Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Alabama
Chief Operating Officer jobs in Alabama are concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services, with steady demand for senior operational leaders who can manage large, multi-site organizations. Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile anchor most of the hiring, where employers such as Protective Life, Huntsville Hospital Health System, and Austal USA regularly seek experienced chief operating officers to oversee complex operations. The most in-demand specialties are healthcare operations, defense and aerospace systems management, and manufacturing process leadership. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $69,200 - Midpoint: $89,900 (Salaried E11)
Department/Organization: 301103 - Alumni Affairs
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Alumni Operations Program Director provides leadership and general management of the accounting, budgeting, board relations, and procurement for the National Alumni Association.
Additional Department Summary: The Alumni Operations Program Director serves as the chief operating officer for the National Alumni Association of The University of Alabama. The Director is responsible for providing leadership and general management of the following functions – accounting, budgeting, board relations, and procurement. In supervising these functions, it is critical that the incumbent have both an intimate knowledge of day-to-day operational issues and a broad view of the operations across Alumni Affairs.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, management, or a business-related field and six (6) years of experience; OR master's degree in finance, accounting, management, or a business-related field and four (4) years of experience.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, management, information systems or business-related field and a minimum of three (3) years of experience is required.
Skills and Knowledge: Strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively both written and oral.
Evidence of substantial planning, management and supervisory experience; leadership abilities; experience working through and with volunteers.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $69,200 - Midpoint: $89,900 (Salaried E11)
Department/Organization: 301103 - Alumni Affairs
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Alumni Operations Program Director provides leadership and general management of the accounting, budgeting, board relations, and procurement for the National Alumni Association.
Additional Department Summary: The Alumni Operations Program Director serves as the chief operating officer for the National Alumni Association of The University of Alabama. The Director is responsible for providing leadership and general management of the following functions – accounting, budgeting, board relations, and procurement. In supervising these functions, it is critical that the incumbent have both an intimate knowledge of day-to-day operational issues and a broad view of the operations across Alumni Affairs.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, management, or a business-related field and six (6) years of experience; OR master's degree in finance, accounting, management, or a business-related field and four (4) years of experience.
Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, management, information systems or business-related field and a minimum of three (3) years of experience is required.
Skills and Knowledge: Strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively both written and oral.
Evidence of substantial planning, management and supervisory experience; leadership abilities; experience working through and with volunteers.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.See All 50 Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Alabama
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Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chief Operating Officer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief operating officer jobs across Alabama.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field required
- Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in a relevant Alabama industry sector
- Demonstrated experience managing P&L responsibility across large or multi-site operations
- Strong background in regulatory compliance within Alabama's healthcare or manufacturing environments
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional executive teams and drive organizational performance
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred by most Alabama employers
Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chief operating officer in Alabama?
The path to a chief operating officer role in Alabama typically starts with a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field, followed by progressive management experience in your target industry. Alabama does not require a state-issued license for the role itself, but executives in healthcare operations must be familiar with Alabama Department of Public Health regulations, and those overseeing financial operations should understand Alabama Securities Commission requirements. Most hiring organizations in Alabama expect candidates to have held a VP or director-level role before advancing to COO.
How much do chief operating officers make in Alabama?
Chief operating officers in Alabama earn a median of about $166,420 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $101,670 for the lowest 10% to over $317,400 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire chief operating officers in Alabama?
Companies currently hiring chief operating officers in Alabama include BayMark Health Services, Allied Universal, and Motion, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Alabama's concentration of healthcare systems, defense contractors, and regional financial institutions means demand is consistent across both publicly traded corporations and large private employers headquartered in the state.
Which Alabama cities have the most chief operating officer jobs?
Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery are the Alabama cities with the most chief operating officer openings. Birmingham leads because it is home to the state's largest hospital systems, regional banks, and corporate headquarters, while Huntsville's growth as a defense and aerospace hub has made it a rising market for operations executives, and Mobile's port-driven manufacturing and logistics sector generates consistent demand for senior operational leaders.
Are there remote chief operating officer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, but they're rare. Chief operating officers are typically expected to be present on-site to lead teams, manage facilities, and engage directly with operations, making full remote arrangements uncommon for the role. About 63% of chief operating officer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those arrangements are most common in technology-driven or corporate services functions where physical presence is less critical.
How can I get hired as a chief operating officer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is building a record in director or VP-level roles within Alabama's anchor industries before targeting COO positions. Large healthcare employers such as UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincent's often hire operations directors who move laterally into COO tracks, and defense contractors in the Huntsville corridor promote from program management and engineering leadership roles. Earning an MBA from the University of Alabama or Auburn University strengthens your candidacy, and involvement with the Alabama Hospital Association or Alabama Manufacturers Association builds the network that often leads to executive referrals.
Where can I find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current Alabama openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your industry background and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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