What position is below COO?
Asked by: Clarabelle Beier | Last update: November 23, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (53 votes)
In most cases, general managers are below COOs in a company's leadership hierarchy. Depending on the specific tasks and duties assigned to the general manager, they might report directly to the COO or to another intermediary leadership employee, like an operations manager.
What positions are under a COO?
The next position under a chief operating officer (COO) often varies by organization but can include roles such as vice president of operations, executive director of operations, or chief of staff.
What is beneath COO?
Who is Below the COO? Below the COO are the heads of various departments, including Operations, HR, Finance, and IT. These leaders manage their respective areas but work closely with the COO to ensure alignment with the company's overall strategy.
What rank is below COO?
The CEO is the highest-level C-suite role in a company, followed by the COO, then the CFO. In other words, COOs are usually second in command while CFOs are typically third in command.
What title is under a COO?
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
A role that supports the COO in managing the company's operations, often taking charge of specific departments or initiatives. Deputy COOs work closely with the COO to implement strategies and improve operational processes.
Understanding The COO Role | Chief Operating Officer
Who works below a COO?
In most cases, general managers are below COOs in a company's leadership hierarchy. Depending on the specific tasks and duties assigned to the general manager, they might report directly to the COO or to another intermediary leadership employee, like an operations manager .
Who falls under COO?
The chief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and optimizing the day-to-day operations of the organization, including, but not limited to, human relations (HR), information technology (IT), and facilities management.
What is next in line after COO?
In the C-suite, the most prominent positions are the CEO, COO, and CFO – the chief executive officer, the chief operations officer, and the chief financial officer. These 3 positions, along with others, form the top-most tier of leadership at any organization.
What is COO in hierarchy?
What is a COO? The COO meaning is Chief Operations Officer. This is the second-in-command to the CEO. COOs take the CEO's vision for the company and turn it into an executable business plan.
What is the hierarchy of a corporation?
The term corporate hierarchy refers to the arrangement and organization of individuals within a corporation according to power, status, and job function. In general, a hierarchy is any system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
What role is before COO?
Most management teams have at least a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and a Chief Operations Officer (COO).
What is a COO of a company's salary?
How Much Does a COO (Chief Operating Officer) Make in US? The average salary for a COO (Chief Operating Officer) in US is $199,959. The average additional cash compensation for a COO (Chief Operating Officer) in US is $73,950. The average total compensation for a COO (Chief Operating Officer) in US is $273,909.
Does HR report to COO?
In most companies, the human resources department reports directly to the chief executive officer (CEO). However, this is not a universal practice. In some companies, HR may report to the CEO, chief operating officer, another senior-level director or manager, or even another position entirely.
What is the average age of a COO?
COO Snapshot
In the US, COOs are predominantly male (76.6%) with an average age of 51 years old. The majority (89%) of these COOs are older than 40 years old, while the further 11% are between 30 and 40 years old.
What else can a COO be called?
The COO typically reports directly to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is considered to be second in the chain of command. In some corporations, the COO is known by other terms, such as "executive vice president of operations," "chief operations officer," or "operations director."
Do you need an MBA to be a COO?
Like any executive position, the route to becoming a COO varies depending on an individual's education, work experience, and personal ambition. Most COOs have at least a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. However, some employers prefer professionals who also have an MBA.
Who usually reports to a COO?
Many companies have presidents, vice presidents, or executives representing different branches or areas of the corporation (like the head of the marketing department or Human Resources) that report to a COO.
What is the difference between a COO and a CCO?
The COO has a comprehensive view of the company's operations, allowing them to detect potential problems and anticipate needs. CCO – Chief Communications Officer: The master of communication! The CCO of a company is primarily responsible for communications.
Is COO or VP higher?
The VP of Operations is often a senior executive responsible for the operational aspects of the company, similar to the COO. However, the COO typically has a broader role, overseeing not just operations but also other functions like marketing, sales, and HR. The VP of Operations usually reports to the COO.
What is the CEO right hand man called?
Sometimes, the COO is called the “Vice President of Operations.” The job involves managing the day-to-day administration of the organization. This person often acts as the right-hand man or woman to the CEO. The COO could oversee production, sales, marketing, human resources, or all of the above.
What is the chain of command in a corporation?
The chain of command includes various levels. It starts with senior executives at the top and ends with entry-level employees at the bottom. Between these levels are sales, marketing, human resources, and finance departments. Each has distinct roles and responsibilities.
Who works under the COO?
COOs manage other execs and managers: The COO reports to the CEO, but everyone else ― mid-level managers like sales managers, marketing managers, product managers and other C-level executives like the CFO and the CTO ― report to the COO.
Who reports to VP of Operations?
The VP of operations often works closely with executive leaders and the heads of several departments, such as finance, IT, sales and HR. They may have an operations manager or operations associate report directly to them, depending on the structure of the company. This role usually reports directly to the CEO or COO.
Who is the assistant to the COO?
POSITION SUMMARY The Assistant to the COO provides support to the Chief Operating Officer and Operations Team. In this role, the Assistant to the COO will serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the COO office.
What is the career path of a COO?
Some paths to becoming a successful COO include: Starting in entry-level positions and working your way up the corporate ladder. Joining a startup or launching your own business to gain hands-on experience in operations. Transitioning from other executive positions, such as project management or department head roles.