Most Important Skills for a Director of Operations at Organic Certifiers
For a Director of Operations, strong "soft skills" such as "communication skills, project management, adaptability and flexibility, and leadership" are paramount, exceeding the importance of technical skills like Microsoft Suite proficiency and familiarity with industry-specific software. The ability to "lead teams and empower employees to be decision makers," while navigating a dynamic environment and mastering new technologies, is key to success in this role.
Communication, Project Management, Leadership, Adaptability, Software Proficiency
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nicole Davis
Director of Operations
Organic Certifiers
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
N/A
Communications
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Strong communication skills are essential for managing client relationships, leading team meetings, and ensuring clear communication across departments.
2. Project management skills, including planning, organizing, and overseeing projects, are crucial, combining leadership, time management, and organizational abilities.
3. Adaptability and flexibility are key to learning new skills and technologies, implementing new software, and adjusting to dynamic environments. Leadership involves setting the tone, leading by example, and creating an inclusive environment for employees. Hard skills, such as Microsoft Suite proficiency and the ability to learn custom software, are also important.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
For a Director of Operations, soft skills are mostly what we look for. This includes communication, project management, adaptability, flexibility, and leadership.
For communication, you want to demonstrate managing client relationships, leading team meetings, and ensuring clear communication across all departments. Project management involves planning, organizing, and overseeing projects from start to finish.
This requires a blend of leadership, time management, and organizational skills. Adaptability and flexibility are also key. This means learning new skills and technologies, implementing new software, and adjusting to new processes to maintain a dynamic environment.
Lastly, leadership is crucial. As a leader, you set the company's tone and lead by example. You create an inclusive environment by leading teams and empowering employees to make decisions.
For hard skills, there's a baseline expectation of proficiency in Microsoft Suite. You should also be able to learn custom software relevant to the job. For example, we use cloud-based file storage software, an online form builder, and a custom web system that functions like a CRM.
It's important to become familiar with various software and tools available today. Ultimately, it's a combination of soft and hard skills. However, in a Director of Operations role, soft skills tend to carry you the furthest.