Operations Director Jobs in Illinois
Operations Director jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and professional services across seniority levels from emerging leaders through senior executives. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor the hiring market, with large, established employers such as Caterpillar, Advocate Health, and United Airlines regularly seeking operations directors to oversee complex, multi-site functions. Supply chain and process optimization specialists are the most consistently sought-after, reflecting Illinois's role as a central logistics and industrial hub. 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+ Operations Director Jobs in Illinois
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Find Operations Director JobsOperations Director Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Director 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 operations director jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale operational budgets
- Demonstrated ability to implement process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma
- Experience overseeing multi-site or multi-department operations across Illinois locations
- Strong command of enterprise resource planning systems and data-driven decision making
- MBA or advanced degree preferred for senior-level roles at Illinois headquarters or corporate divisions
Operations Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations director in Illinois?
Operations director roles in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, but the path consistently runs through a bachelor's degree in business, operations, or a related field, followed by progressive management experience. Illinois's large manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors are the most common entry points. Earning a Lean Six Sigma certification, Project Management Professional credential, or an MBA strengthens candidacy, particularly for corporate and multi-site roles based in the Chicago metro.
Which companies hire operations directors in Illinois?
Employers hiring operations directors 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 mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, major hospital systems, and large distribution networks means demand is spread across industries rather than concentrated in a single sector.
Which Illinois cities have the most operations director jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Romeoville have the most operations director openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the majority of demand as the state's corporate and logistics center, home to major headquarters and regional offices, while Peoria and Rockford generate consistent openings through their established manufacturing and healthcare employers.
Are there remote operations director jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since operations directors typically oversee facilities, teams, and physical workflows that require on-site presence. About 50% of operations director openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The functions most suited to remote work are strategic planning, vendor management, and reporting responsibilities within larger corporate structures.
How can I get hired as a operations director in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up through an operations coordinator, team lead, or plant supervisor role at a mid-size Illinois manufacturer or healthcare system, then building toward a director title. Large Illinois employers such as Advocate Health and Caterpillar run structured leadership development programs that advance high-performing managers into director-level positions. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or a PMP credential signals readiness for strategic responsibility and meaningfully accelerates promotion timelines in Illinois's industrial and healthcare sectors.
Where can I find and apply to operations director jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to operations director jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and industry background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 178+ Operations Director Jobs in Illinois
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