What does a Chief Operating Officer do?
Chief Operating Officers work at large companies as part of their executive structure to ensure that the entire business structure can collaborate effectively and meet goals according to an overarching timeline and budget. They oversee the administrative roles in an organization, managing communications channels, supply chain steps and the overall taxonomy of a company. Chief Operating Officers delegate production, marketing and sales tasks to core teams while maintaining relationships with business partners, vendors and distributors. Their role is to keep a business’s key functions running smoothly by planning out the implementation of each smaller task that contributes to a company’s purpose.
Chief Operating Officer skills and qualifications
A Chief Operating Officer must have advanced leadership and communication skills to do their job effectively. Some of their other necessary skills and qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration or another relevant field
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Solid understanding of staff management, industry specifics and business strategies
- Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Superior management and interpersonal skills
- Ability to remain calm and focused in stressful situations
Chief Operating Officer salary expectations
The average salary for Chief Operating Officers is $120,047 per year. This salary may vary depending on the size of the company and the candidate’s level of experience and educational background.
Chief Operating Officer education and training requirements
Chief Operating Officers must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or another relevant field, and they may also be required to have a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Some companies require Chief Operating Officers to have additional certifications relevant to their industry, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) certification. Chief Operating Officers should have a working knowledge of all areas related to company growth, including marketing, finance, sales, information technology and human resources.
Chief Operating Officer experience requirements
Chief Operating Officers are expected to have extensive managerial experience, though the amount of experience may vary depending on the particular company and industry. Most companies want their Chief Operating Officers to have a minimum of 5 years of managerial experience, though preferably more. Many companies look for candidates who have experience in a variety of departments in addition to extensive experience in their specific industry.
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