Chief Operating Officer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Your job description is the first touchpoint between your company and your new hire. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

Chief Operating Officer job title

A great job title typically includes a general term, level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimise your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialised, consider including the specialisation in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

  • Chief Operations Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • COO of Sales and Marketing
  • COO of Global Operations
  • COO of Products

Hire your next Chief Operating Officer today.

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Hire your next Chief Operating Officer today.

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Chief Operating Officer Job Description Examples:

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Chief Operating Officer job summary

A great job description starts with a compelling summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is a good fit.

Example of a Chief Operating Officer job summary

Our professional services organisation is looking for a chief operating officer capable of taking us to the next level. We’re looking to make the leap to working with enterprise level companies and we hope you’re the one to help us accomplish this. You will work alongside the CEO to execute the company vision, put procedures and resources in place to promote scaling, optimise inefficient areas in the organisation and coordinate with department heads. Our ideal COO has at least 15 years of experience working with professional services organisations at all levels. You should have a strong understanding of the operational requirements and insights into how you can make things better.

Chief Operating Officer responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organisation and who the employee reports to.

  • Oversee the operations of the organisation to meet business goals and projections
  • Collaborate closely with the chief executive officer and produce reports on company operations
  • Empower the operational team with the leadership and resources they need to successfully complete operations initiatives
  • Positively represent the company at all times through a success-oriented and professional demeanour
  • Partner with other C-level executives to accomplish short and long-term operational goals
  • Measure and report on operational performance and develop plans to improve relevant key performance indicators

Chief Operating Officer qualifications and skills

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you envision for a successful hire. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

  • Familiarity with the operational procedures at all levels of the organisation
  • Strong analytical and data-driven mindset that translates into leadership skills
  • Ability to inspire employees to live up to their potential and optimise their productivity
  • Master degree or PhD in business administration, law, management or related areas
  • Ability to communicate vision to board of directors, other C-level officers and company employees
  • Hold 15 years of industry experience in leadership positions

Hire your next Chief Operating Officer today

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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.

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