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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Overview

Open roles180+
Top employerAbbVie
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring64
Work type57% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 180+ COO jobs

Quest Events
Director of Operations
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Quest Events
Added 1d ago
Director of Operations
Quest Events
Chicago, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service
Customer Success
$80k - $90k/yr
51-200

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E
Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Construction & Home Services
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E
Added 1d ago
Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Construction & Home Services
EcoBuild and Green Attic
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Inventory Control
Logistics & Inventory
Warehouse Operations
On-Site

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Deaconess Health System
Assistant Director of Campus Operations - House Supervisor (RN)
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Deaconess Health System
Added 1d ago
Assistant Director of Campus Operations - House Supervisor (RN)
Deaconess Health System
Marion, Illinois
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
5,001-10,000

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Director, Agency Partnerships & Campaign Operations
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Added 1d ago
Director, Agency Partnerships & Campaign Operations
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Chicago, Illinois
Account Management
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
$160k - $180k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in communications

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Encore Global
Event Operations Director - Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
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Encore Global
Added 1d ago
Event Operations Director - Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Encore Global
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
$56k - $73k/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 180+ COO Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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COO Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Oak Brook
5 jobs
Northbrook
5 jobs
Springfield
5 jobs
Champaign
4 jobs
North Chicago
4 jobs
Peoria
3 jobs
Lombard
3 jobs
Mettawa
3 jobs

COO Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

AbbVie
AbbVie6 open roles
The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago6 open roles
Pearl Healthcare
Pearl Healthcare4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services10
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals6
  • Technology & Software5
  • Education3
  • Manufacturing3

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 AbbVie, The University of Chicago, and Pearl Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Oak Brook, and Northbrook 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 43% of coo openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 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 180+ COO Jobs in Illinois

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