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Dubai 5 October 2026
Training Programme

Chief Operating Officer (COO): Leading Operations, Strategy and Teams

1Summary

Behind every CEO who claims credit for flawless execution, there is usually a COO making sure the operational machine actually runs. The Chief Operating Officer role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, translating high-level goals into daily operations, budgets, teams and metrics that either deliver results or quietly fail to.

This Chief Operating Officer (COO) program from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy builds the full skill set the role demands: operational strategy and leadership, financial fluency for reading budgets and performance data, managing change and risk, building and retaining high-performing teams, and the metrics that keep operations honest. Participants leave equipped to step into the COO seat or sharpen how they already operate in it.

2Objectives and target group

What You Will Gain

  • A clear picture of the COO's responsibilities and place within the leadership team.
  • The ability to develop and execute operational strategies that drive business results.
  • Practical grounding in managing large-scale operations, from process improvement to organizational alignment.
  • Skills to analyze performance metrics and respond to operational challenges.
  • Stronger leadership, communication and decision-making capability.
  • A method for building a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Who Should Attend?

  • Senior managers and executives preparing for or moving into a COO role.
  • Operations management professionals looking to sharpen their leadership and strategic skills.
  • Entrepreneurs and business owners who need to understand large-scale operations management.
  • HR professionals involved in developing talent for top leadership roles.
  • Anyone who wants a deeper grasp of the COO's strategic and operational responsibilities.

3Course Content

Module 1: The Strategic Weight of the COO Role

  • What makes the COO the CEO's right hand, and how the role differs from other executive positions.
  • The COO's weight in organizational decision-making.
  • Aligning day-to-day operations with the company's long-term strategic goals, working alongside the CEO and other leaders.
  • Measuring the success of operational strategy and adjusting course when needed.

Module 2: Building Operational Strategy and Leading Through Communication

  • Aligning operations with organizational goals and setting achievable operational targets.
  • The core elements of a successful operational strategy.
  • Leadership styles suited to the COO role and the part communication plays in operational efficiency.
  • Leading cross-functional teams toward shared operational objectives.

Module 3: Excellence, Change and Risk in Daily Operations

  • Principles of operational excellence and tools for continuous improvement.
  • The COO's role in driving change while balancing innovation with operational stability.
  • Leading teams through organizational change.
  • Identifying, assessing and mitigating operational risk, including the COO's role in crisis situations.

Module 4: Financial Fluency: Budgets, Performance Analysis and Cost Control

  • Managing operational budgets and the key elements of operational financial planning.
  • Reading financial statements and KPIs to make informed operational decisions.
  • Building financial forecasts that guide operational strategy.
  • Identifying cost-saving opportunities and streamlining processes without sacrificing quality.

Module 5: Building, Engaging and Retaining Operational Teams

  • Building and leading high-performance operational teams built on collaboration and accountability.
  • Workforce planning and best practices for recruiting operational talent.
  • Strategies for keeping employees motivated, engaged and retained.
  • The link between employee engagement and operational success.

Module 6: Measuring What Matters: Performance Metrics and Process Improvement

  • Setting up performance management systems for operational teams.
  • Key metrics for measuring operational success and using performance data to drive improvement.
  • Encouraging innovation within operations teams.
  • Tools and technologies that enhance operational performance.

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Chief Operating Officer (COO): Leading Operations, Strategy and Teams