Security Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Security Operations Manager jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, concentrated in corporate security, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and financial services, with openings at every level from security supervisor through senior director. Chicago anchors the market and drives the majority of hiring, with Naperville and Rockford adding significant volume through manufacturing headquarters, distribution campuses, and regional healthcare networks. Well-established employers such as United Airlines, Advocate Health Care, and Zurich North America regularly seek security operations managers to oversee physical security programs, incident response, and cross-functional risk management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 26+ Security Operations Manager jobs
Shift Available: 10 PM - 8:30 AM CST, 4 days/week
The Role
Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking an on-site Physical Security Operations Center (SOC) Specialist to join our Asset Protection team. This role focuses on physical security and business continuity. SOC Specialists monitor security systems, respond to incidents, and coordinate with internal teams and law enforcement to protect our people, facilities, and assets.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong situational awareness, and approaches challenges with a solutions-based and adaptable mindset. They will need to multi-task effectively, make sound decisions under pressure, and always communicate clearly.
Responsibilities
- Monitor CCTV, alarm systems, critical event management (CEM) platforms (Everbridge), and access control platforms to detect and respond to security incidents across GTI facilities.
- Act as the first point of contact for physical security events, including panic and hold up button activations, alarms, and emergency notifications.
- Coordinate with internal partner teams (cybersecurity, IT, facilities, etc.) to mitigate business operations disruptions and restore normal operations.
- Liaise with site leadership and law enforcement during and after incidents to ensure safety and compliance.
- Execute incident management protocols, document events accurately, and maintain detailed logs.
- Deliver real-time situational awareness and risk assessments to leadership during critical events.
- Manage service calls for security equipment and support troubleshooting through ticketing platforms.
- Perform remote audits, alarm testing, and credential updates.
- Participate in After Action Reviews (AARs) to identify improvement opportunities and recommend actionable solutions.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of security protocols, emergency operations plans, and business continuity processes.
Qualifications
- 3+ years in physical security, dispatch, emergency operations, or SOC environment is preferred.
- Experience with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, and access control systems is preferred.
- Adaptable and solutions-oriented, with strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills under pressure.
- Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to work nights/weekends and adapt to changing priorities.
- Professional integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- High School Diploma preferred; college degree preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver's license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
Shift Available: 10 PM - 8:30 AM CST, 4 days/week
The Role
Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking an on-site Physical Security Operations Center (SOC) Specialist to join our Asset Protection team. This role focuses on physical security and business continuity. SOC Specialists monitor security systems, respond to incidents, and coordinate with internal teams and law enforcement to protect our people, facilities, and assets.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong situational awareness, and approaches challenges with a solutions-based and adaptable mindset. They will need to multi-task effectively, make sound decisions under pressure, and always communicate clearly.
Responsibilities
- Monitor CCTV, alarm systems, critical event management (CEM) platforms (Everbridge), and access control platforms to detect and respond to security incidents across GTI facilities.
- Act as the first point of contact for physical security events, including panic and hold up button activations, alarms, and emergency notifications.
- Coordinate with internal partner teams (cybersecurity, IT, facilities, etc.) to mitigate business operations disruptions and restore normal operations.
- Liaise with site leadership and law enforcement during and after incidents to ensure safety and compliance.
- Execute incident management protocols, document events accurately, and maintain detailed logs.
- Deliver real-time situational awareness and risk assessments to leadership during critical events.
- Manage service calls for security equipment and support troubleshooting through ticketing platforms.
- Perform remote audits, alarm testing, and credential updates.
- Participate in After Action Reviews (AARs) to identify improvement opportunities and recommend actionable solutions.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of security protocols, emergency operations plans, and business continuity processes.
Qualifications
- 3+ years in physical security, dispatch, emergency operations, or SOC environment is preferred.
- Experience with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, and access control systems is preferred.
- Adaptable and solutions-oriented, with strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills under pressure.
- Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to work nights/weekends and adapt to changing priorities.
- Professional integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- High School Diploma preferred; college degree preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver's license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
See All 26 Security Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSecurity Operations Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Operations Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security operations manager jobs across Illinois.
- Active PERC card issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation required
- Five or more years of progressive security management or law enforcement leadership experience
- CPP, PSP, or equivalent ASIS International certification strongly preferred by Illinois employers
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, security management, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience managing security operations centers, access control, and surveillance systems
- Strong knowledge of OSHA workplace safety standards and Illinois emergency management protocols
Security Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security operations manager in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a valid Permanent Employee Registration Card, known as a PERC card, issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which involves a background check and application through IDFPR. From there, the typical path combines a degree in criminal justice or security management with several years of supervisory experience in security, law enforcement, or the military. Earning an ASIS International certification such as the Certified Protection Professional strengthens your candidacy significantly with larger Illinois employers.
How much do security operations managers make in Illinois?
Security operations managers in Illinois earn a median of about $59,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $38,820 for the lowest 10% to over $95,020 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security operations managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring security operations managers in Illinois right now include Allied Universal, bp, and Rivian, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major healthcare systems, and logistics hubs means demand is distributed across corporate, clinical, and industrial security programs throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most security operations manager jobs?
Chicago, Normal, and Evanston have the most security operations manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its density of corporate headquarters, hospitals, airports, and financial institutions, while suburban markets like Naperville reflect the large company campuses and distribution centers along the Interstate 88 corridor that maintain dedicated security operations teams.
Are there remote security operations manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Security operations managers typically oversee physical sites, personnel, and on-site incident response, which limits full remote work. About 45% of security operations manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve program oversight, policy development, or enterprise risk management rather than day-to-day physical security supervision.
How can I get hired as a security operations manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a security officer or shift supervisor with an Illinois-licensed contract security firm such as those that staff Chicago's hospitals, transit facilities, and corporate towers, then building toward management. Obtaining your PERC card first is essential. Large Illinois healthcare networks and university systems often promote from within, so applying for security coordinator or dispatch roles gives you visible footing. Pairing field experience with an ASIS associate membership and enrollment in a criminal justice or security management program at an Illinois community college accelerates the transition.
Where can I find and apply to security operations manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to security operations manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each employer without any intermediary steps.
See All 26 Security Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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