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What is a director of operations administration and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Ben Littlepage

A director of operations administration is someone responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of a company or organization. This includes managing employees, developing and implementing policies and procedures, and ensuring that operations run smoothly. They are also responsible for managing budgets, analyzing financial data, and making strategic decisions to improve the overall performance of the organization. A director of operations administration works closely with other senior leaders to develop business strategies and plans.

What general advice would you give to a director of operations administration?

Dr. Ben LittlepageDr. Ben Littlepage LinkedIn profile

Professor, Murray State University

I believe skills associated with organizational systems (e.g. procedures, processes) and hybridized management are essential for the field. Organizations (e.g. schools, institutions) will continue to be lean for a variety of reasons. The ability to achieve results by refining systems and maximizing resources cannot be understated. Hybrid work schedules and communication are not leaving education. Leaders that embrace hybridized technologies for assessment, employee satisfaction and development, and content delivery will remain competitive in the face of a private market looking to capitalize on laggard leaders.
ScoreDirector Of Operations AdministrationUS Average
Salary
5.6

Avg. Salary $71,311

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.31%

Black or African American 6.12%

Hispanic or Latino 14.98%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.79%

Gender

female 53.29%

male 46.71%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a director of operations administration?

Pros

  • High level of responsibility and decision-making authority

  • Opportunity to make a significant impact on the success of the organization

  • Varied and challenging work with opportunities for professional growth and development

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Direct involvement in strategic planning and goal-setting

Cons

  • Long hours may be required, especially during busy periods or when dealing with crises

  • Significant pressure to perform at a high level and deliver results

  • Constant need to balance competing priorities and demands from different stakeholders

  • Lack of control over external factors that can impact the business, such as changes in regulations or economic conditions

  • Potential for conflict with other departments or team members who may have different priorities or goals

Director of operations administration career paths

Key steps to become a director of operations administration

  1. Explore director of operations administration education requirements

    Most common director of operations administration degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.1 %

    Master's

    16.2 %

    Associate

    13.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific director of operations administration skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Oversight9.70%
    Project Management8.75%
    Patient Care8.55%
    Home Health8.47%
    Financial Management7.36%
  3. Complete relevant director of operations administration training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of operations administration learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of operations administration based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of operations administration resumes.
  4. Research director of operations administration duties and responsibilities

    • Develop and manage human resource programs and procedures including payroll and benefits.
    • Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
    • Direct all aspects of administrative management, budget and forecast management, financial reporting, financial analysis, investments and payroll.
    • Work on operational assignments and oversight delegate by the President/CEO- ensures timely implementation and execution of assignments.
  5. Get director of operations administration experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director of operations administration. The most common roles before becoming a director of operations administration include office manager, operations manager team lead and operations director.
  6. Prepare your director of operations administration resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of operations administration resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of operations administration resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable director of operations administration resume templates

    Build a professional director of operations administration resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of operations administration resume.
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
    Director Of Operations Administration Resume
  7. Apply for director of operations administration jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director of operations administration job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first director of operations administration job

Zippi

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Average director of operations administration salary

The average director of operations administration salary in the United States is $71,311 per year or $34 per hour. Director of operations administration salaries range between $44,000 and $113,000 per year.

Average director of operations administration salary
$71,311 Yearly
$34.28 hourly

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How do directors of operations administration rate their job?

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Director of operations administration reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2022
Pros

It provides me an opportunity to actively employ my passion for a leadership, while taking ideas from other people, above my position and developing leaders that work in my group. I have taught many classes in Customer Service, Communications Skills, Leadership and many others, for the State of NH, Federal Government and colleges and universities, including Entrepreneurship, for SNHU.

Cons

Being restricted to working with a smaller group, than might need Leadership training and coaching.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Cons

Cannot have true friends at work because you are at the top, board members if they don't get your work but insist on being involved, overdemanding funders.

Pros

Working with teams, creating and sustaining service delivery systems, variety of tasks and projects, making it happen.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

Antigienic people, irresponsible people, lazy employees


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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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