Recruiting the right Chief Operating Officer (COO) is increasingly critical for UK organisations seeking operational excellence and sustainable growth. The modern COO role encompasses end-to-end operational leadership, digital transformation, supply chain optimisation, regulatory compliance, and strategic execution. For CEOs, securing a COO with the right experience, cultural alignment, and strategic acumen can directly influence organisational performance.
The Market Context: Supply, Demand, and Compensation
The COO labour market is both competitive and highly specialised. According to recent reports throughout 2024‑2025, the UK minimum average salary for COOs is approximately £74,000, with the maximum average salary reaching £220,000 - £225,000. These maximum average salary figures reflect leaders with five or more years of senior operational experience. In London, COOs can expect average total remuneration packages that exceed £150,000, sometimes considerably more when performance bonuses, equity participation, or other incentives are included.
WALES AND BEYOND
Outside London, in regions such as Wales and the South West, salaries tend to be more moderate. Data suggests that in Wales, COO remuneration is typically below national medians unless the role carries multi-regional responsibility or involves complex, high-growth operations. For CEOs, this regional disparity underscores the need for precise role definition and competitive positioning to attract the right talent.
The number of executive operations vacancies has increased over the past 24 months, reflecting organisational expansion, digital transformation, and succession planning pressures. A recent report stated that average COO tenure in FTSE 100 firms has declined from 4.2 years in 2023 to 2.7 years in 2025, emphasising the importance of selecting a candidate capable of long-term operational delivery.
COO Profile: Skills, Experience, and Strategic Impact
COOs are no longer solely operational managers. Today’s leaders are expected to combine business acumen with technological fluency, strategic thinking, and change management capability. Key attributes for success include:
- Operational Agility and Digital Expertise:
Experience implementing ERP systems, automation, and digital transformation programmes. - Leadership Across Functions:
Ability to collaborate with finance, HR, IT, and commercial divisions, translating strategy into operational execution. - Crisis Management and Risk Mitigation:
Track record of maintaining continuity during operational disruption, supply chain volatility, or regulatory challenges. - Strategic Influence and Stakeholder Management:
Capacity to act as a bridge between the executive team, board, and operational teams.
CEOs must recognise that operational excellence stems not only from technical competency but also from the ability to drive cultural alignment and embed strategic initiatives throughout the organisation.
Hiring Strategy: How CEOs Should Approach COO Recruitment
Unlike junior or mid-level hires, COO appointments are inherently strategic. CEOs should adopt a structured and consultative approach:
- Define Scope and Success Metrics Clearly
Identify whether the COO’s remit covers domestic operations, international supply chains, digital transformation, or other high-priority initiatives. Set measurable early objectives. - Market Benchmarking and Compensation Strategy
Align compensation with role scope, regional norms, and sector-specific expectations. Clear, competitive packages prevent attrition during the recruitment process. - Cultural Assessment and Executive Alignment
Evaluate candidates’ ability to integrate with organisational culture, engage cross-functional stakeholders, and influence strategic decision-making. - Structured Onboarding
Implement a robust induction plan covering immediate operational priorities, stakeholder mapping, and early-win opportunities. Clarify reporting lines and authority to ensure accountability from day one.
Strategic Advantage Through Executive Search Partnership
Given the scarcity of high-calibre COOs and the competitive landscape, partnering with an executive search firm provides a strategic advantage. Firms such as City Executive Search offer:
- Curated access to top-tier, pre-vetted COO talent, including individuals not actively seeking new roles.
- Detailed market insight, sector-specific trends, and compensation benchmarking.
- End-to-end recruitment support, from candidate identification to interview coordination, mitigating the risk of mis-hires.
- Advisory services that extend beyond hiring to succession planning, leadership mapping, and organisational strategy alignment.
A Critical Investment in Operational Leadership
The COO role is a linchpin of organisational performance. In 2025‑2026, CEOs face both heightened demand for transformational leaders and reduced average tenure among top operational executives. Selecting the right COO requires strategic foresight, market intelligence, and a disciplined recruitment process.
City Executive Search provides discreet, expert guidance to CEOs seeking COOs who can drive operational excellence, support transformation agendas, and deliver measurable business outcomes. By combining deep market knowledge with personalised consultation, City Executive Search ensures that every appointment is a strategic investment in sustainable growth.
Contact the experts at City Executive Search and let us guide your search for a Chief Operating Officer who will strengthen operational resilience and support long-term success.
Our considered objective is to deliver global leaders to exceptional Welsh businesses. We do this every day, with conviction.