Thechief operating officer (COO) is a senior executive who oversees the operations of an organization. He or she is the second in command in the "C-suite" of a company, and one of the highest-ranking positions in the organization. As such, he or she must have a thorough understanding of the entire business, and be capable of communicating with the CEO to drive overall strategy. If you're interested in becoming a COO, there are several ways to prepare yourself for the position. Duties of a chief operating officer The duties of a chief operating officer include overseeing and implementing the overall business strategy. The COO reports directly to the CEO, but may also work with senior management on longer-term challenges. The COO also serves as a liaison between lower-level managers and executives. He must communicate any changes to management decisions, including changes in strategy, to all employees. In addition, he may have to communicate with various departments within the organization to communicate changes to the overall business strategy. A COO oversees daily business operations, including marketing and sales. This position is growth-oriented, entrepreneurial, and responsible for maintaining proper administrative, reporting, and people systems. Duties of a chief operating officer may include coaching employees, hiring and firing, and developing and implementing strategic goals. Moreover, the COO oversees the company's culture, communicating the strategic direction to employees and making sure that all employees are following company policies. When hiring a COO, the CEO should ensure that the new hire has the necessary skills, background, and experience to successfully lead the company. The COO and CEO should be comfortable communicating with one another. Besides, there should be clear expectations and timing for the transition. If there's any doubt in the mind of either, a COO should be considered for the position. A COO typically reports to the CEO, but is responsible for overseeing daily operations and answering questions from senior management. The duties of a chief operating officer vary from company to company. They include overseeing daily operations and aligning them with the business strategy. The role requires strong leadership skills and excellent organizational skills. A CEO is responsible for the public face of the organization, so he or she will also oversee public relations communications and marketing. The COO will assist in these efforts, helping the CEO execute the strategic vision. A COO should be capable of delivering on both of these duties. Today'sCOO must be flexible and adaptable. Consumer behavior and workplace requirements are constantly changing. It is necessary for the COO to have the ability to pivot quickly and successfully navigate uncharted waters. An ideal COO will have a proven track record of navigating and driving innovation. In addition to these qualities, the COO must be able to develop innovative approaches to meet the organization's goals. A COO must be able to balance the operational aspect of the business with the strategic one. Education required The education required for a chief operating officer position depends on the position's specific requirements. Most COOs start their career within a company and work their way up. Bachelor's degrees in business management are an excellent starting point. Business management programs teach subjects like marketing, finance, and strategy. Those who wish to pursue a career in this role should consider taking courses that focus on leadership and strategy. However, some certifications are helpful, such as the Project Management Professional or Certified Professional in Human Resources. As a part of their education, candidates for this position need to have extensive work experience in a particular industry. A Master of Business Administration degree is also highly relevant. A four-year degree in business administration is recommended. You can also try internships or an MBA program to develop your skills and network. If you are unable to find work within your industry, you may have to seek out other opportunities. The education required for a chief operating officer role varies depending on the industry and the company. The salary for a chief executive position depends on their area of expertise, experience, education, and certifications. In the United States, approximately 309,000 people hold the title of chief executive. The median annual salary for these individuals is $183,270. Earning potential varies based on the industry and the number of years in the job. To become a chief operating officer, you will need a combination of substantial experience and education. Although a bachelor's degree is typically required, many organizations prefer applicants with an MBA. Obtaining a master's degree is the minimum educational requirement for a chief operations officer. A doctorate degree is also a desirable qualification. A doctorate degree in healthcare management may prove beneficial to a chief operating officer. It is possible to earn a doctorate degree in business management or health administration. The role of a chief operating officer may also require additional leadership training and experience. There are numerous educational requirements, however, so it is important to choose a master's program carefully. Work experience required A Chief Operating Officer's job involves overseeing various departments, so a solid education is essential. While many aspiring C-suite executives excel in high school, a Bachelor of Science in business or a related field will give them the necessary experience to be a successful leader. However, an MBA in operations or product management will add a valuable skill to their resume. In general, though, the job requires many years of experience in a variety of operations. A COO's job requires regular decision-making regarding the company's daily operations. He may also be responsible for addressing operational problems and working with the CEO to resolve longer-term issues. This position requires significant delegating and leadership skills, as it is critical to maintaining efficiency. Having separate tasks prevents one professional from taking on too many operational duties. But in order to excel at the job, you must be highly organized and self-motivated. If you'd like to be a Chief Operating Officer, you must have at least 10 years of management and clinical experience. For the best chance of success, you'll want to start building an impressive resume while still in college. For example, you might work as an administrative assistant before moving up to a patient services manager or account manager. Eventually, you might move to a clinical director position. In addition, you might consider attending graduate school to hone your leadership skills. A Certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives will also help you advance in your career. A Chief Operating Officer earns an average salary of $120,047 per year, although the exact amount can vary greatly depending on the size of the organization and the level of experience of the candidate. A COO usually works in a large office setting, and will have close ties with the CEO, other senior staff, and other key members of the company. The Chief Operating Officer's role is crucial to the success of the organization. While the work experience required for a COO varies by company, the position usually requires at least 15 years of experience and five years in a senior management position. Many COOs are hired by large health centers or medical groups, but the job could also be done by an individual with a broad background in the field. The job of Chief Operating Officer is not an easy position, but it does require extensive training and experience in the field. Communication between CEO and COO The first step in effective communication between the CEO and COO is an honest conversation. Outline each other's strengths and weaknesses, areas of interest, and expectations. This matrix of responsibilities becomes the first draft of the organization's operating manual and defines the division of responsibilities. It's imperative to communicate this early in the relationship, so that everyone feels comfortable discussing issues that may arise. It will also serve as a guide for both sides to make decisions in a collaborative manner. While the CEO can be the authority in the meeting, he/she should respect the role of the COO. Often, the COO feels like he or she needs to speak up to provide more information. It's easy to overtalk someone in a meeting, but this will only result in lopsided communication. The COO's role becomes increasingly less relevant when the CEO is constantly talking and the COO's role falls by the wayside. The CEO's role is to set the overallstrategy for the organization, while the COO is responsible for day-to-day operations. The COO is the bridge between the CEO and lower-level management. He must communicate changes in strategy and daily operational tasks to employees. He must also communicate management decisions to department heads and lower-level managers. The CEO must be comfortable with the COO's responsibilities and be able to communicate them to the organization. Effective communication between the CEO and the COO is key to the success of any organization. CEOs have been forced to step down due to failure to lack of communication. But the CEO can help create better communication by facilitating honest discussions. By communicating openly and honestly, both sides will feel heard and motivated. The goal of the frank conversation is to ensure that no question remains unanswered. This is especially important because each of the members of the management team needs to feel heard and listened to. The roles of the COO vary depending on the size of the organization. In general, the COO works closely with the CEO to implement the company's business strategy. However, the COO is often the second-in-command in a company. The role of the COO can range from overseeing different business functions to establishing the strategic direction of the company. These duties are not exhaustive. They can also include directing critical projects.