Operations executives plan and direct the day-to-day and long-term operations of companies. Their responsibilities range from creating workplace policies and negotiating contracts to analyzing financial statements, establishing goals for departments, and identifying areas for improvement. While a bachelor's degree in business is typically required, many employers prefer a Master's in Business Administration. Additional qualifications include leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and several years of management experience. The median salary for operations executives is around $117,000 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though chief operating officers can earn over $420,000.

1. Job Description and Duties
'Operations executive' is a relatively broad career title and can refer to many different positions
where your specific duties may vary. Generally, operations executives plan and direct the day-to-
day and long-term operations of companies and businesses. They are responsible for many things
in a company, ranging from creating new workplace policies to negotiating new contracts with
another company. They also go over financial statements and sales reports of the company,
establishing new goals for a company's departments and identify areas within the company that
need improvement and where to cut costs.
Since companies might classify these positions differently, operations executive positions could
have different titles, such as 'director of operations' or 'operations manager'. Upper-level
management positions like these can have more hands-on duties, such as forming policies and
managingdaily operations,aswellasdirecting theuse ofpersonnel and company resources.Some
operations executivepositions areevenhigherup inthe company.Forexample,you couldbecome
a chief operating officer (COO), a position in which you would oversee other executives at your
company, such as those heading up the human resources department or sales department.
Salary and Outlook Information
Operations executives' salaries can depend simply on what type of position you hold, such as one
in upper-level management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that general and
operations managers made a median salary of about $117,000 as of 2014 (www.bls.gov). If you
gota job as a COO,you couldstandto makeevenmoremoney thana generaloperationsexecutive
or manager. According to Salary.com, COOs made a median annual salary of about $420,000 as
of July 2015.
You should expect an average growth in executive positions during the 2012-2022 decade. The
BLS reported that top executives can expect 12% percent employment growth during this time. It
was noted that employment growth could be affected by other factors such as mergers between
companies, which would decrease employment of managers and executives. However, it was also
noted that employment of executives and managers could grow with the formation of new
companies and organizations.
What are the Requirements?
Education Requirements
Operations executive positions typically require on-the-job experience in related positions and at
least a bachelor's degree in business or a field related to the actual job. Colleges and universities
usually offer degrees such as a Bachelor of Science in Business Management or a Bachelor of
Business Administration. Programs like these typically offer courses in operations management,
but also will require completion of coursework in macroeconomics, marketing strategy, business
communication and computer analysis. Some programs may require you to take part in an
internship with an outside company for some more hands-on experience. These programs also
require you to maintain a good cumulative GPA throughout your time in school, especially if you
wish to continue your studies in a business master's program.
Additional Requirements

2. Inorder to geta job as anoperations executive,you'llalsobe expected to havecertainskills. These
can include problem-solving and decision-making skills, which are integral in recognizing
problems within a company and having the ability to assess the possible courses of action and
choosing the best one. You should also have strong communication and leadership skills since
you'll be trying to effectively persuade others on business matters.
Finally,you shouldhavegoodtime-managementskills,since you'llbe responsible for many duties
at the same time, all with their own deadlines. You'll also be expected to develop leadership
experience through lower-level supervisory or management positions. Keep in mind that you'll
have to build leadership experience for several years - usually five or more - to qualify for an
executive position.
What Employers Are Looking For
Above all else, employers are looking for leadership qualities in operations executives, including
self-driven initiative, motivation abilities, great communication skills and a lot of previous
experience. Below are some examples of job postings opened in March 2012:
 A healthcare company in New York is looking for an executive director with exceptional
problem-solving and decision-making skills, leadership abilities and organizational skills,
as well as knowledge of federal and state health regulations and experience with budget
development and monitoring. While a bachelor's degree is required, a master's degree in
business is preferred.
 A travel, tourism and transportation company in Florida is looking for a director of
operations (operations manager) with proven communication skills, people skills for
customer relations and an ability to learn quickly. They're looking for someone with a
bachelor's degree in business or transportation.
 A nutritional supplement company in Florida is looking for a director of operations with a
vested interest in the natural supplements industry with strong teaching and time
management skills and ability to plan projects. The applicant should have five or more
years of supervisory experience and a bachelor's degree (though a master's is preferred).
How to Maximize Your Skills
Continuing Education
While employers usually only require you to have a bachelor's degree to qualify as an operations
executive, many prefer you to have an advanced degree in business. A master's degree in business
is typically called a Master of Business Administration (MBA). You may be able to enroll in one of
these programs on a full or part-time basis, depending on the school. When enrolled in an MBA
program, you can usually choose areas of emphasis, which can include operations management.
In addition to advanced business courses in operations management, organizational behavior,
global operations management and quality control, some schools may even require you to take
part in an international study abroad program or an operations management internship.
Get Certified
In addition to an MBA, there is little additional education you'd need to pursue. However,
according to the BLS, you canstill do a number of things to maximize your skills, such as in-house
company training programs, executive development programs and certification. You can pursue

3. Six Sigma certification, which some companies may also prefer. The program is designed to
improve performance in business-related occupations by getting rid of errors in methods that
weren't working. .
Anotheroption is to pursue a Certified Manager(CM) credentialthrough theInstituteofCertified
Professional Managers.Providedthatyou meettheeducationandexperiencerequirements,you'll
be required to pass three separate exams that assess your management knowledge by testing your
analytical skills, knowledge and decision-making abilities. The BLS stated that having
certification can highlight your competence in a management position and your potential as a
leader.

4. Pros and Cons of an Operations Executive Career
Despite not having a significant rate of employment growth during this decade, a job as an
operations executive can offer business-minded people a good annual wage. An operations
executive manages companies and guides them to meet the pre-determined operational goals.
Consider these pros and cons to determine if this career is a good fit for you.
PROS of an Operations Executive Career
High salaries for higher level operations managers (average of $117,200 in 2014)*
Large amount of influence over the direction a company might take**
Some executives are able to set their own schedules*
High prestige associated with executive positions*
CONS of an Operations Executive Career
Jobs in this field can present high levels of stress (e.g., working long hours, pressure to succeed,
poor financial performance)**
Most executives are preferred to have at least a graduate degree**
Very strong competition for executive jobs*
Lengthy job experience required for most executive positions*
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **O*NET OnLine