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Chief Operating Officer (COO)

A Chief Operating Officer oversees daily operations, drives strategic planning, ensures compliance, and fosters effective communication within an organisation.

How do I become a chief operating officer (coo)

Get qualified to work as a chief operating officer (coo) with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Chief Operating Officer generally earns $4,500 per week ($234,000 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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The number of people working in this field is likely to grow strongly in coming years. There are currently 50,800 people employed in this industry in Australia and many of them specialise as a Chief Operating Officer. Chief Operating Officers may find work across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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If a career as a Chief Operating Officer interests you, consider enrolling in a Master of Business Administration. This course covers topics including leadership, advanced marketing, operational improvement, financial management, business research, economics, business decision making and corporate strategy.

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Further reading

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Chief Operating Officer (COO) careers

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) performs a senior executive role at a large business or organisation. You’ll manage daily operations and also make key decisions about future plans. Chief Operating Officers ensure an organisation is running effectively and develop policies to ensure it reaches strategic goals and meets compliance issues.

Chief Operating Officers require strong leadership skills and good forward planning abilities. You’ll need to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to liaise with clients and colleagues at all levels of your organisation. Chief Operating Officers should have good time management skills and be able to manage multiple tasks at one time.