Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $100 CAD credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored jobs are 4.5X more likely to result in a hire.**
  • Invite matched candidates to apply
  • Increase your visibility in job search results
  • Appear to more candidates longer

Chief Operating Officer Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Chief Operating Officer, or a COO, controls the manufacturing, production, sales , and personnel matters in an organization. Their duties include reading and listening to reports from department heads, informing Managers about policy changes, and creating company budgets.

Build a Job Description

What does a Chief Operating Officer do?

Chief Operating Officers make sure businesses run smoothly by coordinating the actions of many different department heads and locations. They make sure that the business complies with local laws and regulations, while keeping their inventory and property secure at all times. Chief Operating Officers help companies find new ways to please customers, expand their client base, and improve their reputations. They also attend meetings with other executives and department heads. Chief Operating Officers speak with investors and customers with large orders or contracts to ensure that they are satisfied with the business they are receiving, and through it, would encourage future investments and purchases.

Build a Job Description

Chief Operating Officer Job Description Examples:

Chief Operating Officer duties and responsibilities

Chief Operating Officers work in a variety of industries. They usually set office at large companies, and they spend most of their time supervising others and speaking with investors, executives, and shareholders. Chief Operating Officers sometimes attend networking events, give lectures at conventions, and talk to members of the media about the company’s newest products or services. Some of the other duties and responsibilities in a Chief Operating Officer job description may include:

  • Developing new sales areas and markets
  • Planning and directing marketing or advertising campaigns
  • Hiring, training, and managing department heads and other members of upper management
  • Creating sales presentations for potential investors

Chief Operating Officer skills and qualifications

Successful Chief Operating Officers are friendly, polite, professional, and persuasive. They can help a variety of employees get along with each other, and they are good at resolving conflicts and letting people know about the benefits of products or services that their organization offers. Chief Operating Officers also need extensive knowledge about the company, its competitors, and the industry it works in. Top skills and qualifications for Chief Operating Officers include:

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication
  • The ability to work under pressure
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills
  • Adaptability and proven efficiency in dealing with unforeseen situations
  • Familiarity with social media, industry publications, and common vendors and subcontractors
  • An understanding of how market research works and what the results mean for the business

Chief Operating Officer experience requirements

Most Chief Operating Officer jobs require at least three years of experience in a similar role. Some positions will accept candidates who worked as department heads or other senior managers, while others look for applicants with at least 10 years of experience.

Chief Operating Officer education and training requirements

Most Chief Operating Officer positions require a bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, or a related field. Many companies prefer individuals with a master’s degree. In some industries and provinces, a certification or licence may be required.

Chief Operating Officer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Chief Operating Officer is $116,967 per year. This rate may depend on the candidate’s education, experience, location, and industry they are working on.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Chief Operating Officer isn’t exactly what your business is looking for, here are some similar job description samples that may meet your needs:

Ready to Hire?Build a Job Description

Chief Operating Officer job description FAQs

How is a Chief Operating Officer different from a Chief Administrative Officer?

Chief Operating Officers implement changes, and they work to improve the overall operations of a company. They make decisions such as choosing the location for a factory or deciding when to upgrade equipment, and they follow the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or CEO. Chief Administrative Officers, on the other hand, help the CEO perform administrative tasks. They make sure that effective procedures are in place for disciplining employees, awarding raises or bonuses, approving vacation days for employees, and more. Chief Administrative Officers also see to it that the company complies with local laws.

Who does a Chief Operating Officer report to?

Chief Operating Officers usually report directly to the CEO or the owner/s of a company. They also give updates to the board of directors in a regular basis. Some people r efer to Chief Operating Officers as Senior Vice Presidents, and they often replace CEOs when their terms end. They supervise Chief Financial Officers, Chief Administrative Officers, and a variety of other executives to carry out the CEO’s orders. Some organizations have two Chief Operating Officers who work as a team.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found