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

A director of operations develops strategies to improve a company's functionality and productivity. Typically, they set the expectations for departments across a company so that all departments work together to create a successful, organized, and efficient business. A director of operations is a senior role you can advance toward after beginning as a project manager [1].

In this article, learn more about what a director of operations does, who they oversee, and how to become one. Afterward, if you're interested in pursuing this career path, get started by leaning fundamental project management skills with the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

What is a director of operations?  

A director of operations is in charge of overseeing a company's operations, which can include a wide range of tasks depending on the industry and size of the business. Typically, the director of operations is involved in developing strategies to improve productivity, measuring performance and adjusting strategies based on data, ensuring efficient workflows, and other responsibilities designed to achieve key buiness goals. 

Within a corporate hierarchy, the director of operations reports to the chief operations officer (COO). The role typically requires around nine years of experience. Operations directors can be found in private, public, non-profit, and government sectors.

What does a director of operations do?

It's the responsibility of the director of operations to ensure that the company's overall goals, objectives, and mission are carried out through daily operations and strategic resourcing. Core duties and responsibilities may include:

• Improving the cost efficiency of certain 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, hiring, termination, and disciplinary actions 

• Helping department managers set goals, manage employees, and improve efficiency 

• Ensuring company operations meet financial goals and objectives

• 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 will manage operations managers, who are tasked with executing the director's strategy. They'are also expected to work cross-functionally with roles such as marketing manager, sales manager, HR department manager, and manager of the financial department (also called a controller).

Each department manager reports to the director of operations to provide feedback and ask for support when needed. A key responsibility for this role is to maintain consistency across all departments and that the company vision is carried out through the daily operations of all divisions. 

How to become a director of operations

The essential skills of a director of operations center around being a good leader, communicator, and problem-solver. Let's review some of the steps you may need to follow in pursuing this career path.

1. Earn your degree.

Directors of operations typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, such as business administration or business management. According to Zippia, 66.5 percent of operations directors have a bachelor's degree [1].

Because an operations director is a senior role, it may help to have a master's degree, such as an MBA. You’ll learn relevant skills through your MBA coursework, including business ethics, business analytics, decision-making in business, operations management, and leadership. 

2. Gain professional experience.

Relevant professional experience is a requirement to work as a director of operations, ideally in business management positions, but experience doesn’t necessarily have to be in the same industry. Employers will likely seek candidates with extensive leadership experience of 10 years or more. 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. A few common certifications for director of operations include: 

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified Manager Certification (CM)

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

Read more: How to List Certifications on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

4. Hone your skills.

A director of operations must be comfortable making decisions, possess leadership abilities, and be an effective communicator. If you're hoping to one day become a director of operations, here's how you can expect to use these job-critical skills in the role:

• Decision-making: A director of operations must be able to make smart 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 performance metrics regarding sales, customer service, employees, or a company's software system. 

• Leadership: A director of operations leads managers within a company and other employees. Leadership often requires the ability to empathize, motivate, and guide. Having strong leadership skills is key 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, effective communication is an essential skill, as is informing new policies and procedures created by executives to the managers that implement them. 

5. Master business processes.

To effectively perform their duties, a director of operations must thoroughly understand business processes. Common 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 in general, are processes most businesses need to manage to ensure a smooth operation. Operations directors need an understanding of a company’s products or services, from production to purchasing, in order to perform their duties to the highest possible standard.

For more ideas on processes in operations, watch this video, "Thinking About Work as a Process."

Typical career trajectory for a director of operations

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:

• Human resources manager

• Office manager 

• Business analyst 

• Project manager 

Another possible career path for this role may be working as a business operations manager at a small start-up company. Sometimes smaller companies will have fewer roles and divisions to manage, so you might find fewer requirements. These positions can give you the experience you need to catapult your career as a director of operations.  It’s possible to 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.

Get started in operations with Coursera

Build a strong foundation in project management to strengthen your organization, communication, and management skills. Consider enrolling in the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Over six courses, you'll learn the foundations of Agile project management and how to practice strategic communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management through real-world scenarios.