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Railroad Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Hallcon

Senior Manager Rail Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key corporate railroad clients, including operations executives and stakeholders * Manage and own key client books of business, including safety ...

hallcon

Senior Manager Rail Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key corporate railroad clients, including operations executives and stakeholders * Manage and own key client books of business, including safety ...

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Rail Operations Planner

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

$58K - $78K/yr

Position Title: Rail Operations Planner Position Type: Regular - Full-Time Grade: Grade 04 ... Support cost management efforts through improved railcar utilization, dwell reduction, invoice ...

STV

Senior Engineering Operations Manager

Chicago, IL

$116K - $133K/yr

STV is seeking a Senior Engineering Operations Manager to serve as a trusted operations leader and subject matter expert supporting transit and rail clients nationwide. This highly consultative role ...

WeDriveU

Operations Manager

Niles, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

... bus and rail passengers on four continents. Visit wedriveu.com to learn more about our company ... The Operations Manager (OM) will report to the General Manager and assist with all supervisory ...

Mobile Rail Solutions

Be Seen First

Operations Supervisor

Melrose Park, IL · On-site

Manage daily operations, schedules, and service delivery across assigned rail yards * Maintain working knowledge of routes, contractual, and customer requirements * Support hiring, onboarding, and ...

WeDriveU

Operations Manager

Niles, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

... rail passengers on four continents. Visitwedriveu.comto learn more about our company, clients and ... Hard Requirements: * 3+ years' experience in Operations Management Preferred Requirements: * Work ...

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Railroad Operations Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$32K

$65.4K

$122.2K

How much do railroad operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for railroad operations manager in Chicago, IL is $65,421.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,300.00 and $79,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a railroad operations manager do?

A Railroad Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of railway systems, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of trains, personnel, and cargo. They coordinate schedules, manage staff, and monitor compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Additionally, they troubleshoot operational issues, optimize resource allocation, and collaborate with other departments to maintain smooth railway operations. Their work is crucial for minimizing delays, improving service reliability, and ensuring the safety of both passengers and freight.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a railroad operations manager?

To thrive as a Railroad Operations Manager, you need in-depth knowledge of rail operations, transportation logistics, and safety regulations, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in transportation management or a related field. Familiarity with dispatching software, scheduling systems, and federal compliance tools is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills help manage diverse teams and respond effectively to operational challenges. These competencies ensure efficient, safe, and reliable rail service while maintaining regulatory compliance and high team performance.

What are some common challenges faced by a railroad operations manager, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Railroad Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as coordinating complex schedules, ensuring safety compliance, and managing unexpected delays due to weather or equipment issues. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are key to addressing these challenges. Proactively collaborating with dispatchers, maintenance crews, and logistics teams can help minimize disruptions and keep operations running smoothly. Staying updated on industry regulations and leveraging technology for real-time tracking also contribute to effective problem-solving in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Railroad Operations Manager vs Railroad Dispatcher?

AspectRailroad Operations ManagerRailroad Dispatcher
CredentialsExperience in rail operations, sometimes certifications in logistics or transportation managementTraining in dispatching, communication, and railroad safety protocols
Work EnvironmentOversees entire operations, manages teams, and coordinates across departmentsWorks in control centers, communicates with train crews and field personnel
Industry UsageUsed in managerial roles overseeing operationsUsed in daily train movement coordination

The Railroad Operations Manager focuses on overseeing overall rail operations, managing teams, and strategic planning. In contrast, the Railroad Dispatcher handles real-time train movements and communication. Both roles are essential in rail industry operations but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Railroad Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Railroad Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Railroad Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Railroad Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Railroad Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Railroad Operations Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,421 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

Senior Manager Rail Operations

Hallcon

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Hallcon rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 76 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

365th of 365 rated logistics

Job description

The Company
Hallcon is a transportation and infrastructure services company serving clients such as technology companies, manufacturers, railroads, universities, corporate business parks, hospitals, airports, public transportation networks, and more.
Hallcon provides essential services spanning multi-modal shuttle operations, integrated command centers, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, EV Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS), technology integration, analytics, business intelligence, fleet management, specialty cleaning, and overall rider experience performance.
The Role
Are you passionate about client service and ready to lead a collaborative, dynamic team? We are looking for an experienced client operations manager in Bedford Park to partner with and lead nationally distributed client and field operations teams. Equipped with pragmatic transportation/logistics operations experience, ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong mix of hands-on leadership, data-driven performance, and field team development.
Key Responsibilities
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key corporate railroad clients, including operations executives and stakeholders
  • Manage and own key client books of business, including safety, service level metrics, and profit levers
  • Mentor and develop field operations managers to successfully run client operations, inspiring engagement, leadership, and follow-through for dispersed field teams
  • Recommend, monitor, and optimize performance metrics
  • Recommend resource utilization and client process improvement opportunities
  • Proactively manage, avoid, and resolve service opportunities or challenges
  • Manage complex operational deployments and projects to optimize driver, fleet, and operational resources
  • Lead client operations discussions and strategic outcomes
  • Actively identify process improvement opportunities and recommendations
  • Collaborate effectively with client, executive, and field team members
  • 20-30% business travel anticipated
  • 100% onsite working environment at company offices or field offices (this role is not a remote work environment role)

Qualifications
  • 6+ years management experience in transportation/logistics, including collaboration with operations centers
  • Hands-on experience leading, developing, and cultivating field operations teams comprised of 5-10 team members
  • Demonstrated track record in leading client operations teams, client relationships, and management team updates
  • Proven client service and project management skillsets
  • Experience driving results across distributed, multi-state operations teams
  • Successful track record working in unionized environments
  • Strong project management skills and proven ability to drive daily/weekly outcomes and milestones
  • Solid Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) proficiency
  • Proficiency with analyzing data and metrics using Microsoft Excel
  • Experience using Microsoft Power BI dashboards or similar analytics platforms is a plus
  • Understanding of state/federal DOT and railroad-specific regulations
  • Bachelor's degree preferred
  • Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving skills
  • Asserts ownership for projects and assigned activities, meets deadlines

Does this opportunity resonate with you? Please share your background and be ready to share examples that can showcase your written communication and team leadership skills!

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