How to Hire a COO
To hire a COO, first decide what the role is for: scaling operations, running the day to day so the CEO can focus outward, fixing a broken operation, or preparing a successor. Then look for an operator who has done that job at your stage and size, test them on real operating problems, and make sure the CEO and COO can work together. That last part decides most COO hires.
What does a COO actually do?
It depends on the company, which is why COO searches go wrong. In one business the COO runs operations, supply chain and field teams. In another they run everything except sales and finance. In a third they are the CEO's successor in training. Write down what the COO will own on day one and what they will be measured on in year one.
What should you look for in a COO?
- A match for your stage. Someone who scaled a 500-person company may struggle in a 50-person one, and the reverse.
- Real P&L and people leadership. Budgets, headcount, multi-site operations and results they can put numbers on.
- Systems thinking. The ability to build processes that work without them in the room.
- Fit with the CEO. The COO complements the CEO. Two visionaries or two operators who compete for the same job rarely works.
How do you test a COO candidate?
Walk them through a real operating problem from your business: a margin issue, a delivery problem, a team that isn't performing. Ask what they would look at first, what questions they would ask and what they would change in the first 90 days. Good operators ask more questions than they answer.
Where do you find COO candidates?
Most strong COOs are employed and not looking. Look at COOs, presidents, general managers and VPs of operations at companies one stage ahead of yours. A direct search reaches them. A job posting mostly won't.
How does Riderflex help companies hire a COO?
Riderflex is a boutique executive search firm based in Denver and serving employers nationwide. Finalists are vetted through video interviews conducted by current C-level executives with 30+ years of operating experience, the kind of operators who know what a good COO sounds like. We study your culture and your CEO's style and match candidates to both, with a progress update every week.
Frequently asked questions
When should a company hire a COO?
When the CEO is spending most of their time on day-to-day operations instead of strategy, customers and capital, or when the company is scaling faster than its processes.
What is the difference between a COO and a president?
Titles vary by company. A COO usually runs internal operations and reports to the CEO. A president often has broader authority, sometimes including sales and the full P&L. Define the scope before you pick the title.
What makes a COO hire fail?
A poor fit between the CEO and COO, a role that was never clearly defined, or an operator whose experience doesn't match the company's stage.
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Talk to Riderflex
Call (888) 964-5876, email info@riderflex.com, or start a conversation on our contact page. Riderflex is a boutique recruiting firm based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2013, serving employers nationwide.