COO: Chief Operating Officer
Complete guide to operations leadership in UK businesses
Key Takeaways
- 1Fractional CFOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
- 2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, depending on experience and sector
- 3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
- 4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
- 5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods
What is a COO?
Quick Definition
A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the senior executive responsible for overseeing a company's day-to-day operations. The COO translates strategy into execution, ensuring operational efficiency across the business. In many organisations, the COO is the second-in-command after the CEO, managing internal operations while the CEO focuses on external matters and strategy.
Core COO Responsibilities
Day-to-day operations management
Cross-functional coordination
Process improvement and efficiency
Scaling operations for growth
Supply chain and vendor management
Facilities and infrastructure
HR and people operations oversight
Quality assurance and compliance
Operational KPIs and reporting
Crisis management and business continuity
Whether you're hiring a COO or pursuing operations leadership roles, we can help.
Cost Comparison
Fractional vs Full-Time Executive
Your Potential Savings
£180k+
Time Allocation
How fractional executives spend their time
UK Fractional Executive Day Rates
Compare day rates across C-suite roles
Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time
Choose the right engagement model
| Aspect | Fractional | Interim | Full-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | 1-3 days/week | 4-5 days/week | 5 days/week |
| Duration | Ongoing/flexible | 3-12 months | Permanent |
| Annual Cost | £50-150k | £150-300k | £200-400k+ |
| Best For | SMEs, startups, scale-ups | Crisis, transitions | Large enterprises |
| Flexibility | ★★★ High | ★★☆ Medium | ★☆☆ Low |
Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.
Calculate Your Day Rate
Calculate Your Potential Income
Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.
BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.
Related Executive Roles
Complementary leadership for your organisation
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
No—many successful companies operate without a COO. The role makes sense when: operations are complex enough to require dedicated leadership, the CEO needs to focus externally (fundraising, sales, strategy), or the business is scaling rapidly. Smaller companies often combine COO duties with other roles.
Industry Resources & Authority Links
Related Pages
The Fractional Executive Trend
Industry data on the rise of fractional leadership
of executives who moved to fractional work report higher job satisfaction
Source: Harvard Business Review ↗Platform Stats
Founder's background
📊 COO Market Snapshot
💰 COO Day Rates
Based on 2026 market data for UK COO roles.
