What does an operations director do?
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.
Operations director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real operations director resumes:
- Manage KPI reports from all warranty companies to ensure increasing sales and productivity.
- Spearhead governance, security and compliance initiatives to achieve SOX and PCI compliance.
- Manage a PMO style team to implement any changes across the global contact centers.
- Develop all marketing strategies and materials as well as personally managing key OEM and national accounts.
- Manage multiple vendor relationships for RFP development and review, contract negotiation, contract terms management, and accounts payable review.
- Provide leadership to manufacturing organization by aligning overall KPIs to achieve near term and long term business objectives.
- Assist the implementation team with systematic implementation of ERP modules, provide oversight with project management and facilitate change management process.
- Answer all sales calls and run the whole sales floor.
- Create and run organization s nationally known website.
- Create and implement individual and team metrics (KPI's).
- Develop and maintain station FCC public file in adherence with federal requirements.
- Work a daily air shift, oversee maintenance of FCC requirements and scheduling.
- Develop metrics and reports to prove performance and ensure SLA's are met.
- Implement SEO strategies focusing keyword priorities and how they integrate into content marketing plans.
- Assist EVP in charge of firm-wide operations, systems and administration locate in Weehawken, NJ.
Operations director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Operations Directors are proficient in Customer Service, Continuous Improvement, and Oversight. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Operations Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 12%
Implemented processes and developed action plans to improve overall performance, customer service issues and ensure overall operational integrity and compliance.
- Continuous Improvement, 7%
Facilitate effective and efficient operations in a rapidly evolving business environment by delivering continuous improvements to customer service and office procedures.
- Oversight, 7%
Implemented a robust testing protocol including the formation and oversight of dedicated test districts to validate system-wide feasibility of field-focused initiatives.
- Patients, 6%
Cultivated transparent communication among patients, physicians, hospital personnel, and internal customers to achieve peak levels of client satisfaction.
- Project Management, 5%
Collaborated with newly formed Project Management Office to implement protocols such as training programs, resource management and annual strategic planning.
- Human Resources, 4%
Supervised three divisions; including productivity initiatives, budgeting and operations, procurement and payroll, human resources and safety programs.
Common skills that an operations director uses to do their job include "customer service," "continuous improvement," and "oversight." You can find details on the most important operations director responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an operations director 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 operations director resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "set daily and monthly goals, analyzed conversion, sales and financial reports for timely communication with staff at all levels. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform operations director duties is leadership skills. Operations directors responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Operations directors also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided leadership over manufacturing, planning/purchasing and engineering in an fda regulated facility with complete p&l; responsibility. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain operations director responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an operations director rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what operations directors do: "control solutions needed to pass audits by dod and fda to meet contract requirements in two new plants. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for an operations director to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what operations directors 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 operations director duties can be seen in an example from an operations director resume snippet: "meet extreme deadlines and attention to details that meet the associations specification produced budget and timely financial reports for board meetings. "
The three companies that hire the most operations directors are:
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Compare different operations directors
Operations director vs. Assistant vice president operations
An assistant vice president of operations is responsible for monitoring the company's operational and production processes to ensure high-quality deliverables and achieve the highest client satisfaction. Assistant vice presidents of operations join the senior management team in implementing corporate decisions to enhance the efficiency and stability of the company to provide timely services for the clients and business partners. They also review financial and business transactions, identify cost-reduction methodologies, and develop opportunities to generate revenues and increase profits.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between operations directors and assistant vice president operations. For instance, operations director responsibilities require skills such as "continuous improvement," "patients," "human resources," and "logistics." Whereas a assistant vice president operations is skilled in "avp," "risk management," "rehabilitation," and "internal audit." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Assistant vice presidents operations tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $96,274. In contrast, operations directors make the biggest average salary, $120,460, in the finance industry.assistant vice presidents operations tend to reach similar levels of education than operations directors. In fact, assistant vice presidents operations are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Operations director vs. Director, facilities & operations
Directors of facilities operations plan, organize and maintain the operations of an organization's infrastructure systems and facilities. They hire, evaluate, train, discipline, and recommend staff dismissal. These professionals develop, recommend and administer processes, procedures, and policies that support building maintenance operations and grounds maintenance operations. Besides monitoring and overseeing the external contractors' work to ensure the project runs smoothly, these professionals also collect and analyze several complex information and data, such as utility usage and utility costs.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that operations director responsibilities requires skills like "continuous improvement," "patients," "logistics," and "process improvement." But a director, facilities & operations might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "preventative maintenance," "plumbing," "facility operations," and "cleanliness."
Directors, facilities & operations may earn a lower salary than operations directors, but directors, facilities & operations earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $62,031. On the other hand, operations directors receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $120,460.In general, directors, facilities & operations achieve similar levels of education than operations directors. They're 1.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for operations directors in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Operations director vs. Executive director of operations
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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an operations director is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "continuous improvement," "patients," and "product development," while a typical executive director of operations is skilled in "operations management," "home health," "rehabilitation," and "nursing home."
Executive directors of operations make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $168,086. On the other hand, operations directors are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $120,460.executive directors of operations typically earn higher educational levels compared to operations directors. Specifically, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Operations director vs. Assistant director of operations
An assistant director of operations is responsible for overseeing the effectiveness of the department's operational processes, ensuring that the policies provide the highest customer satisfaction and outputs. Assistant directors of operations strategize goals and objectives to reach departmental targets according to business functions and requirements. They also identify training opportunities and programs to increase the productivity and efficiency of the staff. An assistant director of operations monitors the cost and expenses report, allocates resources, and develop business plans that would increase revenues for the business.
Types of operations director
Updated January 8, 2025
