Post job

What is a director/operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Eric Olsen

Director/operations managers are responsible for managing the overall operations and the effective management of labor, productivity, quality control, and safety measures as established and set for the operations department. They ensure safe and efficient operations and enhance representation on regulatory issues. They also enhance the operational procedure, systems, and principles in the areas of information flow.

Director/operations managers ensure all operations are carried on in an appropriate, cost-effective way. They help the organization's processes remain legally compliant and examine financial data and use them to improve profitability. They also manage budgets and forecasts, perform quality controls, and find ways to increase the quality of customer service. A great director/operations manager needs to possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

Director/operations managers typically hold a bachelor's degree in business, operations management, or other related fields. They are expected to have proven work experience as an operations manager or a similar role and knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management.

What general advice would you give to a director/operations manager?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.
ScoreDirector/Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.8

Avg. Salary $108,519

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 6.42%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.40%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.13%

Gender

female 29.58%

male 70.42%

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

Director/operations manager career paths

Key steps to become a director/operations manager

  1. Explore director/operations manager education requirements

    Most common director/operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.8 %

    Associate

    15.4 %

    Master's

    11.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific director/operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service13.46%
    Financial Statements8.94%
    Payroll8.12%
    Safety Program7.51%
    ISO6.90%
  3. Complete relevant director/operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New director/operations managers 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/operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director/operations manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional director/operations manager certifications

    Director/operations manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific director/operations manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for director/operations managers include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research director/operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead high-profile ERP implementation team and ISO 9001:2000 team, ensuring seamless technology and standards integration and conducting internal ISO audits.
    • Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
    • Generate reports for divisional managers, and participate in reviews to ensure standards of safety and ISO compliance have been meet.
    • Coordinate equipment vendors, oversight of training, procedures, facility testing and transitional operation.
  6. Prepare your director/operations manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director/operations manager 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/operations manager 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/operations manager resume templates

    Build a professional director/operations manager 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/operations manager resume.
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
    Director/Operations Manager Resume
  7. Apply for director/operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director/operations manager 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/operations manager job

Zippi

Are you a director/operations manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average director/operations manager salary

The average director/operations manager salary in the United States is $108,519 per year or $52 per hour. Director/operations manager salaries range between $73,000 and $161,000 per year.

Average director/operations manager salary
$108,519 Yearly
$52.17 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do director/operations managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Director/operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

I love being able to mold my team and the distribution center to the culture of respect and accountability! Having senior and executive leadership support is a huge positive factor in making this happen!!

Cons

Long hours and calls outside of regular business hours are the norm!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

I love it and I wish I was back at my old job but I guess it is what it is

Cons

Not being loyal


Working as a director/operations manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse executive management jobs