Chief Operations Officer
The chief operations officer (COO) of a business occupies the second tier below the CEO and/or chairperson, which means that they have incredible influence and responsibility in the company, especially if it’s a large one. It’s an executive position, serving on the board, but the specific responsibilities vary from business to business and sector to sector.
There’s usually just one chief operations officer in a production and operations company, but they will usually be on a par with other executives such as finance, marketing, innovation or specific disciplines that are unique to the company. What makes the COO different is that their role will be to oversee the actual workings of the business, from sourcing resources to manufacture, design and delivery. Needless to say, they’ll have a dedicated team and possibly several layers of management between themselves and the shop floor, but as far as the core operations of the business are concerned, the buck stops with the COO.
In short, their responsibility is to ensure the decisions made by the CEO or chair (or other body depending on the structure of the company) are implemented within the boundaries set by the other executives.
The skills required
Chief operations officer jobs are usually filled by people who are already at the top of their game in the businesses they currently work in, and will be senior persons with highly impressive CVs and track records of delivering successfully wherever they have worked. If you’ve overseen the implementation of complex operations systems that have delivered on corporate goals for your previous employers, there will always be COO jobs with your name on them.
At this level, you’ll also be well connected in your industry and in the wider business world, as you’ll often need to draw on those connections to get things done. You’ll be excellent at communicating the often complicated plans and aims of the company to your subordinates, who may themselves occupy executive positions, while remaining on the ball and able to deeply monitor progress to steer projects in the right direction.
Chief Operations Officer Jobs in Edinburgh
Known for its romantic skyline, beautiful castle and fascinating history, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the second most populated city north of the border.
People have been living in Auld Reekie, as it is affectionately known by locals, since at least the Bronze Age and throughout the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, it flourished as a market town, a royal burgh and a centre of commerce and culture.
During the Industrial Revolution, the city began to spread outwards in every direction. As more people came to the city, tenement flats were built and factories and businesses established. While Glasgow may have overtaken the capital during this period in terms of economy and population, Edinburgh maintained its prominence and continued to thrive.
After devolution in 1999, Edinburgh became the home of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive. Today, the city is the heart of the Scottish government. It also plays an important part in other sectors, such as finance, publishing, media and tourism, offering a wealth of opportunities for those seeking Chief Operations Officer jobs.
Companies based in Edinburgh today include Edinburgh University Press, The Scotsman, HBOS, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, Rockstar North and Caledonian Breweries.
In addition, the city hosts the Edinburgh Festival every year. Comprising a number of different events like the International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, this is a month-long celebration of music and theatre, comedy and the arts.
Popular locations
COO jobs are needed now
Companies are always looking for executive level talent to come in and manage radical changes or oversee efficiency drives. These are quite often on an interim or short-term contractual basis, but other times you’ll be steering a company for many years. If you’re an experienced COO and are used to working at this level of pressure and responsibility, please register your details with us by clicking the link below.
If you’re running a business and are looking for a talented chief operations office, please call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345 and speak to one of our consultants. We only deal with professional level talent, and we’re sure to be able to bring you a superb shortlist.
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