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Chief operating officer

Also called managing director, acting general manager, chief operations officer

Chief operating officers are the right hand and second in command of a company's chief executive officer. They ensure that the daily operations of the company run smoothly. Chief operating officers also develop company policies, rules and goals.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects37 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,100 (Latvia) to €11,700 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree7 in 10 have a degree.Chief executives, senior officials and legislatorsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Managing directors and chief executives · ILO

What you'd do

Managing directors and chief executives · ILO
  • Planning, directing and coordinating the general functioning of an enterprise or organization
  • Reviewing the operations and results of the enterprise, or organization and reporting to boards of directors and governing bodies
  • Determining objectives, strategies, policies and programmes for the enterprise or organization
  • Providing overall leadership and management to the enterprise or organization
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Authorising material, human and financial resources to implement organizational policies and programmes
  • Monitoring and evaluating performance of the organization or enterprise against established objectives and policies
  • Consulting with senior subordinate staff and reviewing recommendations and reports
  • Representing the organization at official occasions and board meetings, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums
  • Selecting or approving the selection of senior staff
  • Ensuring the organization complies with relevant legislation and regulations
Conclude business agreementsLead managers of company departmentsEnsure lawful business operationsCollaborate in company's daily operationsShape organisational teams based on competencies+ 11 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "General and Operations Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as chief executives, senior officials and legislators in the EU
1.63m1.79m1.87m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
93,000 new jobs 567,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Chief executives, senior officials and legislators37
All jobs29
Right now
0 of 27 countries report a shortage of managing directors and chief executives, 6 a surplus.
Managing directors and chief executives · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,100 a month (Latvia) to €11,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of chief executives, senior officials and legislators (EU, 2025)
Degree 71%Vocational 19%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 4%
Field that teaches it
Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.38 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Determining objectives, strategies, policies and programmes for the enterprise or organization0.47
Monitoring and evaluating performance of the organization or enterprise against established objectives and policies0.47
Reviewing the operations and results of the enterprise, or organization and reporting to boards of directors and governing bodies0.41
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.41
Authorising material, human and financial resources to implement organizational policies and programmes0.37
Planning, directing and coordinating the general functioning of an enterprise or organization0.36
Ensuring the organization complies with relevant legislation and regulations0.34
Representing the organization at official occasions and board meetings, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums0.34
Consulting with senior subordinate staff and reviewing recommendations and reports0.34
Selecting or approving the selection of senior staff0.32
Providing overall leadership and management to the enterprise or organization0.32

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for managing directors and chief executives. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).