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What does a deputy director of operations do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A Deputy Director of Operations leads and manages the operations teams to fit the purpose and act as per the company's needs. They take part in strategic and daily management decisions as to the senior management team members. They also ensure the company follows recommendation operations and take crucial steps to deal with audit findings. Moreover, these professionals update and create necessary procedures.

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Deputy director of operations responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real deputy director of operations resumes:

  • Manage portfolio of lean projects initiate to improve nuclear operations support mission inspections and establish executive council to provide oversight.
  • Leverage extensive technical subject matter expertise to evaluate and improve image quality; develop models to demonstrate improvements in establish KPIs.
  • Maintain and approve corporate Facebook page.

Deputy director of operations skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Deputy Directors Of Operations are proficient in Human Resources, Direct Oversight, and Direct Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

We break down the percentage of Deputy Directors Of Operations that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Human Resources, 15%

    Partner with the Executive Directory in essential internal firm leadership activities (human resources, administration, and organizational planning).

  • Direct Oversight, 8%

    Provide direct oversight of Operations for various Programs and Services in a fast-past, rapidly growing non-profit organization.

  • Direct Reports, 6%

    Direct reports to the Federal Transportation Administration.

  • DOD, 6%

    Designed and implemented a DoD program to improve transparency and accountability of combat equipment.

  • Program Management, 6%

    Pioneered use of knowledge management platform for program management recognized as a corporate best practice in internal and external audits.

  • Emergency Operations, 6%

    Directed, coordinated and assisted in the writing and signing of the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

Most deputy directors of operations use their skills in "human resources," "direct oversight," and "direct reports" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential deputy director of operations responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a deputy director of operations to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a deputy director of operations resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintained communications between dod operations teams of both iraqi/afghan transportation organizations. "

Leadership skills. Many deputy director of operations duties rely on leadership skills. "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.," so a deputy director of operations will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways deputy director of operations responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "provided team leadership and professional development to reports in day-to-day, crisis, combat, and recovery situations. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what deputy directors of operations do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to deputy director of operations responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical deputy director of operations tasks: "directed research to recommend and promote best technology solutions and tools for program management and operating efficiencies. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a deputy director of operations to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what deputy directors of operations relies on this skill, since "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." How this skill relates to deputy director of operations duties can be seen in an example from a deputy director of operations resume snippet: "established standards and repeatable processes to expedite implementation timelines and customer service sla's while meeting quality guidelines. "

All deputy director of operations skills

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Compare different deputy directors of operations

Deputy director of operations vs. Chief deputy

An operations project manager is responsible for monitoring the performance of the project team, ensuring that the operations meet the clients' standards and internal regulations with maximum productivity and efficiency. Operations project managers manage the department's budget and allocate materials and resources accurately, maintaining a record of expenses and costs forecasting. They coordinate with the clients, discussing project adjustments or additional tasks as needed, and lead project execution and deliverables by determining the team's needs and concerns, and enforcing strategic procedures.

If we compare the average deputy director of operations annual salary with that of a chief deputy, we find that chief deputies typically earn a $17,800 higher salary than deputy directors of operations make annually.Even though deputy directors of operations and chief deputies are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require human resources, dod, and strategic plan in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, deputy director of operations responsibilities require skills like "direct oversight," "direct reports," "program management," and "emergency operations." Meanwhile a typical chief deputy has skills in areas such as "oversight," "policy development," "financial reports," and "district court." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Chief deputies earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $151,936. On the other hand, deputy directors of operations are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $119,821.The education levels that chief deputies earn slightly differ from deputy directors of operations. In particular, chief deputies are 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a deputy director of operations. Additionally, they're 4.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Deputy director of operations vs. Operations project manager

The responsibilities of an operations vice president will revolve around overseeing business operations and ensuring workforce and workflow efficiency through evaluations and providing strategic plans that would drive the company to meet its vision and mission. An operations vice president, in adherence to the company policies and regulations, also has the power to hire and train employees, even to execute disciplinary actions such as termination or suspension when necessary. Furthermore, an operations vice president also has discretion in reviewing and approving reports and requirements in various aspects such as budgeting and new policies.

On average, operations project managers earn a $18,772 lower salary than deputy directors of operations a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both deputy directors of operations and operations project managers have skills such as "human resources," "direct reports," and "dod. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real deputy director of operations resumes. While deputy director of operations responsibilities can utilize skills like "direct oversight," "program management," "emergency operations," and "logistics support," operations project managers use skills like "project management," "business process," "provide management," and "operations project."

Operations project managers may earn a lower salary than deputy directors of operations, but operations project managers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $90,596. On the other hand, deputy directors of operations receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $119,821.operations project managers earn lower levels of education than deputy directors of operations in general. They're 9.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Deputy director of operations vs. Operations vice president

Operations directors oversee all company operations. They have the power to set the direction, change the course of the organization, and reform strategies to ensure efficiency in how the company operates. Operations directors manage business operations effectively by constantly analyzing company data and by anticipating any challenge that may come their way. As such, they make sound business decisions and recommendations that will help strengthen the organization. Operations directors oversee finances, quality control, and even human resources. They ensure that all aspects of the business are considered in making business operations decisions.

On average scale, operations vice presidents bring in higher salaries than deputy directors of operations. In fact, they earn a $53,952 higher salary per year.deputy directors of operations and operations vice presidents both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "human resources," "direct reports," and "business operations," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from deputy director of operations resumes include skills like "direct oversight," "dod," "program management," and "emergency operations," whereas an operations vice president is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "oversight," "project management," and "continuous improvement. "

Operations vice presidents make a very good living in the hospitality industry with an average annual salary of $167,073. On the other hand, deputy directors of operations are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $119,821.operations vice presidents typically earn lower educational levels compared to deputy directors of operations. Specifically, they're 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Deputy director of operations vs. Operations director

Operations directors tend to earn a lower pay than deputy directors of operations by an average of $5,074 per year.While both deputy directors of operations and operations directors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like human resources, direct reports, and business operations, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between deputy directors of operations and operations directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a deputy director of operations might have more use for skills like "direct oversight," "dod," "program management," and "emergency operations." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of operations directors require skills like "customer service," "continuous improvement," "oversight," and "patients. "

The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for operations directors, with average annual pay of $120,460. Comparatively, the highest deputy director of operations annual salary comes from the professional industry.operations directors reach lower levels of education compared to deputy directors of operations, in general. The difference is that they're 9.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of deputy director of operations

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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