What Does a Chief Operating Officer Do?

The chief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a company. They are typically the second in command, reporting directly to the chief executive officer (CEO). The COO is responsible for leading the execution of strategies developed by the senior management team and providing the company with operational, managerial and administrative procedures. They are also responsible for communicating and encouraging growth between the executive team and all employees.

The COO will develop the goals of the CEO and board of directors into strategies and operational objectives that will be implemented throughout the organization. They will also describe the vision and time frame for achieving these goals. This is why the position of chief operating officer is almost omnipresent in companies that require intensive use of operations, such as the airline and automotive industries, as well as in organizations that operate in hypercompetitive and dynamic markets, such as high-tech companies. An operations director (COO) is responsible for managing the business operations of a company.

The chief operating officer is accountable to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is among the corporation's highest-ranking employees. There may be two chief operating officers in a large corporation who cover several businesses within the company. The COO will provide leadership and strategic vision to the organization, as well as effectively communicate and encourage growth between the executive team and all employees. The traditional chief operating officer is the member of executive management who is responsible for maintaining and driving operating results within a company. Chief operating officers, by virtue of their inherent talents and organizational position, are highly visible and powerful.

An operations manager position requires many years of experience in various facets of a company's operations. Understanding what makes a chief operating officer successful is vital because their effectiveness is fundamental to the fate of many companies. If your company needs help finding the perfect chief operating officer (COO), don't hesitate to contact us.