People Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL
People Operations Manager jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Loop, River North, and Fulton Market, where technology firms, healthcare systems, and professional services companies drive consistent hiring demand. Employers posting roles right now include EY, JLL, and Bain & Company. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 165+ People Operations Manager jobs
Serves as the primary operational partner for frontline employee relations, performance management coaching, employee engagement initiatives, and corrective action oversight. Working alongside specialized team members (Payroll Manager, HR Generalist - Payroll, and HR Generalist - Benefits/Leaves/WC), this role ensures consistent policy enforcement, manages employee recognition programs, reviews disciplinary documentation, and prepares front employees separation analyses for executive review.
- Frontline Employee Relations (ER) & Investigations
Serve as the primary HR intake point for frontline, staff-level, and hourly employee relations inquiries, interpersonal conflicts, and policy clarification -For assigned region (s)-.
Reviews preliminary fact-finding, gather witness statements, and document workplace complaints for staff-level issues.
Scope Boundary: Any employee relations issues involving Administrators, Department Heads, or Executive Leadership are escalated immediately to Executive HR Leadership. Complex harassment, discrimination, or legal threat cases at any level require executive co-investigation.
Other duties to support the Vice President of Human Resources as assigned.
- Corrective Action Quality Control & Separation Consultations
Act as the mandatory quality-control checkpoint for all frontline disciplinary documentation (Progressive Discipline Process). Audit documentation to ensure facts are objective, policy citations are accurate, and past precedents are met before issuance.
Separation Consultation & Prep: Prepare comprehensive separation documentation for potential involuntary terminations (compiling past disciplinary history, and risk assessments). Partner with Executive HR Leadership in consultation meetings to present findings and recommendations.
Scope Boundary (CRITICAL): Executive HR Leadership retains sole authority over approving and executing all involuntary separations across all organizational levels. The Generalist provides file prep, analysis, and consultation only.
Other duties to support the Vice President of Human Resources as assigned.
- Employee Engagement, Culture & Recognition
Own and execute the organizational Employee Engagement Calendar, including staff appreciation events, newsletter, and recognition programs.
Partners up with the HR team to design and implement creative engagement initiatives.
- General
Ensures that all employee information is kept confidential.
Respect and maintain confidentiality of the office, its records and restricted information
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Promotes the company’s mission and philosophy.
Maintains a positive and professional demeanor with all Employees.
Performs other duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate and work with all levels of the company’s Employees effectively.
Ability to recognize and communicate problems appropriately.
Ability to relate to the public, Residents, families, Employees and other professionals appropriately.
Ability to maintain accurate records and provide information as requested and required.
Ability to communicate proficiently in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to lift up to 10 to 20 pounds regularly.
Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (ADP Workforce Now preferred).
Ability to analyze information and report research results.
Employee is organized, has data entry skills, pays attention to detail, and ensures accuracy.
Flexibility to travel within the Midwest as needed.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Knowledgeable in Employment Law, Conflict Resolution and positive enforcement. 3-5 years of Human Resources experience preferred.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources/Psychology and/or related field.
Serves as the primary operational partner for frontline employee relations, performance management coaching, employee engagement initiatives, and corrective action oversight. Working alongside specialized team members (Payroll Manager, HR Generalist - Payroll, and HR Generalist - Benefits/Leaves/WC), this role ensures consistent policy enforcement, manages employee recognition programs, reviews disciplinary documentation, and prepares front employees separation analyses for executive review.
- Frontline Employee Relations (ER) & Investigations
Serve as the primary HR intake point for frontline, staff-level, and hourly employee relations inquiries, interpersonal conflicts, and policy clarification -For assigned region (s)-.
Reviews preliminary fact-finding, gather witness statements, and document workplace complaints for staff-level issues.
Scope Boundary: Any employee relations issues involving Administrators, Department Heads, or Executive Leadership are escalated immediately to Executive HR Leadership. Complex harassment, discrimination, or legal threat cases at any level require executive co-investigation.
Other duties to support the Vice President of Human Resources as assigned.
- Corrective Action Quality Control & Separation Consultations
Act as the mandatory quality-control checkpoint for all frontline disciplinary documentation (Progressive Discipline Process). Audit documentation to ensure facts are objective, policy citations are accurate, and past precedents are met before issuance.
Separation Consultation & Prep: Prepare comprehensive separation documentation for potential involuntary terminations (compiling past disciplinary history, and risk assessments). Partner with Executive HR Leadership in consultation meetings to present findings and recommendations.
Scope Boundary (CRITICAL): Executive HR Leadership retains sole authority over approving and executing all involuntary separations across all organizational levels. The Generalist provides file prep, analysis, and consultation only.
Other duties to support the Vice President of Human Resources as assigned.
- Employee Engagement, Culture & Recognition
Own and execute the organizational Employee Engagement Calendar, including staff appreciation events, newsletter, and recognition programs.
Partners up with the HR team to design and implement creative engagement initiatives.
- General
Ensures that all employee information is kept confidential.
Respect and maintain confidentiality of the office, its records and restricted information
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Promotes the company’s mission and philosophy.
Maintains a positive and professional demeanor with all Employees.
Performs other duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate and work with all levels of the company’s Employees effectively.
Ability to recognize and communicate problems appropriately.
Ability to relate to the public, Residents, families, Employees and other professionals appropriately.
Ability to maintain accurate records and provide information as requested and required.
Ability to communicate proficiently in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to lift up to 10 to 20 pounds regularly.
Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (ADP Workforce Now preferred).
Ability to analyze information and report research results.
Employee is organized, has data entry skills, pays attention to detail, and ensures accuracy.
Flexibility to travel within the Midwest as needed.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Knowledgeable in Employment Law, Conflict Resolution and positive enforcement. 3-5 years of Human Resources experience preferred.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources/Psychology and/or related field.
See All 165+ People Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago
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Find JobsPeople Operations Manager Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- EY10
- JLL7
- Bain & Company7
- Box3
- AXIOM3
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
People Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a people operations manager job in Chicago?
Focus your search on Chicago's Loop, Fulton Market, and River North districts, where technology companies, financial services firms, and healthcare organizations concentrate their HR teams. Candidates with experience in HRIS implementation, workforce planning, or DEI program management stand out in this market. Networking through local SHRM Chicago chapter events and targeting mid-size tech and fintech employers that are actively scaling also gives applicants a meaningful edge.
Which companies hire people operations managers in Chicago?
Chicago people operations manager roles are posted by EY, JLL, and Bain & Company and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's employer mix includes large enterprise companies headquartered downtown, fast-growing tech and healthtech startups in Fulton Market, and professional services firms that maintain sizable people operations teams across the metro area.
Are there remote people operations manager jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though remote availability depends on the role's scope, since people operations managers who handle employee relations, onboarding, and in-office culture programs typically work on-site, while those focused on HR analytics, systems, or policy tend to work remotely more often. About 59% of people operations manager openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements most common among Chicago's technology and professional services employers.
How can I get a people operations manager job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is moving into a people operations manager role from an HR coordinator or HR generalist position at a mid-size Chicago company, particularly in the technology, healthcare, or nonprofit sectors that tend to develop internal talent. Roles at Chicago-area hospital systems, university administrative offices, or growing Fulton Market startups often promote from within, and building experience with HRIS platforms like Workday or BambooHR makes candidates significantly more competitive for that first manager-level opening.
Which industries hire the most people operations managers in Chicago?
The sectors hiring the most people operations managers in Chicago are Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's status as a hub for enterprise technology, financial services, and major healthcare systems means these industries maintain large, dedicated people operations functions that regularly open manager-level positions.
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