Management & LeadershipISCO 1120

Chief operating officer

Chief operating officers are the right hand and second in command of a company's chief executive officer. They ensure that the daily operations of the company run smoothly. Chief operating officers also develop company policies, rules and goals.

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Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

integrate strategic foundation in daily performance

ensure lawful business operations

establish collaborative relations

lead managers of company departments

evaluate performance of organisational collaborators

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 20 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

integrate strategic foundation in daily performance
Reflect on the strategic foundation of companies, meaning their mission, vision, and values in order to integrate this foundation in the performance of the job position.
practical skill
ensure lawful business operations
Comply with legislation in the daily operations of a company.
practical skill
establish collaborative relations
Establish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both parties.
practical skillresilient to AI
lead managers of company departments
Collaborate and guide the managers of the departments of a company in terms of the objectives of the company, the actions, and expectations required from their managerial scope.
practical skill
evaluate performance of organisational collaborators
Evaluate the performance and results of managers and employees considering their efficiency and effectivity at work.
practical skill
analyse business plans
Analyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the business' ability to meet…
practical skill
interpret financial statements
Read, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements.
practical skillmost at risk from AI
abide by business ethical code of conducts
Conform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large.
practical skill

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (5)

operations management

The backend business functions that are implemented with the aim of achieving the high efficiency and profitability within an organisation. More →

financial statements

The set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a set period or of the accounting year. More →

marketing management

The academic discipline and function in an organisation which focuses on the market research, market development, and the creation of marketing campaigns to raise awareness on the company's services and products. More →

business process modelling

The tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business process and model its… More →

company policies

The set of rules that govern the activity of a company. More →

Practical skills (7)

negotiate with stakeholders

Negotiate compromises with stakeholders and strive to reach the most beneficial agreements for the company. More →

track key performance indicators

Identify the quantifiable measures that a company or industry uses to gauge or compare performance in terms of meeting their operational and strategic goals, using preset performance indicators. More →

develop professional network

Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. More →

plan medium to long term objectives

Schedule long term objectives and immediate to short term objectives through effective medium-term planning and reconciliation processes. More →

collaborate in company's daily operations

Collaborate and perform hands-on work with other departments, managers, supervisors, and workers in different aspects of the business from preparing accounting reports, envisioning the marketing campaigns up to having… More →

make strategic business decisions

Analyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. More →

shape organisational teams based on competencies

Study the profiles of collaborators and decide the best place for directors and collaborators following an strategic mindset and serving to the goals of the company. More →

Optional skills (23) — show

financial management

The field of finance that concerns the practical process analysis and tools for designating financial resources. More →

lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity. More →

apply export strategies

Follow and implement strategies according to the size of the company and possible advantages towards the international market. More →

manage budgets

Plan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets. More →

imprint visionary aspirations into the business management

Integrate ambition and visionary plans in both the planning and the day-to-day operations in order to set goals for the company to strive for. More →

interact with the board of directors

Present the results of the company, answer questions in regards to the organisation, and receive guidelines on the future perspectives and plans for the company. More →

develop organisational policies

Develop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning. More →

implement operational business plans

Implement the strategic business and operational plan for an organisation by engaging and delegating to others, monitoring progress and making adjustments along the way. More →

define the corporate structure

Study different company structures and define that one that best represent the interest and goals of the company. More →

follow the statutory obligations

Understand, abide by, and apply the statutory obligations of the company in the daily performance of the job. More →

analyse financial performance of a company

Analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit, based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market. More →

set organisational policies

Participate in setting organisational policies that cover issues such as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits for the service users. More →

liaise with shareholders

Communicate and serve as communication point with shareholders in order to provide an overview on their investments, returns, and long-term plans of the company to increase profitability. More →

apply import strategies

Follow and implement strategies for importing according to the size of the company, the nature of its products, the available expertise, and business conditions on the international markets. More →

shape corporate culture

Observe and define the elements in the corporate culture of a company in order to reinforce, integrate and shape further the codes, values, beliefs and behaviours aligned with the company's aims. More →

develop revenue generation strategies

Elaborate methodologies through which a company markets and sells a product or service to generate income. More →

integrate shareholders' interests in business plans

Listen to the perspectives, interests, and vision of the owners of the company in order to translate those guidelines into pragmatic business actions and plans. More →

develop company strategies

Envision, plan, and develop strategies for companies and organisations aimed at achieving different purposes such as establishing new markets, refurbishing the equipment and machinery of a company, implementing pricing… More →

define organisational standards

Write, implement and foster the internal standards of the company as part of the business plans for the operations and levels of performance that the company intends to achieve. More →

assume responsibility for the management of a business

Adopt and assume the responsibility that entails running a business, prioritising the interest of its owners, the societal expectation, and the welfare of employees. More →

build international relations

Build positive communication dynamics with organisations from different countries in order to build a cooperative relationship and optimise information exchange. More →

develop business plans

Plan, write and collaborate in the implement business plans. More →

implement strategic planning

Take action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies. More →

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

chief executive officer14 shared essential skills branch manager12 shared essential skills business manager10 shared essential skills sales manager5 shared essential skills bank manager4 shared essential skills budget manager4 shared essential skills department manager4 shared essential skills financial risk manager4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a chief operating officer do?

What skills does a chief operating officer need?

A chief operating officer needs 20 essential skills, including operations management, financial statements, marketing management, business process modelling, company policies.

Will AI replace chief operating officer jobs?

The AI disruption score for chief operating officer is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: financial statements, track key performance indicators, interpret financial statements. Most resilient: interact with the board of directors, establish collaborative relations, negotiate with stakeholders.

AI Replacement Risk

65/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

financial statements track key performance indicators interpret financial statements

Skills resilient to automation

interact with the board of directors establish collaborative relations negotiate with stakeholders

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Quick Facts

SectorManagement & Leadership

ISCO GroupChief executives, senior officials and legislators

Essential Skills20

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