Chief Operating Officer Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Department: Executive Leadership Location: [City, State] — On-site / Hybrid Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Direct Reports: [VP Engineering / VP Sales / VP Finance / VP People / VP Marketing — list actual] Employment Type: Full-Time About [Company] [Company] is a [stage: Series C / PE-backed / public] [industry] company generating [$X]M in annual revenue with [X] employees across [X] locations. We are at an inflection point — [describe the growth challenge: scaling from 200 to 500 people / entering international markets / integrating a recent acquisition] — and need a world-class operator to build the machine that gets us there. About the Role The Chief Operating Officer will serve as the operational CEO — running the company's day-to-day execution, developing the senior leadership team, and building the systems, processes, and culture that enable sustainable, profitable scale. You will be a strategic partner to the CEO, a direct manager to the functional leadership team, and the organizational architect who determines how [Company] operates at 3x its current size. Key Responsibilities • Own all day-to-day company operations: hold the leadership team accountable to goals, remove blockers at scale, and resolve cross-functional conflicts swiftly. • Develop and execute the annual operating plan — translate company strategy into departmental goals, resource allocation, and measurable quarterly milestones. • Build, develop, and retain a high-performance senior leadership team; conduct regular leadership reviews and calibration sessions. • Establish and drive the company's OKR or equivalent operating cadence — weekly leadership syncs, monthly business reviews, and quarterly all-hands. • Own key operational metrics: headcount efficiency, revenue per employee, EBITDA margin, and customer satisfaction/NPS. • Lead organizational design decisions — when to hire, when to restructure, how to create the organizational architecture for the next phase of growth. • Partner with the CEO on fundraising or investor reporting as needed; represent operations in board settings. • Drive strategic cross-functional initiatives including M&A integration, major product launches, and geographic expansion. • Build scalable operational infrastructure: policies, systems, and processes that eliminate dependency on individual heroics. • Model and reinforce the company's culture and values as the most visible internal leader after the CEO. Required Qualifications • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a VP or C-suite role with cross-functional accountability. • Demonstrated track record of scaling an organization through at least one significant inflection point (Series B→D, $50M→$200M revenue, or equivalent). • Strong financial acumen — able to own a P&L, manage a complex operating budget, and communicate financial performance to a board. • Exceptional people leadership: proven ability to build and retain high-performing, diverse leadership teams. • Executive-level communication and influence skills. • Bachelor's degree required; MBA from a leading program strongly preferred. Nice to Have • Prior experience as COO, President, or division GM at a comparable company. • Experience with the specific company stage (e.g., Series C SaaS, PE-backed industrials, or public company transformation). • International scaling experience. What We Offer • Base salary: $175,000 – $300,000 depending on experience and company stage • Annual performance bonus: 20–40% of base tied to company performance • Significant equity participation: [X]% fully diluted / RSUs — describe vesting schedule • Comprehensive executive benefits package • 401(k) with company match • Executive coaching and board-level mentorship • Opportunity to shape a company at a pivotal moment