Works with Associate Director to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer service within the communication hub and Financial Aid as a whole.
- Assists junior level staff communicating with students, parents, and university departments regarding complex and unusual financial aid reconciliation or disbursement cases.
FLSA: Exempt
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, humanities, social sciences, or a closely related field to the position.
- One (1) year (12 months) of professional experience working in student services, financial aid/loans or a closely related field within higher education or a related agency.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of accounting procedures, fiscal controls, and financial management principles, practices, and methods.
Skill in managing time, organizing and prioritizing work assignments, and responding quickly and effectively to changing priorities and challenges.
Skill in providing effective customer service and communicating clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
Ability to resolve difficult or complex situations and to conceptualize, organize, analyze, and interpret data, policies, rules, and regulations.
Ability to manage, supervise, and motivate others in the effective and timely completion of assigned duties and responsibilities.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and appropriate customer service.
Supplemental Information
Civil Service Information: Civil Service Application - FAQs
Application Instructions: How to Apply - Step by Step
Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position.
Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver’s License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days is grounds for immediate separation.
Classification: State Universities Civil Service System Classification Number: 5011 – SUCSS Classification Title. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the State Universities Civil Service System website at: https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Veterans: Veterans who qualify for preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten (10) working days of submitting an application. The required proof of eligibility includes, at a minimum, a copy of the veteran's DD214/DD215 form (Department of Defense), NGB22 form (National Guard), or Discharge Orders or DD256 Discharge Certificate (Reserves). For help in determining the appropriate proof of eligibility to submit, please refer to the Guide for Veteran Document Verification.
Pre-Employment Screening: All external candidates who receive a job offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening for this position. The screening process will encompass a criminal background check and, where applicable, other background checks such as a drug screen, verification of employment and education or licensure/certification, reference checks, and/or checks with relevant government registries. Please note that all job offers are contingent upon successful completion of the required screening process.
Work Authorization Information:
Visa Sponsorship & F-1/J-1 Visas
SIUE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States and visa sponsorship for this position will not be provided.
International students at SIUE on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for full-time or part-time civil service positions with permanent status.
E-Verify
SIUE is not currently enrolled in or participating in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program.
SIUE does not use E-Verify to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees through the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security databases. Therefore, the University cannot legally employ individuals who are on OPT STEM Extension, as we cannot provide an E-Verify case number, participation confirmation, or related documentation.
SIUE complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements, including completion and maintenance of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for all employees as required under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Accommodation: If you are unable to utilize our online application system and need to request an accommodation, please reach out to us at 618-650-2190 or via email at: careerinfo@siue.edu
EEO Statement
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.
We value your interest and look forward to reviewing your application. For questions or more information, please email careerinfo@siue.edu.
Description
Assistant Director of Operations - Financial Aid (CS27-073)
To build on a strong foundation of achievement and contribute to the realization of its ambitious institutional goals, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) invites applications for the position of Assistant Director of Operations - Financial Aid (CS27-073). As a premier metropolitan university, SIUE is committed to advancing social and economic mobility while shaping the workforce of the future. Grounded in a comprehensive, broad-based education and enriched by hands-on research opportunities, SIUE equips its students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global marketplace and positively impact their communities.
Why SIUE?
Employing more than 2,400 faculty and staff members, SIUE is one of the largest employers in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. A study by SIUE School of Business faculty shows the University has a $1.3 billion annual economic impact on the region. Each year, the University's presence generates almost 9,000 additional jobs and more than $250 million in labor income for the area.
What You Will Do
- Oversees unit reconciliation process and procedures.
- Develops and implements system to reconcile financial aid disbursement and corresponding reporting requirements.
- Ensures financial aid disbursements, adjustments, and account balances have been processed accurately and in accordance with state regulations.
- Assist with federal, state, and institutional annual and ad hoc reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
- Resolves discrepancies between financial aid cash management and disbursement records, institutional systems, and external reporting systems.
- Oversees and supervises communication hub operations and assigned staff.
- Provides guidance and training to communication hub staff.
- Determines work assignments and reviews work product to ensure efficient and accurate customer service is provided.
- Ensures staff are up-to-date on financial aid issues, processes, and procedures to better assist clients utilizing the hub.
- Oversees workflow coordination.
- Reviews existing operations for workflow inefficiencies.
- Works with Associate Director to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer service within the communication hub and Financial Aid as a whole.
- Assists junior level staff communicating with students, parents, and university departments regarding complex and unusual financial aid reconciliation or disbursement cases.
FLSA: Exempt
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, humanities, social sciences, or a closely related field to the position.
- One (1) year (12 months) of professional experience working in student services, financial aid/loans or a closely related field within higher education or a related agency.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of accounting procedures, fiscal controls, and financial management principles, practices, and methods.
Skill in managing time, organizing and prioritizing work assignments, and responding quickly and effectively to changing priorities and challenges.
Skill in providing effective customer service and communicating clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
Ability to resolve difficult or complex situations and to conceptualize, organize, analyze, and interpret data, policies, rules, and regulations.
Ability to manage, supervise, and motivate others in the effective and timely completion of assigned duties and responsibilities.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and appropriate customer service.
Supplemental Information
Civil Service Information: Civil Service Application - FAQs
Application Instructions: How to Apply - Step by Step
Illinois Residency Requirement: Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position.
Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver’s License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days is grounds for immediate separation.
Classification: State Universities Civil Service System Classification Number: 5011 – SUCSS Classification Title. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the State Universities Civil Service System website at: https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Veterans: Veterans who qualify for preference must provide proof of eligibility within ten (10) working days of submitting an application. The required proof of eligibility includes, at a minimum, a copy of the veteran's DD214/DD215 form (Department of Defense), NGB22 form (National Guard), or Discharge Orders or DD256 Discharge Certificate (Reserves). For help in determining the appropriate proof of eligibility to submit, please refer to the Guide for Veteran Document Verification.
Pre-Employment Screening: All external candidates who receive a job offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening for this position. The screening process will encompass a criminal background check and, where applicable, other background checks such as a drug screen, verification of employment and education or licensure/certification, reference checks, and/or checks with relevant government registries. Please note that all job offers are contingent upon successful completion of the required screening process.
Work Authorization Information:
Visa Sponsorship & F-1/J-1 Visas
SIUE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States and visa sponsorship for this position will not be provided.
International students at SIUE on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for full-time or part-time civil service positions with permanent status.
E-Verify
SIUE is not currently enrolled in or participating in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program.
SIUE does not use E-Verify to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees through the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security databases. Therefore, the University cannot legally employ individuals who are on OPT STEM Extension, as we cannot provide an E-Verify case number, participation confirmation, or related documentation.
SIUE complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements, including completion and maintenance of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for all employees as required under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Accommodation: If you are unable to utilize our online application system and need to request an accommodation, please reach out to us at 618-650-2190 or via email at: careerinfo@siue.edu
EEO Statement
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.
We value your interest and look forward to reviewing your application. For questions or more information, please email careerinfo@siue.edu.
See All 178+ COO Jobs in Illinois
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Find COO JobsCOO Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COO Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Marketing & Advertising
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in COO jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional operations teams at a senior level
- Proven ability to translate strategic goals into measurable operational outcomes
- Experience managing P&L responsibility within a complex Illinois-based or multisite organization
- Strong background in process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma
- Illinois executive leadership experience in the relevant industry sector preferred
COO Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a coo in Illinois?
Becoming a coo in Illinois typically requires a bachelor's degree in business, operations, or a related field, with many employers preferring an MBA. There is no state-issued license specific to the coo role in Illinois, but industry credentialing such as Lean Six Sigma certification or healthcare operations credentials can strengthen a candidacy. Most Illinois coos advance through progressively senior operations, finance, or general management roles within their industry before reaching the executive level.
Which companies hire coos in Illinois?
Employers hiring coos in Illinois right now include University of Illinois, BayMark Health Services, and The University of Chicago, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major health systems, and large manufacturers means steady executive-level operations demand across the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most coo jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Romeoville have the most coo openings in Illinois. Chicago leads by a wide margin because of its dense concentration of corporate headquarters, major health systems, and financial services firms, while Peoria and Rockford generate steady demand from manufacturing anchors like Caterpillar and the regional healthcare networks that serve central and northern Illinois.
Are there remote coo jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are rare. The coo role is fundamentally about leading people and operations in person, which limits remote arrangements compared to analytical or project-based roles. About 50% of coo openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the remote portion most common at technology companies and digital-first businesses where operational oversight does not require a daily physical presence.
How can I get hired as a coo in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building a foundation in operations management or business analysis and working toward a director-level role before pursuing executive positions. Large Illinois employers such as Northwestern Medicine, United Airlines, and Caterpillar run formal leadership development programs that move high-potential managers into senior operations roles. Starting as an operations manager, director of strategy, or general manager in a division gives candidates the P&L and team-leadership experience Illinois employers require, and earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt adds a credential that is consistently valued in manufacturing and healthcare hiring.
Where can I find and apply to coo jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to coo jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings posted by Illinois employers. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and industry, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 178+ COO Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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