Leadership role
Director of Operations
Directs the daily running of an organization's operating functions, for example facilities, administration, technology, logistics or program support.
Reporting and scope
Typically reports to the Executive Director / CEO or COO. Authority covers the operational functions assigned to it, which vary by organization.
Core responsibilities
- Runs administrative systems, facilities and vendor contracts
- Improves processes and staff workflows
- Often oversees HR, IT or office management in smaller organizations
- Tracks operating budgets and performance measures
- Supports compliance with funder, licensing and insurance requirements
- Coordinates emergency and business continuity planning
How it differs
COO is the organization-wide operations executive, often second to the Executive Director / CEO. VP of Operations is the tier between. Operations Manager is a manager-level job. Director of Operations sits at director level with a defined operating portfolio.
By organization size
In smaller organizations it is often the top operations job and covers finance support, HR and facilities together. In large organizations it may lead operations for one division or region.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Director of Operations; Operations Director; Senior Director of Operations; Dir of Operations; Dir. of Operations; Operations Dir.