Chief Operations Officer Definition

Learn more about what a Chief Operations Officer is in business.

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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. The chief operations officer is a C-level executive or C-suite executive — meaning that the person filling this role is the head of an entire department. In this case, they are the head of the operations department. This position is usually second to the chief executive officer’s position.

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Other Names for Chief Operations Officer

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, people refer to a chief operations officer as a COO. Chief operations officers are referred to as C-level executives or C-suite executives, with the C standing for “chief.”

Duty of Chief Operations Officer Examples

Most people are unaware of the role that a chief operations officer plays in a company. Familiarizing yourself with the typical duties and responsibilities of a chief operations officer can help you understand whether you truly need this role to exist in your own business. Chief operating officers are typically hired to:

Carry out the CEO’s business strategies
Lead an initiative
Provide the CEO with a partner
Balance the strengths and weaknesses of the CEO
Have a successor in place in the event the CEO steps down or becomes unavailable

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.

Chief Operations Officer Benefits

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. Chief operations officer advantages do not stop there. A chief operations officer benefits a company by providing flexibility. In other words, a COO is an executive that can wear multiple hats and stand-in for other business executives when necessary to keep the company operating smoothly.

Other Business Executive Examples

Chief operations officers play an integral role in the success of a business. But there are other C-level executives in most companies, including:

Chief Executive Officer: Handles and oversees all business operations and decisions while remaining responsible for the success of the business
Chief Operations Officer: Is responsible for executing the business plans and strategies of the CEO while acting as second-in-command to the CEO
Chief Financial Officer: Is responsible for all of a company’s finances including, strategy, planning, and risk analysis
Chief Technology Officer: Oversees the implementation of new systems, data storage, and infrastructure
Chief Marketing Officer: Is responsible for generating and executing effective marketing strategies
Chief Human Resource Officer: Oversees the management of people within the business including, hiring, training, promoting, and evaluating

Not every company needs an entire board of C-suite executives. In the case of a small business, you are more likely to have just a CEO to begin your business. However, adding these key players can be essential for the expansion and long-term success of a business.

Summary

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 informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.