The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is the top executive responsible for overseeing and optimizing the day-to-day operations and processes of a company to ensure efficiency and productivity.
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Last Updated: January 7, 2026
While many people are familiar with other high-level business executive titles, they are lost on the definition of a chief operations officer. The chief operations officer’s definition involves a high-ranking executive in a business or other organization.
In general, the chief operations officer is considered a business executive. Someone in the role of a chief operations officer may also be known as a chief operating officer. Like a chief executive officer who’s referred to as a CEO, the chief operations officer might be called the COO. Chief operations officers are referred to as C-level executives or C-suite executives, with the C standing for “chief.”
Most people are unaware of the role that a chief operations officer plays in a company. Business owners should familiarize themselves with the typical duties and responsibilities of a Chief Operations Officer (COO) to evaluate whether they truly need one for their business. Chief operating officers are typically hired to:
The key to having a great COO that helps a business function is the relationship between the CEO and COO. Both parties must work well together and maintain a high level of trust. Although the role of a chief operations officer seems general, having a great chief operations officer can help a business soar.
Enlisting the assistance of the right chief operations officer has its benefits for many businesses, especially those that are operations-intensive. A CEO essentially hires a COO to act in a role similar to that of a vice president. This means that the CEO has a lesser burden of responsibility. But the advantages to a chief operations officer don’t stop there. A chief operations officer benefits a company by providing flexibility. In other words, a COO is an executive who can wear multiple hats and stand in for other business executives when necessary to keep the company operating smoothly.
Chief operations officers play an integral role in the success of a business. But there are other C-level executives in most companies, including:
Not every company needs an entire board of C-suite executives. In the case of a small business, the company is more likely to have just a CEO to begin the business. However, adding these key players can be essential for the expansion and long-term success of a company.
The definition of a chief operations officer (COO) is a C-level executive of a business or organization. The COO plays the role of vice president to the CEO and oversees all business operations.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
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