The path to the corner office often runs straight through operations.
Consider recent examples: Dow Inc., Best Buy, and Asbury Automotive Group have all elevated chief operating officers to the top job in 2026. That preference is becoming even more pronounced. As companies seek to unify sprawling processes and sharpen execution (especially in the age of AI), operational expertise has emerged as a prized currency in the boardroom.
While the appeal of a COO successor is clear, the road to what’s often considered the heir-apparent seat is anything but standardized. A tech company’s operating chief may oversee product delivery and digital infrastructure. A manufacturer’s COO may spend their days optimizing plants, logistics networks, and procurement operations.
Yet data from executive search firms— including Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, and True Search—point to four recurring proving grounds:
The enterprise operator. Divisional presidents and general managers already operate miniature enterprises, overseeing budgets, talent, and performance. Scaling that experience across an entire corporation is often a natural next step.
The supply chain strategist. Such leadership roles remain a powerful launchpad, especially in industrial, retail, and consumer businesses, because they possess a detailed understanding of the operational backbone that keeps companies moving.
The margin-minded operator. As companies place a premium on efficiency and growth, finance leaders are increasingly seen as operators who can connect capital allocation with execution.
The digital systems builder. In software, fintech, and digital-first companies, the modern factory floor is code. CIOs, CTOs, and engineering leaders are becoming natural candidates as cloud infrastructure, data management, cybersecurity, and AI become central drivers of enterprise performance.
The evolution of the COO role will be front and center at the Fortune COO Summit this week. Executives, including Nike COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, MGM Resorts COO Ayesha Molino, and Chipotle COO Jason Kidd, will share how they are reshaping operations for an era defined by speed, technology, scale, and rising customer expectations. You can follow along with the conference here.
Ruth Umoh [email protected]
The post The hottest job below CEO comes with 4 distinct career tracks appeared first on Fortune.
