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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The Director of Operations (D.O.) is a full-time team management, event management, and customer service position, emphasizing field management. Responsibilities include recruiting, training, leading, and managing Event Installers, Drivers, the Warehouse, and Operations Manager, as well as daily management of all jobs within the market. The Director of Operations provides leadership and support for the market, utilizing sound business management practices. The D.O. assures adherence to company policies and provides accountability for assets, budgets, profitability, personnel, and safe work practices. The D.O. also supports sales efforts and achieves the highest level of customer service. The ideal candidate has a solid professional presence, is tenacious, and can adapt, organize and multi-task. Works well independently, motivated, strong territory management skills, strong relationship-building skills, belief in excellence, results-driven, and strong planning skills.
Benefits
- Eligible for performance-based incentives in addition to base salary
- Safe Harbor 401k with 5% Employer Match
- PTO and Holiday Pay, including Floating Holiday
- Insurance Benefits including Medical (with HSA and FSA options), Dental, Vision, Life & Disability
Managing Quest Events and Customer Needs
The Director of Operations is responsible for all aspects of event management. The D.O. is accountable for leading the team to success for all jobs in their market. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assuring verification of details for all orders and transfers within the market. The Director of Operations will take customer phone calls, respond to emails, and ensure that the team performs all job-related functions promptly.
Responsibilities include:
- Quote and confirm orders
- Ensure accurate scheduling
- Communicate with the customer about their needs before all events. Confirm scope of work, billing information, dates and times, venue rules, including load-in and labor.
- Resolve customer service issues/complaints with a focus on retention.
- Work with the General Manager to ensure all administrative functions are up to date and accurate.
- Mastery of company products with the ability to train others
Managing, Recruiting, Training, and Leading Operations Team
The Director of Operations leads their team by example. They are responsible for training, coaching, and managing operations employees.
- Train Crew Leaders and Installers on all aspects of customer service and safety while instructing them on the best practices for each task
- Encourage the team in their duties and show them how to improve or refine their abilities to ensure outstanding customer service
- Ensure all training and record-keeping are up to date
- Minimize controllable costs
- Manage labor hours for efficiency
- Verify safety and government compliance
- Implement and maintain Standard Operating and Procedures (SOPs), ensuring all critical management controls are in place?
- Communicate company goals and values
Management of All Local Assets
The Director of Operations must verify and ensure local asset management by keeping the employees accountable for their duty of providing the best products and services to the customer.
- Monitor and verify the quality of assets via personal inspections, input from the installation and warehouse teams, and customer feedback.
- Verify the maintenance and upkeep of the market vehicle fleet. Ensure that the fleet is safe, maintained, functional, and in good appearance.
- Arrange the use of rental trucks and equipment as necessary
Skills and Abilities:
- 2+ years of successfully managing a team within the events, hospitality, or related industries with a focus on job execution.
- Degree or secondary education preferred; Certification in project management encouraged.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of the Tradeshow, Events, Hospitality, Audio Visual, and Convention Industries.
- Strong understanding of sales process and ability to collaborate successfully with the sales team.
- Exhibit the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously within strict deadlines.
- Working knowledge of DOT/Fleet compliance
- Experience effectively managing and motivating others with ability to recognize development opportunities
- Understand the importance of coaching, training and disciplinary action when needed
- Interviewing and employee selection skills
- High level of computer proficiency
- Issue resolution, negotiating and problem-solving skills with regards to customers and employees
- Ability to adapt to and maintain a varying schedule and be on call or work weekends, evenings, and holidays, as needed
- Proficient written and oral communication skills
- Recognize the importance of environmental, health, and safety
- Exceptional time management, organization, and attention to detail
- Must be able to speak, write, and understand English fluently
- Possess a valid drivers license and submit to an annual driving record review. This position is required to pass a DOT physical. Must be able to pass written and practical driving tests.
Other Requirements, Knowledge, Skill, Ability or Characteristics:
- Knowledge of CRM maintenance preferred.
- Understands general reporting processes including expenses
- Works well independently and is motivated and results driven
- Strong Territory Management Skills
- Strong Presentation Skills
- Strong Relationship-Building Skills
- Belief in Excellence
- Strong Planning Skills
- Highly ethical with unquestionable integrity and character
Physical Job Requirements:
- Must be able to lift 65 pounds
- Sitting at a desk/computer for hours a day
- Ability to work safely on stepladders and lifts?
- Standing, lifting, bending frequently and repetitively
- This position is required to pass a DOT physical.
Travel: Position may require some travel
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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
- 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.
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