The director of operations is in charge of a company’s day-to-day operations. In the majority of cases, he or she reports to the company’s CEO. The director of operations, also known as the chief operating officer, is expected to be well-educated and experienced before taking on the role. You’ll need to carefully plan your education and work experience to become a director of operations.
Get a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). The coursework required to earn this degree will help you prepare for the job. You will learn management skills in addition to economics, finance, and business, which will be useful in your quest to become a director of operations. While you may be able to achieve this goal without an MBA, the vast majority of employers will require one, and having one increases your job prospects.
Improve your communication abilities. You’ll need to communicate effectively with members of upper management. Sales, purchasing, and manufacturing may be among the departments you supervise, so you’ll need to be able to communicate with a variety of personalities. Work as a supervisory assistant to advance your pre-director career. Whether you’re a plant manager or the CEO of a financial firm, make sure you advance to higher levels of responsibility on your way to becoming a director of operations.
In addition to gaining supervisory experience, look for jobs that require a knowledge of revenue. This shows that you understand the importance of the bottom line to the company where you want to work as a director of operations. To demonstrate your value as a future director of operations, you must also have prior experience improving company efficiency. As a director of operations, you may work for both public and private entities, as well as nonprofit organizations. Volunteer as a director for a small nonprofit organization if you have the opportunity.
Make connections in the business community where you want to work. Attend business leader meetings, civic club activities, and corporate events. Strengthen your professional network using business-oriented social media sites.
Make use of all of the resources at your disposal to look for director of operations positions. A professional placement agency could also be useful. Send your resume to business contacts who are aware of your desire to work as a director of operations. Learn about the company to help you prepare for the interview. Use the data to prepare for your interview, which should include suggestions for how to improve the company’s bottom line if you’re hired.