What Does a Director of Operations Do? And How to Become One

A director of operations leads and models expectations for each department within a company so that all departments can work together to create a successful, organised, and efficient business. As a result, a director of operations may work with a marketing manager to assess the effectiveness of marketing campaigns against the company’s marketing goals or discuss budgeting and forecasting with the financial department manager. 

Discover more about what a director of operations does, who they oversee, and how to become one. Also, explore typical career trajectories for operations directors and suggested courses that can help you gain job-relevant skills today to begin on the path to reaching your goals. 

What is a director of operations?  

A director of operations is an executive in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of a company, which may include a wide range of tasks depending on the industry and size of the business. Typically, though, the director of operations is involved in improving efficiency, setting budgets, and implementing employee policies. 

Within a corporate hierarchy, the director of operations reports to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is an executive-level position, working with senior-level management and C-suite positions. Operations directors work in various settings, including private, public, non-profit, or government sectors, and job titles may differ depending on the industry.

Director of operations job description

The responsibility of the director of operations is to ensure that the company's overall goals, objectives, and mission carry through daily operations and customer interactions. Core duties and responsibilities may include:

• Improving the cost efficiency of specific business operations through resource allocation

• Creating and overseeing employee evaluation metrics and methods 

• Conducting budget reviews and reporting findings

• Implementing, reviewing, and modifying company policies and procedures 

• Supporting the HR department in staff management and hiring

• Reporting to the board on any operational issues and concerns

• Identifying more cost-efficient ways to do business, setting and executing department and company-wide budgets, and forecasting efforts 

Who does a director of operations manage?

A director of operations manages various personnel and leads across all areas relating to business operations. 

Managers must see the operations director as someone who supports their efforts. A key responsibility for this role is maintaining consistency across all departments and ensuring that employees at all levels carry out the company vision through the daily operations of all divisions. 

COO vs. Director of operations

Some people use the titles of chief operations officer (COO) and director of operations interchangeably to refer to the same position. However, these roles also have subtle (but important) differences. C-suite executive positions like COO, CFO, and CEO usually lead larger companies and corporations. Smaller companies may not have those titles, so the duties of company operations management fall on the director of operations, who essentially has the same tasks and responsibilities as a COO at a larger company on a smaller scale. 

Larger companies may also have both a COO and a director of operations, but their scope of management and oversight usually differs. For example, a company that already has a COO may hire a director of operations to oversee a specific procedure that needs more attention and focus. Still, the COO would be the more senior position. 

How to become a director of operations

A director of operations's essential skills centre around being a good leader, communicator, and problem solver. Technical skills are also crucial and differ by industry. Experience, training, and education will help you build these relevant skills. 

1. Earn your degree.

To work in operations, you need at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in business or a related field, such as business administration, business management, or project management. Earning a postgraduate qualification may be a requirement for working at the operations manager level, and the director of operations is a C-suite business management position. Options include an MBA focusing on operations management, business, or economics.

2. Gain professional experience.

Relevant professional experience, ideally in business management positions in a similar or aligned industry, is a requirement for a director of operations position. Employers will likely seek candidates with five years or more of leadership experience. Relevant professional experience may include positions in lower-level management. Operations directors may also work up from less senior positions within the company. 

3. Consider certification.

Professional certifications are available for careers in business operations, including director of operations. The certification you choose may vary according to the industry you work in and your responsibilities. You might opt for credentials through institutions like the International Organisation for Standardisation or certifications such as: 

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified Manager of Quality/Organisational Excellence (CM/QOE)

As an operations director, certifications can positively affect your salary, improve your job prospects, and enhance your business management skills. 

4. Hone your skills.

A director of operations must be comfortable making decisions, possess leadership abilities, and be an effective communicator. If you hope to one day become a director of operations, you will need a robust set of skills. The following offers insight into how you can expect to use these job-critical skills in the role:

• Decision-making: A director of operations must make intelligent and efficient decisions when faced with scenarios that affect the company’s overall goals and objectives. Making the best choices that positively affect a company can include financial, staffing, or operational decisions like inventory management and cost. You may also use decision-making skills when tracking sales, customer service, employees, or a company's software system performance metrics. 

• Leadership: A director of operations leads managers within a company and other employees. Leadership often requires the ability to empathise, motivate, and guide. Having strong leadership skills is vital in this executive management position. 

• Communication: A director of operations will bring together different people and roles to work toward one common goal. As a result, communicating the needs of managers to key decision-makers in the company is an essential skill, as is informing new policies and procedures created by executives to the managers that implement them. 

5. Master the business process

To effectively perform their duties, a director of operations must thoroughly understand the business process. A few everyday business processes a director of operations must understand include:

• Sales and marketing

• Invoicing

• Product development

• Customer experience

• Order processing

These processes vary by industry, but businesses generally need to manage them to ensure a smooth operation. Operations directors must understand a company’s products or services, from production to purchasing, to perform their duties to the highest possible standard.

Typical career trajectory

The typical career trajectory of a director of operations includes several years in entry-level business management positions. Some common management positions that directors of operations may hold early in their career include:

• Operations specialist

• Operations manager 

• Project manager 

• Operations analyst

These positions can give you the experience you need to catapult your career as a director of operations. You can work toward your MBA while in an entry-level management position to satisfy the experiential and educational requirements when you’re ready to apply for a director of operations position.

Gain job-relevant skills with Coursera

A director of operations must combine a deep knowledge of business with effective leadership, managerial, and communication abilities. Continue learning and gain skills that can help further your professional career by taking a cost-effective, flexible course through Coursera.

For example, to learn more about the foundational skills you’ll need in this role, consider enrolling in the Business Foundations Specialisation offered by the University of Pennsylvania, which includes modules on business operations management. Completing online courses can boost your CV and help you build essential skills for director of operations positions.