Category Archives: executive recruiting

Promote or Poach? The Strategic Calculus of Hiring an Internal vs. External COO

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When it’s time to appoint a new Chief Operating Officer (COO), the decision to promote from within or recruit externally is not just about filling a leadership gap—it’s a move that can redefine your company’s trajectory. At JRG Partners, we work closely with CEOs and boards navigating this critical…

The COO of Tomorrow: Preparing for AI, Automation, and the Future of Operations

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In an era of relentless technological innovation, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is no longer confined to traditional operations management. Today’s high-performing COOs are becoming architects of transformation—integrating AI, automation, and advanced data analytics to future-proof their…

The First 100 Days: A Framework for Successfully Onboarding Your New COO

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Hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a major milestone—but it’s just the beginning. Even the most qualified executive can struggle if the onboarding process is unstructured or rushed. In fact, many executive mis-hires don’t fail due to lack of capability—they fail due to unclear expectations…

Structuring Success: How to Design a Competitive COO Compensation Package

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Hiring a world-class Chief Operating Officer (COO) requires more than an attractive title and a compelling vision—it demands a strategic, competitive, and well-aligned compensation package. As the executive responsible for translating strategy into execution, the COO plays a vital role in driving…

The Million-Dollar Mistake: Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your COO Search

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Hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) is one of the most critical leadership decisions a company can make. The right COO can scale operations, drive organizational efficiency, and serve as a trusted partner to the CEO. But the wrong hire? It’s not just a setback—it’s a million-dollar mistake. From…

Why Your Next COO Won’t Be Found on a Job Board

A stylized image of a beautiful, flourishing garden or a "secret" pathway behind a closed, perhaps slightly rusted or old-fashioned, gate that represents a "job board." This emphasizes that the valuable talent is not accessible through common entry points.

Hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) is one of the most consequential decisions a leadership team can make. This is the person who will translate vision into execution, align teams, and drive performance across the organization. Naturally, you want the best candidate—an operational leader with…

The CEO-COO Partnership: How to Forge the Ultimate Alliance for Execution

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In high-performing companies, strategy and execution are two sides of the same coin—and no two roles embody this duality more than the CEO and COO. The CEO sets the vision, culture, and long-term direction. The COO, meanwhile, translates that vision into operational reality. When these two leaders…

Beyond the Résumé: The 7 Essential (and Often Overlooked) Traits of a World-Class COO

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When evaluating a Chief Operating Officer (COO), most executive teams start with the obvious: a strong resume, P&L ownership, operational metrics, and industry expertise. While these hard skills are essential, they are no longer sufficient to lead in today’s high-velocity, complex business landscape…

The 5 Archetypes of the Modern COO: Which One Does Your Business Need?

Five subtle, diverse silhouettes of business professionals, each with a faint visual cue or icon representing their archetype (e.g., a growth arrow for the Scaler, a wrench for the Transformer, a stable foundation for the Operator).

In today’s dynamic and fast-scaling business environment, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is no longer a one-size-fits-all role. From high-growth startups to legacy enterprises undergoing transformation, the COO must match not just the organizational structure, but also the current stage and…

Is Now the Right Time? 5 Definitive Signs Your Company Needs a COO

5 Definitive Signs Your Company Needs a COO

For many growing companies, the decision to hire a Chief Operating Officer (COO) isn’t simply about reaching a certain headcount or revenue milestone — it’s about recognizing the moment when complexity begins to outpace execution. A well-timed COO hire can be the difference between flatlining and scaling. But how do you know when it’s time? Below are five definitive signs that suggest your organization is ready for a strategic operations leader.