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Founder Chief Operating Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Solar Mason

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Scranton, PA · On-site +1

The COO will be a key member of our senior management team, reporting only to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You'll have to maintain control of diverse business operations, requiring efficiency ...

The People Brand

Chief Operating Officer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$225K - $250K/yr

... Chief Operating Officer to partner closely with the CEO in scaling the organization while ... Develop organizational structure and leadership capability while maintaining an agile, founder-led ...

pacsci

Chief Operating Officer

Pacific, WA · On-site

Chief Operating Officer Department: Office of the President Reports to: President and CEO Pay Class: Full-time Regular FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday About Pacific Science ...

Moore Clean

COO

Round Rock, TX · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Role Overview: We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team at Moore Clean LLC. As the COO, you will ...

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Founder Chief Operating Officer information

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$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do founder chief operating officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for founder chief operating officer in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a founder chief operating officer?

A Founder Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a startup or early-stage company. They work closely with the CEO and other founders to develop and implement business strategies, manage teams, and ensure organizational efficiency. The Founder COO often sets up operational processes, manages budgets, and helps scale the business as it grows. Their role is crucial in translating the company's vision into actionable plans and driving execution across various departments.

What are some common challenges a founder chief operating officer faces when scaling a startup team?

A Founder Chief Operating Officer often encounters challenges such as balancing rapid growth with maintaining a cohesive company culture, implementing scalable processes, and adapting organizational structures as the team expands. Navigating resource constraints while ensuring operational efficiency is also a frequent hurdle. Additionally, the COO must foster collaboration between departments, align strategic goals, and support the CEO in translating vision into actionable plans, all while responding quickly to market changes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a founder chief operating officer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Founder Chief Operating Officer, you need strong business acumen, operational management expertise, and experience in scaling startups, typically supported by a relevant degree or entrepreneurial background. Familiarity with business intelligence tools, financial management systems, and project management platforms is essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and resilience are crucial soft skills for driving company growth and navigating uncertainty. These skills and qualities are vital for effectively executing the company's vision, managing rapid change, and ensuring sustainable business operations.

What is the difference between Founder Chief Operating Officer vs Chief Operating Officer?

AspectFounder Chief Operating OfficerChief Operating Officer
CredentialsOften includes entrepreneurial experience, startup background, and sometimes technical or industry-specific certificationsTypically requires extensive management experience, business administration, and leadership certifications
Work EnvironmentStartup or early-stage company, high-growth environment, often involved in strategic decision-makingEstablished company, focused on operational efficiency, process management, and scaling
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in startups, tech companies, and entrepreneurial venturesWidely used across industries in mature organizations

The Founder Chief Operating Officer is usually a startup founder with a focus on building and scaling the business from the ground up, often wearing multiple hats. The Chief Operating Officer is a senior executive in established companies, concentrating on operational management and efficiency. While both roles require leadership skills, the Founder COO combines entrepreneurial drive with operational expertise, whereas the COO focuses more on organizational processes within a mature company.

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What job categories do people searching Founder Chief Operating Officer jobs look for?

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Founder Chief Operating Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founder Chief Operating Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Innovative Outsourcing

Kansas City, MO • On-site

$185K - $215K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description


Innovative Outsourcing is excited to partner with their client, a provider of IT and enterprise management, planning and cyber-security services for government agencies in the defense industry. Our client is looking to hire a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help scale their business and take it to the next level of success.

Position:  Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Salary:  $185,000 - $215,000 annually, based on qualifications, plus a performance-based annual bonus (target 30-50% of base) and long-term incentives such as stock appreciation rights (SARs) or profit sharing.
Location: On-site; Metro East region of St. Louis. Relocation assistance available.
Travel:% Travel

THE ROLE

Our client is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and scale the day-to-day operations of a growing professional services organization. As the CEO's primary operational partner, the COO will oversee the people, processes, and systems that drive operational excellence, organizational growth, and long-term success.

This executive will be responsible for developing and optimizing the company's operating infrastructure, including scalable processes, leadership accountability, performance metrics, forecasting, and documentation. The goal is to build a highly efficient organization that can continue to grow while reducing day-to-day reliance on the CEO and positioning the business for future strategic opportunities. This is an on-site executive leadership role based at the company's headquarters, working closely with the executive team and key operational leaders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Execution

  • Partner with the CEO to set and achieve company growth, profitability, and scaling targets.
  • Translate vision into actionable operational strategies, roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
  • Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and execution gaps across the business and resolve them quickly. 

Operations & Delivery

  • Lead day-to-day operations: service delivery, project and program execution, staffing, and internal workflows.
  • Establish and refine systems, processes, and KPIs that drive accountability and performance across every department.
  • Run operational decisions on data - dashboards and performance metrics, not anecdote.

Financial Ownership

  • Own company P&L, departmental budgets, and financial performance in partnership with Finance.
  • Improve forecasting, cash-flow management, and resource allocation.

People & Organization

  • Build and optimize the organizational structure; hire, develop, and retain top talent.
  • Build a unified leadership team aligned on company goals and reinforce a culture of accountability and ownership.

Government Contracting & Compliance

  • Ensure operational compliance with FAR/DFARS, DCAA-compliant accounting and timekeeping, and contractual requirements.
  • Maintain compliance posture across relevant frameworks (e.g., CMMC / NIST, ISO, CMMI, ITIL) and support audits.
  • Support capture, proposals, and contract execution across company vehicles - GSA MAS, GSA OASIS+, and GSA Polaris - and our joint-venture partnerships; manage prime and subcontractor relationships.

External & Enabling

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and vendors.
  • Act as a force multiplier - freeing the CEO to focus on strategy, growth, and external opportunities.

 QUALIFICATIONS

  Required-

  • 10+ years in operations leadership, ideally in technology services, MSP, consulting, or professional services.
  • Direct experience operating in the U.S. government contracting environment (FAR/DFARS, DCAA, contract vehicles).
  • Track record