The CEO is one of the most important figures in a company, responsible for making decisions that affect the entire organization. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the chief operating executive, responsible for managing all operations and functions of the company. The COO's job is to streamline the operations and policies of the organization. COO stands for Chief Operating Officer and is a position found only in larger companies. The COO reports to the CEO and serves as their right-hand person, overseeing all general operations of the business.
These duties are usually handled by the CEO, but when a company grows too large, an operations director is needed to lighten the load. The COO is the corporate executive who oversees all ongoing business activities within the company. They report to the CEO and are typically second in command. Alternative titles for the COO include Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. The board of directors appoints or hires the CEO as the highest position in any company's corporate hierarchy.
They only report to the board and no one else. In senior management, the most prominent positions are CEO, COO, and CFO: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. A CEO (or Chief Executive Officer) is the highest-ranking employee in a company and is responsible for managing and maintaining its overall health. The Chief Operating Officer (COO), who reports to the CEO, is second in command and is responsible for implementing and overseeing day-to-day operations, processes, and strategies to achieve the company's mission and vision. Generally speaking, the CEO is considered to be at the top of a company's hierarchy while the president is second in command; however, depending on the company's corporate governance and structure, these roles may differ.
The COO also works closely with other executives such as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and other officials to make necessary operational adjustments.
