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What does an executive director of operations do?

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

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Executive director of operations responsibilities

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

  • 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.
  • Exploit data from airborne reconnaissance platforms and ensure senior decision makers; maintain information superiority to prosecute combat operations.
  • Reduce payroll costs; implement cross-training programs for better utilization of food and beverage personnel resulting in improve member satisfaction.
  • Leverage extensive technical subject matter expertise to evaluate and improve image quality; develop models to demonstrate improvements in establish KPIs.
  • Maintain the companies QuickBooks accounting program for accounts receivables and accounts payables.
  • Ensure all operations are in accordance with FAA guidelines pursuant to HAZMAT-Air regulations, D.O.T ,
  • Monitor air traffic control, weather, airfield and airspace management, life support and FAA liaison operations.
  • Decrease spread of infections with hand hygiene per CDC/WHO guidelines (more stringent than CMS).
  • Exploit data from airborne reconnaissance platforms and ensure senior decision makers; maintain information superiority to prosecute combat operations.

Executive director of operations skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Executive Directors Of Operations are proficient in Operations Management, Customer Satisfaction, and Financial Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

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

  • Operations Management, 13%

    Experience in many aspects of operations management including Accounts receivable-payable.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 8%

    Implemented performance incentives and accountability reviews of two direct reporting property managers that greatly increased customer satisfaction and tenant referrals.

  • Financial Management, 8%

    Introduced financial management tools and taught entrepreneurial skills with NYU professor partnership.

  • Oversight, 7%

    Advanced to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight of company operations.

  • Medicare, 7%

    Accredited the hospital by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, Puerto Rico Department of Health and Medicare.

  • Home Health, 6%

    Inform CEO on current trends, problems, and activities in the home health care field to facilitate policy making.

"operations management," "customer satisfaction," and "financial management" are among the most common skills that executive directors of operations use at work. You can find even more executive director of operations responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an executive 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, an executive director of operations resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "provide guidance and resource authority to department managers to foster communication, process improvement, and strategic implementation towards casino objectives. "

Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling executive director of operations duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." According to an executive director of operations resume, here's how executive directors of operations can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provided senior leadership, oversight and management in sr. pastor s absence. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what executive directors of operations do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to executive 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 executive director of operations tasks: "developed and implemented all training programs for asp solutions, including application and train-the-trainer programs. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for an executive director of operations to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what executive 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 executive director of operations duties can be seen in an example from an executive director of operations resume snippet: "applied dynamic leadership prioritization and project management skills toward consistently achieving critical deadlines while maintaining superior quality standards. "

Most common executive director of operations skills

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Compare different executive directors of operations

Executive director of operations vs. Operations director

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.

The annual salary of operations directors is $27,895 lower than the average salary of executive directors of operations.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between executive directors of operations and operations directors are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer satisfaction, financial management, and oversight.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, executive director of operations responsibilities require skills like "operations management," "home health," "rehabilitation," and "nursing home." Meanwhile a typical operations director has skills in areas such as "customer service," "continuous improvement," "patients," and "product development." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Operations directors earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $120,460. On the other hand, executive directors of operations are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $168,086.The education levels that operations directors earn slightly differ from executive directors of operations. In particular, operations directors are 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an executive director of operations. Additionally, they're 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive director of operations vs. Operations manager

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.

On average, operations managers earn a $55,051 lower salary than executive 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 executive directors of operations and operations managers have skills such as "customer satisfaction," "oversight," and "project management. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real executive director of operations resumes. While executive director of operations responsibilities can utilize skills like "operations management," "financial management," "medicare," and "home health," operations managers use skills like "customer service," "continuous improvement," "powerpoint," and "loss prevention."

Operations managers earn a lower average salary than executive directors of operations. But operations managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $96,779. Additionally, executive directors of operations earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $168,086 annually.operations managers earn lower levels of education than executive directors of operations in general. They're 10.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Executive directors of operations in the next 3-5 years?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

We are doubling down on what we call "digital fabrication." Most manufacturing technologies we deal with now have a growing digital component that our students need to understand and be competent in. Of course, that means current hot exotics like additive manufacturing, but our students need to look at any process and realize there is probably a digitally enhanced path forward.

Executive director of operations vs. Managing director

A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.

On average, managing directors earn lower salaries than executive directors of operations, with a $2,255 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on executive directors of operations and managing directors resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "financial management," "oversight," and "project management.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, executive directors of operations are more likely to have skills like "operations management," "customer satisfaction," "medicare," and "home health." But a managing director is more likely to have skills like "healthcare," "portfolio," "customer service," and "financial services."

Managing directors make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $177,065. On the other hand, executive directors of operations are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $168,086.When it comes to education, managing directors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to executive directors of operations. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Executive director of operations vs. Area director

Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.

Area directors average a lower salary than the annual salary of executive directors of operations. The difference is about $31,512 per year.While their salaries may vary, executive directors of operations and area directors both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer satisfaction," "financial management," and "oversight. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An executive director of operations uses "operations management," "rehabilitation," "project management," and "nursing home." Area directors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "patients," "compassion," and "direct supervision. "In general, area directors earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $110,804. The highest-paying industry for an executive director of operations is the finance industry.area directors reach similar levels of education compared to executive directors of operations, in general. The difference is that they're 4.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of executive 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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