Chief Operation Officer (COO)

A chief operation officer (COO) is usually the second-highest ranking executive in a corporation. The chief operation officer is in charge of executing daily operations for the company, and is second in responsibility only to the chief executive officer (CEO). The COO’s job is to help set standards for the company and work with directors and middle managers to ensure that processes, training, and quality of output of goods and services reflect these standards. They may receive constant data-based reports and overviews which include snapshots of revenues, efficiency, and even waste that can be acted upon to improve the company’s performance. As the second-in-command, the COO is also responsible for executing the company’s overall vision, typically by upholding the CEO’s mission statement and working with directors and operations managers to make that visualization a reality. The COO may focus on data related to productivity and revenue generation and make performance assessments based on this data, and these assessments may then be compared to prior weeks, months, or years. Chief operation officers work with operations managers to ensure that optimal staffing levels are set throughout the company and all departments have sufficient resources and procedures for proper employee training. The COO may also work with analysts within the company to assess physical assets and how they can be maintained, repaired, or upgraded. Must have strong educational backgrounds in business and management, with graduate degrees in the field and previously served as a director or manager within a company and a dedicated administrative staff. With so many potential direct reports throughout the corporation, you must be organized, dedicated, and willing to work long hours to achieve success.

Chief Operation Officer (COO) Tasks

• Implement the strategies set by the Board of Directors and the CEO.
• Improve operating procedures to increase profits and/or make the organization more efficient.
• Direct the day to day operations of the organization.