What Does a Chief Operating Officer Do?
A chief operating officer oversees the internal operations of an organization, ensuring that daily activities support the company’s long-term strategic objectives. As the second-in-command to the CEO, the COO turns high-level vision into executable plans, managing multiple departments and ensuring resources are aligned for optimal performance.
COOs are accountable for developing scalable systems, improving operational efficiencies, and driving profitability. They play a pivotal role in unifying cross-functional teams, monitoring performance metrics, and maintaining accountability across the organization. Whether leading supply chain optimization, refining HR processes, or implementing new technology systems, the COO keeps the business running at peak performance.
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COO Core Responsibilities
- Translate the CEO’s strategic vision into operational plans and initiatives
- Lead the day-to-day activities of the organization, ensuring efficiency and alignment with company goals
- Oversee major departments such as HR, finance, IT, customer service, and logistics
- Develop operational strategies and performance benchmarks to improve productivity and profitability
- Evaluate and implement systems, processes, and technologies to support organizational growth
- Collaborate with the executive team to drive company-wide initiatives and business development efforts
- Monitor KPIs and make data-driven decisions to optimize performance across teams
- Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Operational strategy development
- Business process optimization
- Financial and performance analysis
- Familiarity with ERP systems, CRM platforms, and BI tools
- Regulatory and compliance oversight
- Vendor and supply chain management
Soft skills
- Leadership and team-building across departments
- High-level decision-making and conflict resolution
- Organizational agility and adaptability
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, or related field
- Master’s degree (e.g., MBA) strongly preferred
Certifications
This role does not require certifications, but Six Sigma, PMP, or other operational certifications may be advantageous.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of leadership experience across multiple business functions
- Prior experience scaling operations in a high-growth or enterprise environment
- Experience managing geographically dispersed teams
- Proven success in budgeting, resource allocation, and organizational design
- Industry-specific expertise (e.g., healthcare, manufacturing, SaaS)
National Average Salary
COO salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) is:
$286,433
Sample Job Description Templates for COOs
Corporate COO
Position Overview
The Corporate Chief Operating Officer oversees enterprise-wide operations and ensures that business strategies are effectively implemented across departments. They are responsible for aligning internal processes with strategic objectives, optimizing performance, and maintaining competitive efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Translate strategic plans into executable business initiatives
- Lead cross-functional departments including HR, finance, and operations
- Develop and monitor KPIs to ensure productivity, profitability, and compliance
- Drive continuous improvement through operational assessments and innovation
- Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to refine long-term business strategy
- Oversee organizational change management and enterprise transformation projects
Requirements
Hard skills
- Operational modeling and enterprise resource planning
- Financial reporting and margin optimization
- Compliance and risk mitigation
- Proficiency with ERP systems and performance dashboards
Soft skills
- Executive-level leadership and negotiation
- Strategic execution under complex constraints
- Change management and communication skills
- Organizational diplomacy
Education
- Bachelor’s in business administration or finance
- MBA or similar graduate degree strongly preferred
Startup COO
Position Overview
The Startup Chief Operating Officer is a hands-on leader who builds the infrastructure needed to scale early-stage companies. This role spans daily operations, talent acquisition, strategic planning, and investor reporting.
Responsibilities
- Design and build operational frameworks to support rapid growth
- Align business goals with hiring, product development, and finance strategy
- Collaborate with founders to prioritize and execute growth initiatives
- Implement systems and tools to monitor startup KPIs
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and performance management practices
- Oversee vendor relationships and investor reporting
Requirements
Hard skills
- Process development and financial modeling
- Startup SaaS tools (e.g., Notion, QuickBooks, HubSpot)
- Metrics tracking (ARR, churn, CAC/LTV)
- Agile or lean operations
Soft skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- High adaptability and problem-solving
- Strong prioritization in dynamic environments
- Team-first leadership style
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or engineering
- MBA or equivalent experience in startup environments preferred
Nonprofit COO
Position Overview
The Nonprofit Chief Operating Officer supports the Executive Director by aligning operations with mission-driven initiatives. This role is responsible for improving internal processes, managing programs, and ensuring compliance across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily operations including HR, finance, and program execution
- Monitor impact metrics and program effectiveness
- Coordinate with board, donors, and community stakeholders
- Ensure financial stewardship and nonprofit compliance
- Develop internal systems to increase transparency and accountability
Requirements
Hard skills
- Budgeting, grant management, and donor engagement
- Nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements
- Strategic planning and program evaluation
- Technology and CRM familiarity (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, QuickBooks)
Soft skills
- Passion for mission and community impact
- Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Empathy and servant leadership
- Effective written and verbal communication
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public policy, or related field
- MPA or nonprofit leadership master’s preferred
Healthcare COO
Position Overview
The Healthcare Chief Operating Officer ensures efficient, high-quality operations across clinical and administrative functions. This role emphasizes patient care delivery, regulatory compliance, and operational innovation in a highly regulated environment.
Responsibilities
- Manage clinical workflows and hospital administrative functions
- Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations (e.g., HIPAA, CMS, Joint Commission)
- Oversee financial performance and budgeting across departments
- Implement systems that enhance patient outcomes and reduce costs
- Collaborate with medical leadership on quality and efficiency initiatives
Requirements
Hard skills
- Healthcare operations and compliance
- Familiarity with EHR systems and hospital KPIs
- Financial planning in clinical settings
- Risk and crisis management
Soft skills
- Clear, compassionate communication
- Analytical thinking and operational discipline
- Collaborative leadership with clinicians and administrators
- Strategic decision-making under pressure
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, nursing, or related field
- MHA, MPH, or MBA strongly preferred
Certifications
- FACHE or Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE) preferred
Manufacturing COO
Position Overview
The Manufacturing COO is responsible for production optimization, quality control, supply chain efficiency, and safety compliance. They ensure that goods are produced on time, within budget, and at the highest quality standards.
Responsibilities
- Oversee production operations and lean manufacturing initiatives
- Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory standards
- Optimize supply chain logistics and vendor relationships
- Implement technologies for predictive maintenance and process automation
- Monitor cost control, capacity planning, and throughput efficiency
Requirements
Hard skills
- Production planning and plant management
- Supply chain logistics and procurement
- Lean Six Sigma methodologies
- Familiarity with manufacturing software (e.g., SAP, MES)
Soft skills
- Strong leadership in high-volume environments
- Operational problem-solving
- Safety-first mindset
- Analytical decision-making
Education
- Bachelor’s in industrial engineering, manufacturing, or operations management
- MBA or similar degree preferred
Certifications
- Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certifications are highly beneficial
SaaS/Tech COO
Position Overview
The SaaS/Tech COO oversees daily operations in a software-driven business, focusing on product delivery, customer success, and revenue operations. This role ensures scalable systems and user-centric execution that support growth and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Manage daily operations including DevOps, finance, and customer success
- Optimize metrics like ARR, churn, LTV/CAC, and NPS
- Collaborate with product and engineering to align roadmap and operations
- Lead team growth, hiring, and performance management
- Build systems for scalable onboarding, support, and renewals
Requirements
Hard skills
- SaaS metrics and revenue operations
- Agile frameworks and product lifecycle familiarity
- CRM and customer success tooling (e.g., Salesforce, Gainsight, Zendesk)
- Financial planning and investor reporting
Soft skills
- High adaptability in evolving environments
- Data-driven decision-making
- Strategic team scaling and coaching
- Customer-focused leadership
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or engineering
- MBA or experience in high-growth SaaS strongly preferred