chief operating officer

USAGE SUMMARY

"chief operating officer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person in a company who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business. For example, "The chief operating officer of ABC Corporation is responsible for ensuring the company runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He became chief operating officer in 2007.

The New York Times

Facebook's chief operating officer?

The Guardian - Tech

Azurix's president and chief operating officer.

The New York Times

Peter Parson, Bungie's chief operating officer, concurs.

The Guardian - Tech

The chief operating officer post is new.

The New York Times

CART--Named David Clare chief operating officer.

The New York Times - Sports

Chief operating officer, University of Northampton.

The Guardian

Chief operating officer Kristian Tear is up.

The Guardian

Its chief operating officer is Tim Kirkman.

The Guardian

Mr. Krzanich, Intel's chief operating officer, oversees its fabrication facilities.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet Harish Manwani, Unilever's chief operating officer, is undeterred.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief operating officer" as a title preceding a name, capitalize it (e.g., Chief Operating Officer John Smith). When using it generically, lowercase it (e.g., He is the chief operating officer of the company).

Common error

Avoid capitalizing "chief operating officer" when it's used as a description rather than a title. For instance, use "He is the chief operating officer" instead of "He is the Chief Operating Officer" unless it's part of a formal title.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief operating officer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically a title or job designation. It identifies an individual holding a senior management position responsible for a company's operational activities. Ludwig confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

19%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief operating officer" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is generally professional and appears frequently in news, business and formal contexts. Remember to capitalize the title when it precedes a name (e.g., Chief Operating Officer John Smith) and use lowercase when referring to the role in general (e.g., He is the chief operating officer). Alternatives include "head of operations" or "executive vice president of operations". Abbreviating to "COO" is acceptable after the full title has been introduced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coo

This is a shortened, more informal abbreviation of "chief operating officer".

executive vice president of operations

Focuses on the operational responsibilities, using a different title structure.

head of operations

A more general term for someone leading operations.

vice president of operations

Similar role, but may imply a different level of seniority or scope.

director of operations

Often denotes a less senior operational management role.

chief executive officer

This is a broader role encompassing all aspects of the company, whereas the "chief operating officer" focuses primarily on operations.

president

Another high-level executive role that may overlap with operational responsibilities depending on the organization's structure.

general manager

Typically responsible for the day-to-day operations of a specific business unit or location.

operations manager

A more hands-on management role focused on the execution of operational plans.

senior vice president

Denotes seniority and leadership within a company, which may include operational oversight.

FAQs

What does a "chief operating officer" do?

A "chief operating officer" is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of a business. They ensure the company's operational strategies are implemented effectively.

Is it okay to abbreviate "chief operating officer" as COO?

Yes, "COO" is a widely accepted abbreviation for "chief operating officer". It's commonly used in business contexts, especially after the full title has been introduced.

What are some alternative titles to "chief operating officer"?

Depending on the company structure and specific responsibilities, alternatives to "chief operating officer" might include "head of operations", "executive vice president of operations", or "vice president of operations".

When should I capitalize "chief operating officer"?

Capitalize "Chief Operating Officer" when it is used as a formal title directly preceding a person's name, such as "Chief Operating Officer Jane Doe". Otherwise, use lowercase when referring to the role in general.