Executive director of operations vs operations manager

The differences between executive directors of operations and operations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an executive director of operations and an operations manager. Additionally, an executive director of operations has an average salary of $131,945, which is higher than the $76,894 average annual salary of an operations manager.

The top three skills for an executive director of operations include operations management, customer satisfaction and financial management. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Executive director of operations vs operations manager overview

	Executive Director Of Operations	Operations Manager
Yearly salary	$131,945	$76,894
Hourly rate	$63.44	$36.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	194,783	343,868
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does an executive director of operations do?

Executive Directors of Operations are top management employees of a nonprofit. They manage the whole operations of the company. They set annual strategic goals to bring the company closer to its vision. They oversee all of the company's programs and ensure that these programs are in line with the company's vision and mission. They also ensure that the partnerships formed with other organizations remain strong. As leaders, they are expected to motivate and inspire the employees to work well together. Executive Directors of Operations represent the company in external events, industry functions, and other activities.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Executive director of operations vs operations manager salary

Executive directors of operations and operations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Executive Director Of Operations	Operations Manager
Average salary	$131,945	$76,894
Salary range	Between $85,000 And $203,000	Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Delaware
Best paying company	Billings Clinic	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between executive director of operations and operations manager education

There are a few differences between an executive director of operations and an operations manager in terms of educational background:

	Executive Director Of Operations	Operations Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Executive director of operations vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between executive directors of operations' and operations managers' demographics:

	Executive Director Of Operations	Operations Manager
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9%	Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between executive director of operations and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Executive director of operations example responsibilities.

Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
Design, implementation and parental oversight of local operational policies and processes.
Assure high-level supply chain management for distribution logistics purposes and direct clientele relations.
Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight of company operations.
Direct $2.4 billion facility with over 1,200 associates to administer effective technology distribution and third-party logistics functions.
Develop numerous tactics, techniques and procedures necessary for the successful employment of reconnaissance aircraft supporting military combat forces.

Operations manager example responsibilities.

Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.

Executive director of operations vs operations manager skills

Common executive director of operations skills

Operations Management, 13%
Customer Satisfaction, 8%
Financial Management, 8%
Oversight, 7%
Medicare, 7%
Home Health, 6%

Common operations manager skills

Customer Service, 23%
Logistics, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Project Management, 4%
Process Improvement, 4%

Executive Director Of Operations vs. similar jobs

Executive Director Of Operations related careers

Executive Director Of Operations related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Executive Director Of Operations
Executive Director Of Operations vs Operations Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs