Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are pivotal leaders within any organization, bridging the gap between the company’s vision and its operational reality.
Responsible for managing the daily functions that keep the company running smoothly, COOs are essential partners to the CEO and vital to executing strategic goals by ensuring that high-level plans are translated into measurable results.
Given the influence and cachet of the role, it’s no wonder that becoming a COO is an aspiration for many, particularly those drawn to dynamic decision-making and hands-on leadership. Becoming a COO calls for a blend of high-level business acumen, practical management expertise and exceptional interpersonal skills that keep all teams and departments aligned on the company’s overarching goals.
This guide provides key insights and actionable steps on how to become a chief operating officer, focusing on practical advice and tips for building a successful career path toward one of the most impactful roles in the C-suite.
Job Responsibilities Of A COO
The COO position is typically nestled directly under the CEO, and in some cases COOs may work alongside the company President.
This role places the COO as the bridge between the high-level strategic decisions and the day-to-day execution across the operational pillars of the business. As a central figure in the C-suite, the COO’s role involves overseeing operations to ensure that each department aligns with the company’s mission, vision and objectives.
As a result, COO generally has a wide-ranging oversight across various departments, including production, sales, human resources and technology, depending on the organization’s needs and industry. Under the COO’s direction, senior leaders such as EVP and VPs and department heads report on progress, challenges and key metrics, providing the COO with a bird’s-eye view of the business’s operational health.
Ultimately, the COO’s mission is to keep the business running efficiently, effectively and in alignment with strategic goals. Whether it’s through optimizing resources, implementing policies, or managing cross-departmental collaboration, the COO plays a pivotal role in ensuring that an organization stays on track to meet its goals.
How Do You Become A COO?
Becoming a COO doesn’t happen overnight.
In fact, according to Tufts University COOs usually have at least 15 years of experience behind them. Many COOs rise through the ranks within their organization, propelled forward by a combination of experience, education and leadership skills, and a career’s worth of progressive responsibility in roles across various business functions.
Given the role COOs play, having a foundational understanding of the organization’s operational structure and how each department contributes to the company’s success is essential. Many COOs have backgrounds in operations, finance or business management, often holding advanced degrees like an MBA/eMBA that have helped refine their analytical and leadership capabilities.
While there’s no single pathway to becoming a COO, there are common denominators worth being mindful of.
Those aspiring to the role should prioritize seeking diverse experience across departments, building familiarity with a wide range of company processes, and honing decision-making skills that translate high-level strategy into daily operations. Developing a strong leadership profile, networking with industry professionals and gaining mentorship from experienced C-suite leaders is also essential.
1. Education
Becoming a COO requires a strong educational foundation. Most COOs hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business, finance or operations management, which provides an initial grounding in the core concepts of business operations and management. For those looking to deepen their expertise, a postgraduate degree such as an MBA or an executive MBA can be invaluable, as it refines analytical skills, strategic thinking and builds leadership abilities that are crucial for succeeding as a COO.
Given the rapid pace of change in today’s business environment, adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are equally important.
COOs oversee a wide range of departments and activities, and many take advantage of executive education programs and certifications well into their careers to stay updated and enhance relevant skills. COOs are seen particularly often in courses that focus on advanced negotiation, leadership presence as well as domain-specific training that deepen their understanding of industry changes. In addition, participating in leadership development programs and joining professional organizations provide essential networking opportunities and help aspiring COOs build skills that support long-term career growth.
2. Industry Experience
While each COO brings a unique background, most have around 10–15 years of experience that spans varied roles and industries.
A strong foundation in finance or operations is common for the role, as is the ability to lead across diverse functions and departments. Successful COOs can come from any branch of the organization, as long as they demonstrate a proven track record of taking on progressively responsible roles that are focused on execution and planning. What matters most is a career rich in examples of range, adaptability and a focus on optimizing processes that are particularly relevant to the organization at hand.
COOs can gain their experience in both large corporations and startups, each offering distinct advantages.
Large corporations expose future COOs to complex organizational structures and long-term strategic planning earlier on, while experience from smaller companies emphasizes hands-on leadership across the entire gamut of business areas as well as rapid decision-making. A combination of both can be particularly advantageous for COOs as it provides for a well-rounded set of experiences to draw from in the role.
While specific job titles may be less significant than the skills gained, COOs often emerge from roles like Director of Operations, Head of Finance, or VP of Supply Chain as well as other positions that emphasize operational insight and execution. Exposure to the C-Suite and the board is equally important, given how intimately COOs interface with both.
Industry experience is often a prerequisite for the COO’s role. Many COOs rise through the ranks within their industry, bringing deep, specialized knowledge to the role. However, a broader industry background is increasingly valued in certain sectors where cross-sectional understanding and the ability to manage a number of fundamentally different business operations is critical.
For example, a COO from tech or healthcare might bring fresh perspectives and adaptability that align well with the unique needs of the organization even if the company is not directly involved in either. Translating insights across sectors can be essential, particularly when the role requires balancing innovation with operational efficiency. This flexibility allows COOs to bring a nuanced, adaptive approach to fulfilling the organization’s goals, regardless of industry specifics.
However, it is most typical for COOs to have a significant length of experience in the relevant industry, if not the organization itself.
3. Relevant Certifications
Certifications can provide a valuable edge for those aspiring to become COOs, but selecting the right one depends largely on the industry and the specific career path.
On the broader side of applicability, there are certifications like Lean Six Sigma or Project Management Professional (PMP) which are highly valued regardless of the industry given how they demonstrate expertise in process improvement, project execution and efficiency, key skills for any COO aiming to optimize organizational operations.
In finance-heavy sectors, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation can add substantial credibility and in some instances may be strict requirements for the role. These certifications signal a deep understanding of financial management and strategic planning, which are invaluable for COOs managing company-wide budgets and financial risk.
Another example of an industry that has a number of key certifications is tech. COOs in this industry will find certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) particularly useful as they demonstrate skills in managing digital transformation, cybersecurity and agile team management. Other examples include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
To determine which certifications consider both the industry’s demands and the direction in which you want to grow. The best way to go about selecting a certificate to pursue is to research the common certifications held by COOs in your field and consult with mentors or industry leaders for recommendations. Certifications that align directly with your industry’s challenges, like financial management in finance-heavy roles or cybersecurity in tech, will likely provide the most relevant and impactful skills.
4. Leadership
Strong leadership skills are paramount to any COO.
Regardless of the industry they operate in, successful COOs exhibit a mix of strategic vision, decision-making ability, as well as exceptional interpersonal skills. Running day-to-day operations of any meaningful level of complexity implies the need to inspire and motivate teams, communicate clearly across all levels and foster an environment of trust and collaboration.
While some leadership qualities such as raw charisma may come naturally, most can be developed through experience, mentoring and continuous learning.
Aspiring COOs should actively pursue leadership roles within their current organizations or take on projects that require managing cross-functional teams as a way to develop their leadership chops.
Titles like Operations Manager, Director of Strategy or VP of Operations are valuable stepping stones, as these roles offer the opportunity to practice decision-making, conflict resolution, and team-building skills on a smaller scale. Additionally, seeking formal leadership training or workshops can be highly beneficial, particularly for areas like conflict management, negotiation and executive presence.
5. Network
Building a robust network is crucial for those aspiring to the role of a COO.
Growing and maintaining a valuable network involves connecting with peers, mentors and leaders across various functions, both inside and outside your organization. Networking confers many benefits, including helping future COOs stay informed about industry trends, passing on lessons learnt from the successes and challenges of others, and gaining insights that can be applied to their own leadership journey.
Mentorship is especially beneficial for anyone in the C-Suite, with the COO’s role being no exception.
Having a trusted advisor and confidant that cares about your career path can be invaluable in navigating complex organizational challenges and developing your own approach to executing upon the company’s strategic vision. Seeking out mentors who have been around the block, particularly those with COO experience, is a tried and tested way to accelerate your growth.
Effective networking today requires a blend of in-person and online strategies as well as dedication to authenticity. Attend industry events, join professional organizations and actively engage on platforms like LinkedIn to connect with leaders and stay visible. Remember that it is those who ask who often receive, and do not shy away from pursuing mentors directly with the intention of recruiting them into your corner. Ideally, networking works as a two-way street, where both parties involved find the transaction valuable. Sometimes that value can be derived from the appreciation of one’s accomplishments and views, as well as the opportunity to take part in shaping an emerging leader’s career path.
Building a well-rounded network will not only support your journey to COO but will also prove invaluable in driving organizational success once you get there.
How To Find COO Jobs
Finding a COO position requires both strategy and preparation as well as a dash of luck.
Job opportunities for COOs are often listed on reputable job boards such as LinkedIn. Executive recruitment firms, such as Korn Ferry and Russell Reynolds Associates are also regularly hired to identify potential COO candidates, in addition to which specialized search platforms exist, although many are fee based and not as widely used by recruiters as they are by job seekers.
When exploring job listings, look for positions that clearly outline the role’s responsibilities and provide insight into the company’s goals. Only apply to those where your background and future trajectory will add value to the role and the company. Preparing a tailored cover letter and application that highlight your operational experience and alignment with the company’s strategic vision can make your application stand out.
You can expect COO interviews to focus on your leadership style, decision-making ability and understanding of cross-functional operations. Several rounds are typical, and in some instances the Board will be involved. Demonstrating a clear vision for how you can add value to the organization will be key to landing the role, as will be your ability to interface with the executive team in a productive way. COOs are expected to have strong communication skills, which will be tested both implicitly and explicitly throughout the selection process.
Remember, a great number of COO roles are filled through internal promotions and through in-industry networks, which means building a strong reputation of executional excellence and a robust set of connections within your industry is invaluable.
Bottom Line
The path to becoming a COO is one that combines strategic insight, cross-functional expertise and strong leadership skills. Most COOs take years, if not decades, to cultivate these skills, making it more of a marathon than a sprint. With the right mix of experience, education, and network-building, you can pave the way toward one of the most impactful roles in the C-suite.