Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Colorado
Chief Operating Officer jobs in Colorado are concentrated in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder, where headquarters for companies like DaVita, Arrow Electronics, and Lockheed Martin Space drive consistent demand for senior operations leadership. The role draws heavily from healthcare operations, aerospace and defense, and technology, with strong activity in energy and financial services as Colorado's economy continues to diversify. Openings range from divisional COO positions at growing mid-market firms to enterprise-level roles at Fortune 500 headquarters anchored along the Front Range. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Job Title:
Director of Franchise Operations
Reports to:
Vice President of Franchising
Department:
Franchise
Location:
Denver, CO
Classification:
Full-time, Exempt
Role Overview
The Director of Franchise Operations serves as the primary operational leader and strategic partner for the company's franchise network. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, brand consistency, franchisee profitability, and long-term business growth through coaching, consulting, and accountability.
The Director builds trusted relationships with franchise owners while helping them achieve operational and financial success, elevate the customer experience, and strengthen leadership within their organizations. Success in this role requires balancing business acumen with influence—serving as both a coach and trusted advisor while holding franchisees accountable to brand standards and business objectives.
This leader partners closely with Operations, Marketing, Training, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Finance, and Executive Leadership to strengthen the franchise system and support long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
Franchise Partnership & Business Growth
Serve as an operational consultant and trusted advisor to assigned franchisees.
Conduct regular business reviews to drive sales, profitability, customer experience, and operational performance.
Develop action plans that improve key performance indicators, operational efficiencies, and long-term business growth.
Partner with franchisees to develop annual business plans and achieve strategic goals.
Operational Excellence & Brand Standards
Ensure consistent execution of company operating standards, brand expectations, and franchise agreement compliance.
Conduct operational assessments and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Drive consistency across the franchise network while recognizing individual market opportunities and challenges.
Financial & Performance Management
Analyze financial and operational performance using key metrics and reporting.
Coach franchisees on labor management, expense control, profitability, and overall business performance.
Develop performance improvement plans for underperforming locations and hold franchisees accountable for agreed-upon actions.
Leadership Development & Franchise Support
Coach franchise owners and leadership teams to strengthen leadership capability and organizational effectiveness.
Promote best practices in recruiting, onboarding, retention, succession planning, and employee engagement.
Support new franchise openings, operational readiness, and successful integration into company systems and processes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Leadership
Partner with Marketing, Training, HR, Talent Acquisition, and other support teams to deliver operational solutions and enhance franchise performance.
Serve as the voice of the franchise network by providing field insights, identifying trends, and recommending process improvements.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the franchise system.
Qualifications
Experience & Expertise
Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
7+ years of progressive multi-unit operations leadership experience, including franchise operations or managing multiple business locations.
Experience supporting franchise organizations and multi-unit business operations, with experience in automotive, retail, restaurant, hospitality, or other service-based industries preferred.
Strong financial acumen with the ability to interpret P&Ls, labor reports, operational metrics, and use data to drive business performance.
Proven experience coaching business owners and operational leaders to improve performance and achieve business objectives.
Demonstrated ability to influence and build strong partnerships without direct authority.
Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
Experience leading business growth initiatives, operational improvement efforts, or continuous improvement programs is a plus.
Travel Requirements
Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% to support franchise operations, conduct field visits, and attend meetings and company events.
Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to remain stationary while working on a computer and communicating via phone, video conferencing, and email, as well as the ability to move throughout franchise locations during site visits, with or without reasonable accommodations.
This position requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, move, or transport materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodations.
What Success Looks Like
Builds trusted advisor relationships with franchisees that foster accountability, engagement, and long-term business success.
Improves franchise performance through increased sales, profitability, operational consistency, customer satisfaction, and brand execution.
Develops high-performing franchise leadership teams through coaching, talent development, and succession planning.
Uses data, key performance metrics, and business insights to identify opportunities, proactively address risks, and drive informed decisions.
Partners effectively across departments to remove barriers, improve operational processes, and enhance franchise support.
Creates a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and shared accountability throughout the franchise network.
Develops struggling franchisees into stronger business leaders while recognizing and sharing best practices across the franchise network.
Represents the company's values and brand with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to strengthening the franchise system.
Leadership Profile
Demonstrates strong business acumen by understanding the financial and operational drivers of performance and making sound, data-driven decisions.
Thinks strategically by anticipating challenges, identifying opportunities, and developing solutions that support long-term business growth.
Builds trusted relationships and effectively influences franchisees and stakeholders through collaboration, credibility, and partnership.
Champions operational excellence by fostering consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the franchise network.
Develops leaders through coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback while fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
Applies strong financial acumen to interpret key metrics, improve profitability, and guide operational decision-making.
Communicates clearly, professionally, and effectively with franchisees, field leaders, executive leadership, and cross-functional partners.
Delivers results by taking ownership, executing with urgency, and consistently driving measurable business outcomes.
Compensation is $120k-$140k + bonus based on qualifications, experience, and performance.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The anticipated application deadline is August 21, 2026; however, the Company reserves the right to close the posting earlier or extend the deadline based on business needs.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and essential functions of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to assign or modify duties and responsibilities as business needs require.
FullSpeed Automotive is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and fairness. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See All 69 Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Colorado
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Find Chief Operating Officer JobsChief Operating Officer Jobs by City in Colorado
Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chief Operating Officer Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief operating officer jobs across Colorado.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field required
- Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations or general management
- Demonstrated experience building and scaling cross-functional teams across multiple business units
- Proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems and operational performance metrics
- Experience collaborating with boards of directors, investors, or executive leadership teams
- Strong background in budgeting, financial reporting, and P&L accountability at an organizational level
Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chief operating officer in Colorado?
The chief operating officer role carries no state-issued license or Colorado-specific credential requirement. The typical path runs through a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a technical field, followed by an MBA or equivalent graduate credential pursued at institutions like the University of Denver Daniels College of Business or the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. Most Colorado COOs accumulate a decade or more of progressively senior operational leadership before reaching the executive suite.
How much do chief operating officers make in Colorado?
Chief operating officers in Colorado earn a median of about $213,370 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $88,400 for the lowest 10% to over $402,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire chief operating officers in Colorado?
Employers hiring chief operating officers in Colorado right now include UCHealth, Sage Hospitality, and Caesars Entertainment, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Colorado's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, fast-growing technology firms, and large healthcare systems along the Front Range creates steady COO demand across several distinct industries.
Which Colorado cities have the most chief operating officer jobs?
Denver, Colorado Springs, and Golden account for the largest share of chief operating officer openings in Colorado. Denver dominates because it anchors the state's corporate headquarters density, while Colorado Springs draws activity from defense contractors and healthcare systems, and Boulder's technology and life sciences cluster generates demand from high-growth companies scaling their operations leadership.
Are there remote chief operating officer jobs in Colorado?
Yes, but they're rare. About 41% of chief operating officer openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the reality that COO work is inherently tied to in-person leadership of facilities, teams, and operations. Strategy and board-level coordination tasks are most likely to carry flexible location arrangements, while roles with direct responsibility for physical operations or manufacturing typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a chief operating officer in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building a record as a director or vice president of operations at a Colorado company before targeting the COO title. Large Front Range employers like Children's Hospital Colorado, Centura Health, and aerospace firms in the Denver-Boulder corridor regularly hire operations directors and general managers who develop into executive candidates internally. Earning an MBA from a Colorado institution strengthens competitiveness, and certifications in project management or lean operations signal readiness for enterprise-level accountability.
Where can I find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your industry background and seniority level, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience.
See All 69 Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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