Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
Operations Project Manager jobs in Iowa concentrate in manufacturing, logistics, agribusiness processing, and healthcare operations, with demand running from mid-level coordinator roles up to senior program leads overseeing multi-site initiatives. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport are the strongest hiring metros, anchored by employers like Principal Financial Group, Collins Aerospace, and UnityPoint Health, all of which maintain large operations teams in the state. Supply chain optimization, lean process improvement, and cross-functional project delivery are the most in-demand specialties among Iowa postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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- Responsible for underground storage field activities, including injection and withdrawal operations, well performance monitoring, reservoir management, and coordination of maintenance activities to optimize system reliability.
- Provide management direction of the human, physical and monetary resources required to meet customer needs and maximize Northern's business, which includes receiving, transporting, compressing and delivering the required daily volumes of natural gas consistent with system demands and customer allocation rates using planned resources.
- Provide management direction to skill-based pay employees to ensure safe, reliable and diligent operations compliant with safety and environmental rules, practices and company policies, procedures and standards. Review and measure employee activities for assigned facilities to assure the work is organized and effectively accomplished by skilled employees.
- Ensure employees possess the correct skill sets to perform the operation and maintenance of assigned facilities. Establish required training and staffing changes for the skill-based pay employees to meet changing safety, environmental and government regulations, technology and operations requirements.
- Verify skill sets of each skill-based pay employee.
- Perform critical and meaningful reviews of each employee with input from team members, the team leader and other subject matter experts.
- Responsible for assigned employee's cost expenditures to meet capital and operations and maintenance budget requirements and ensure compliance with spending policies.
- Perform administrative activities necessary for the effective management of the department, including employee safety, selection and development of employees, salary administration, budget administration, employee counseling and motivation, organization goals and objectives, and planning, organizing, integrating, measuring and reporting the work performed within the department.
- Perform any additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
- Communications / Contacts Internal - Team leaders, regional director, directors, senior management and skill-based pay employees. External - Customers, government agencies and Berkshire Hathaway Energy affiliates.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration or related field or equivalent work experience. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)
- Requires six to ten years experience (and/or education combination) in field operations for compression, measurement and pipeline facilities, including three years supervisory/ management responsibilities or equivalent.
- Knowledge of business management, general accounting, computer operations and applications and administration skills is also required.
- Required competencies include interpersonal communications, leadership, diplomacy, conflict resolution, team building, project management and excellent planning.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
- Effective interpersonal and leadership abilities, including employee coaching and counseling skills. Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Must be self-motivated to upgrade and provide continual improvement of assigned facilities.
- Thorough knowledge of pipeline facility operation/maintenance procedures, codes and engineering standards.
- Project management skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple issues and projects concurrently, with attention to detail.
Direct Reports
- Responsible for underground storage field activities, including injection and withdrawal operations, well performance monitoring, reservoir management, and coordination of maintenance activities to optimize system reliability.
- Provide management direction of the human, physical and monetary resources required to meet customer needs and maximize Northern's business, which includes receiving, transporting, compressing and delivering the required daily volumes of natural gas consistent with system demands and customer allocation rates using planned resources.
- Provide management direction to skill-based pay employees to ensure safe, reliable and diligent operations compliant with safety and environmental rules, practices and company policies, procedures and standards. Review and measure employee activities for assigned facilities to assure the work is organized and effectively accomplished by skilled employees.
- Ensure employees possess the correct skill sets to perform the operation and maintenance of assigned facilities. Establish required training and staffing changes for the skill-based pay employees to meet changing safety, environmental and government regulations, technology and operations requirements.
- Verify skill sets of each skill-based pay employee.
- Perform critical and meaningful reviews of each employee with input from team members, the team leader and other subject matter experts.
- Responsible for assigned employee's cost expenditures to meet capital and operations and maintenance budget requirements and ensure compliance with spending policies.
- Perform administrative activities necessary for the effective management of the department, including employee safety, selection and development of employees, salary administration, budget administration, employee counseling and motivation, organization goals and objectives, and planning, organizing, integrating, measuring and reporting the work performed within the department.
- Perform any additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
- Communications / Contacts Internal - Team leaders, regional director, directors, senior management and skill-based pay employees. External - Customers, government agencies and Berkshire Hathaway Energy affiliates.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration or related field or equivalent work experience. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)
- Requires six to ten years experience (and/or education combination) in field operations for compression, measurement and pipeline facilities, including three years supervisory/ management responsibilities or equivalent.
- Knowledge of business management, general accounting, computer operations and applications and administration skills is also required.
- Required competencies include interpersonal communications, leadership, diplomacy, conflict resolution, team building, project management and excellent planning.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
- Effective interpersonal and leadership abilities, including employee coaching and counseling skills. Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Must be self-motivated to upgrade and provide continual improvement of assigned facilities.
- Thorough knowledge of pipeline facility operation/maintenance procedures, codes and engineering standards.
- Project management skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple issues and projects concurrently, with attention to detail.
See All 5 Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsOperations Project Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Project Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations project manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, operations, supply chain, or a related field required
- PMP certification or active pursuit of PMP credential strongly preferred by Iowa employers
- Three or more years managing cross-functional operations or process improvement projects
- Demonstrated experience with lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Proficiency in project management software such as MS Project, Smartsheet, or Asana
- Strong stakeholder communication skills including reporting to senior leadership
Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations project manager in Iowa?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain, or industrial engineering, followed by entry-level project coordinator or analyst work at an Iowa manufacturer, healthcare system, or logistics firm. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for this role, but the Project Management Professional credential from PMI carries significant weight with Iowa employers and is frequently listed as a hiring requirement at larger organizations.
How much do operations project managers make in Iowa?
Operations project managers in Iowa earn a median of about $96,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,000 for the lowest 10% to over $150,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire operations project managers in Iowa?
Employers hiring operations project managers in Iowa right now include Elanco, Emerson, and Nordex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's concentration of insurance headquarters, aerospace manufacturing, and regional healthcare systems means hiring stays relatively consistent throughout the year rather than clustering in seasonal bursts.
Which Iowa cities have the most operations project manager jobs?
Redfield, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge hold the most operations project manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates because of its dense cluster of financial services, insurance, and healthcare headquarters, while Cedar Rapids draws volume from aerospace and food processing manufacturers, and Davenport benefits from its position in the Quad Cities industrial corridor where distribution and manufacturing operations are concentrated.
Are there remote operations project manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and they are more common than in many operations roles, since project coordination work is largely desk-based and documentation-driven. About 100% of operations project manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting employer flexibility for the planning and reporting side of the work. Roles requiring direct floor supervision or on-site process observation are more likely to be fully in-person.
How can I get hired as a operations project manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a project coordinator or operations analyst role at a mid-size Iowa manufacturer or healthcare system, where structured rotations and mentorship programs are common. Employers like UnityPoint Health and large Des Moines insurers run associate project management tracks that accept candidates with a relevant degree and no direct PM experience. Earning a CAPM certification from PMI before applying signals commitment and gives a resume a measurable edge over uncredentialed candidates.
Where can I find and apply to operations project manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to operations project manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and industry focus, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No sign-up is required to see the listings.
See All 5 Operations Project Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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