Head of Operations Job Description

Crafting a well-defined Head of Operations job description isn’t just a routine task — it’s a strategic move. This role bridges daily operations with long-term business goals, making it crucial to hire someone with the right vision and execution skills. Whether you’re scaling up or stabilizing systems, a strong job description ensures you attract operations leaders who can deliver real results.

This blog post will guide you through why detailed job descriptions matter, what components make them successful, and a downloadable template to get you started.

Why Head of Operations Descriptions Make or Break Your Hiring

Did you know that 75% of candidates reject roles due to vague job descriptions? That statistic alone should encourage any recruiter or hiring manager to take their job listings more seriously.

A strong Head of Operations job description isn’t just about listing tasks. It’s a branding tool that:

  • Strengthens your employer brand by clearly reflecting your company values and expectations.

  • Improves candidate quality by filtering in professionals with relevant leadership and operational expertise.

  • Reduces time-to-hire by aligning candidate expectations with your organization’s goals from the outset.

Vague or outdated job descriptions can lead to compliance issues, poor hiring decisions, and mismatched expectations. Luckily, we’ve created a free downloadable JD template to help you skip those pitfalls and hire smarter.

Head of Operations Job Description Template

Job Title: Head of Operations

Department: Operations

Reports To: CEO or Managing Director

Summary:

[Your Company Name] is looking for a proactive and strategic Head of Operations to manage our day-to-day operations, streamline processes, and ensure business efficiency. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, deep analytical thinking, and a proven track record of operational success.

Responsibilities:

Here are the major responsibilities tied to this critical role:

  • Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company’s long-term goals

  • Lead and mentor department heads across finance, HR, procurement, and logistics

  • Oversee employee management systems to improve workforce productivity (Learn more)

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards

  • Collaborate with the recruitment team to support workforce planning (Explore our ATS)

  • Manage and optimize payroll operations (Payroll Software)

  • Supervise expense management procedures (Expense Software)

  • Improve attendance tracking systems (Check out Attendance Solutions)

Requirements:

Ideal candidates should meet the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field
  • 7+ years of experience in operations or a similar executive role
  • Proven experience managing cross-functional teams and large-scale projects
  • Strong understanding of process improvement and business automation
  • Excellent organizational and leadership abilities
  • Experience with HRMS and ERP systems preferred
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Frequently Asked Questions

A Head of Operations is a senior executive responsible for managing the internal operations of a business. They align team activities with organizational goals and ensure smooth execution across departments.

Their role involves leading multiple departments, improving internal processes, managing compliance, and ensuring operational efficiency. This includes managing systems like Payroll Software and Attendance Software.

These include strategic planning, team management, workflow optimization, compliance oversight, and supporting functions like Expense Management and recruitment using ATS software.

Not exactly. While the roles can overlap, a COO typically oversees overall company strategy and performance, while a Head of Operations focuses more on day-to-day activities and internal process optimization.

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