Why a COO Is More Than Just an Operational Leader—They’re Your Second-in-Command
Understanding the True Role of a COO
As a business owner scaling beyond the early stages, you might wonder whether you need a Chief Operating Officer (COO) or an Operations Manager. These roles may sound similar, but they serve vastly different functions in an organization.
An Operations Manager focuses exclusively on operations, ensuring systems and workflows run smoothly. Conversely, a COO is a second-in-command, overseeing operations and the entire business, including marketing, sales, finance, technology, and team leadership.
For CEOs and Visionaries, the COO is the bridge between strategy and execution, allowing you to focus on growth while ensuring every part of the business moves forward in alignment with your vision.
So, how do you know whether you need a COO or an Operations Manager? Let’s break it down.
What Does an Operations Manager Do?
An Operations Manager (or Chief Operations Officer in some companies) plays a crucial role in keeping daily operations on track. Their core focus is efficiency—ensuring projects stay on schedule, teams are productive, and systems are running as expected.
💡 Key Responsibilities of an Operations Manager:
- Managing day-to-day operations, workflows, and team productivity
- Overseeing internal systems, logistics, and project timelines
- Improving efficiency within existing processes
- Handling administrative responsibilities related to operations
- Reporting on operational metrics and performance
👉 Where They Fit:
An Operations Manager is ideal for a business that needs structure but isn’t yet at a stage where high-level strategy and cross-functional leadership are required. They manage operations but do not lead the business at a strategic level.
What Does a COO Do?
A COO (Chief Operating Officer) is the second-in-command, working alongside the CEO to drive the entire business forward—not just operations. They translate the CEO’s vision into an actionable plan, ensuring that every function—operations, marketing, sales, finance, team leadership, and more—is aligned for growth.
💡 Key Responsibilities of a COO:
- Overseeing all key functions of the business: Operations, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and Technology
- Acting as the CEO’s right hand, implementing the business vision and strategic goals
- Leading and managing teams, ensuring accountability and performance
- Driving profitability and business growth beyond just efficiency
- Holding departments accountable for results and ensuring alignment
👉 Where They Fit:
A COO is essential for businesses looking to scale, where the CEO can no longer manage every function and needs a trusted leader to take ownership of execution and team leadership.
🚀 Read More: If you’re wondering whether your business is at this stage, check out 8 Signs Your Business Needs a Fractional COO.
Key Differences Between a COO and an Operations Manager
🚀 Read More: Learn how a COO aligns your entire business in How a COO Aligns the Visionary, Team, and Execution.
How to Know If You Need a COO Instead of an Operations Manager
If your business is:
✅ Scaling beyond $1M+ in revenue and growing quickly
✅ Expanding into new markets, products, or services
✅ Needing structure and leadership across multiple business functions
✅ Overwhelming for you as the CEO to manage alone
✅ Requiring more than just efficiency—it needs strategy, leadership, and execution
… then you need a COO, not just an Operations Manager.
If your business isn’t quite at this stage yet and you only need operational support, an Operations Manager or OBM (Online Business Manager) may be a better fit.
Why a Fractional COO Might Be the Right Solution
Hiring a full-time COO is a significant commitment—both financially and structurally. Many scaling businesses aren’t quite ready for a six-figure executive hire, which is where a Fractional COO comes in.
✅ A Fractional COO gives you the expertise and leadership of a COO—without the full-time cost.
✅ They oversee the entire business, not just operations, creating alignment and execution across all functions.
✅ They work alongside the CEO as a trusted second-in-command, driving strategy and results.
🚀 Read More: Learn more about the benefits of Fractional COOs in What is a Fractional COO?
The Right Leadership for Your Business
An Operations Manager keeps your business running smoothly. A COO ensures your business is scaling efficiently.
If you’re a CEO spending too much time managing daily operations instead of focusing on strategy and growth, it’s time to consider hiring a COO.
💡 Next Steps: If you’re ready to explore how a Fractional COO can step in and transform your business operations, let’s talk. Schedule a call today to see if your business is the right fit.
