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Operations director

MEDIUM DemandVERY LOW AI RiskSTABLE in SL

The pinnacle of operational leadership. Built for those who have devoted a career to making organisations work and now want to do it at the highest level with full authority and accountability.”

A Day in the Life

You lead all operational functions of the business — overseeing production, logistics, supply chain, facilities, and quality at the executive level. You set operational strategy, manage large budgets, drive efficiency programmes, and ensure the organisation delivers on its commitments.

  • Chair cross-functional operations leadership meetings and review KPIs
  • Set and manage the operational budget across all business units
  • Lead major process improvement, automation, or transformation initiatives
  • Oversee capacity planning and capital investment decisions for operations
  • Review and approve major vendor contracts and strategic partnerships
  • Present operational performance to the CEO and Board
  • Lead the operations leadership team — hiring, performance, and succession planning
  • Ensure compliance with health, safety, quality, and environmental regulations
  • Drive crisis management and business continuity planning
  • Collaborate with CEO, CFO, and CHRO on company-wide strategy execution

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: LARGEFORMALRemote: LOW

C-suite or senior executive environment. Splits time between the corporate HQ and operational sites (factories, warehouses, ports). In Sri Lanka, Operations Directors at large corporates (JKH, MAS, Hemas, Aitken Spence) are among the most senior professionals in the country with significant authority.

Typical hours: 55h/week · WLB score 4/10 · COMMON overtime

Executive-level role with high time demands, travel across sites, and after-hours board responsibilities. Compensation is commensurate. Family and personal life requires deliberate management at this level.

Skills Required

Required

Operations ManagementStrategic Planning

Preferred

Change ManagementLeadership

Technical Skills

Strategic operations management and enterprise-level planningP&L ownership and large budget managementSupply chain, logistics, and manufacturing oversightOperational Excellence frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, TQM)Mergers & acquisitions integration from an operations perspectiveERP and enterprise technology governanceRisk management and business continuity planningCorporate governance and board-level reporting

Soft Skills

Executive leadership and inspiring large organisationsStrategic thinking and long-range planningBoard-level communication and stakeholder influenceChange management and cultural transformationHigh-stakes negotiation and deal-makingCrisis leadership and composure under extreme pressureTalent development and succession planning

Tools & Software

ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud)Business intelligence platforms (Power BI, Tableau, SAP Analytics)Board reporting tools (PowerPoint, Excel)Project portfolio management toolsSupply chain management platforms

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.200k – Rs.350k/mo
Mid-LevelRs.350k – Rs.650k/mo
SeniorRs.600k – Rs.1500k/mo
Entry: Operations ManagerMid: Senior Operations Manager / Head of OperationsSenior: Operations Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Typical progression: 10yr to mid · 18yr to senior

Operations Director is typically reached after 15–20 years of progressive operational leadership — moving through coordinator, manager, senior manager, and head of operations before reaching the director level. In smaller companies the title may come sooner. The natural next step is COO or CEO.

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$100k – $150k/yr
Mid-Level$150k – $250k/yr
Senior$230k – $500k/yr

Top Markets

USAUnited KingdomUAESingaporeAustralia

Market Outlook

STABLE

Demand for Operations Directors in Sri Lanka is limited by the small number of large organisations that require this level of operations leadership. However, the talent pool is equally limited — experienced candidates with the right profile are scarce, making it a sellers' market at this level.

Hiring: LOW

John Keells HoldingsMAS HoldingsHemas HoldingsAitken Spence GroupDialog AxiataExpolanka HoldingsCommercial Bank of CeylonLOLC HoldingsBrandixNestle Lanka

STABLE

COO and Operations Director roles are always in demand at large organisations globally. Increasing complexity of supply chains, ESG requirements, and digital transformation are making strong operational leaders more valuable than ever.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBachelor's in Engineering or Business; MBA strongly preferred
Experience15–20 years in progressive operations roles

Preferred

MBA from a recognised institution (local or international)Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent Lean credentialsP&L management track record at senior management levelBoard governance training (IOD Sri Lanka or equivalent)International operations experience (advantage)

Global

Min. EducationBachelor's in Engineering or Business; MBA or advanced degree expected
Experience15–20+ years with demonstrated executive leadership

Preferred

MBA from a top business schoolCOO experience or Board-level reporting experienceInternational supply chain or operations leadershipSix Sigma / Lean Master-level certification

Helpful Certifications

Bachelor's in Engineering, Business, or Operations (minimum)MBA from a reputable institution (strongly preferred)Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black BeltCIPS Fellow membershipPMP or Programme Management ProfessionalDirector-level governance training (IOD Sri Lanka)

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: MEDIUMRemote: LOWCapital: NONE

Freelance earnings: $100–$300/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

LinkedIn (advisory)IOD Sri Lanka (board positions)

Business Ideas

  • Executive management consulting practice
  • Operations transformation consulting for large organisations
  • Private equity operational advisory and board consulting
  • Interim COO / Operations Director services

Side Income Ideas

Board directorship at listed companies (NED positions)Adjunct lecturing at business schools (MBA programmes)Advisory board roles at PE-backed companies

Experienced Operations Directors often move into board advisory and consulting roles after a corporate career, commanding high consulting day rates.

Risks & Challenges

AI Replacement Risk

VERY LOW

UNLIKELY

Burnout Risk

HIGH

Job Security (SL)

HIGH

Strategic leadership, executive judgment, and organisational navigation are uniquely human capabilities. Automation tools assist the director's team but cannot replace the leadership function itself.

Burnout Causes

Extremely high workload and constant decision pressureWeight of accountability for hundreds or thousands of jobsPolitical complexity of executive and board relationshipsAlways-on expectations at the C-suite levelChallenging balance between site visits, HQ, and board obligations

Physical Health Risks

Chronic stress and associated cardiovascular riskSleep disruption from constant demands

Mental Health Risks

Executive isolation — limited peers who understand the pressuresSustained high-stakes decision-making burnoutImposter syndrome even at the most senior level

How to Mitigate

  • Prioritise health and wellbeing deliberately — executive burnout is a real risk
  • Build a strong board network and join the Institute of Directors (IOD Sri Lanka)
  • Develop international experience early in your career to expand global opportunities
  • Build a succession plan and develop your team — your legacy is what they achieve

Is This Career For You?

The most ambitious, strategic, and resilient professionals who have demonstrated leadership at every career stage and aspire to the very top of the operations function.

Personality Types

Visionary LeaderStrategic ExecutiveDriverSystems Thinker

Core Motivations

Building world-class operational organisationsDelivering on the promises a company makes to customers, investors, and employeesLeaving a lasting legacy of excellence and efficiencyExercising full executive authority over a large and complex function

What You'll Love

  • Maximum operational authority and impact
  • Premium compensation — among the top earners in Sri Lanka
  • Shaping company strategy at the highest level
  • Building and developing high-performing leadership teams
  • Recognition as a senior industry leader

What's Challenging

  • Relentless pressure and expectation of availability
  • Accountability for outcomes that depend on thousands of people
  • Complex stakeholder management at board and shareholder level
  • Very long path to reach — 15–20 years minimum

How to Qualify in Sri Lanka

View all paths →

University Degrees (20)

Browse all →
Masters in Business Administration - MBAAcademy of International Business - AIB
⏱ 1.0
Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Executive ManagementAcademy of International Business - AIB
⏱ 1.0
Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Family Office and Wealth Inheritance ManagementAcademy of International Business - AIB
⏱ 1.0
MBA (General)APIIT
Master of Business AdministrationAustralian College of Business and Technology - ACBT
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Bristol Institute of Business Management
⏱ 1.0
Master of Business AdministrationBritish College of Applied Studies - BCAS
⏱ 1.0
Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) in Strategic Management & LeadershipBritish College of Applied Studies - BCAS
⏱ 0.7
Executive MSc in Strategic Management (Masters)Cambridge College of Business & Management - CCBM
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Cambridge College of Business & Management - CCBM
UK Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (Postgraduate Diploma)CCHE - Chester College of Higher Education
⏱ 1.0
Master of Business AdministrationColombo International Nautical and Engineering College
⏱ 1.5Rs.750k/yr
Postgraduate Diploma in Project ManagementGlobal Technological Campus - GTC
Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management & LeadershipGlobal Technological Campus - GTC
⏱ 0.7
Master of Business AdministrationHorizon Campus
⏱ 2.0Rs.400k/yr
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Imperial College of Business Studies - ICBS
⏱ 1.5
MBA (Top-Up) with Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management & LeadershipKensley Graduate School
⏱ 1.0
Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management - OTHM Level 7Kensley Graduate School
⏱ 0.5
Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership - OTHM Level 7Kensley Graduate School
⏱ 0.5
Master of Business Administration in Management StrategyKIU — KAATSU International University
⏱ 2.0

At a Glance

SL Salary (entry)Rs.200k – Rs.350k/mo
SL Salary (senior)Rs.600k – Rs.1500k/mo
Global (senior)$230k – $500k/yr
SL DemandSTABLE
WLB Score4/10
Hours/week~55h
Remote WorkLOW

AI Replacement Risk

VERY LOW

UNLIKELY

Sectors

Private

Reviews & Ratings

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Frequently Asked Questions

You lead all operational functions of the business — overseeing production, logistics, supply chain, facilities, and quality at the executive level. You set operational strategy, manage large budgets, drive efficiency programmes, and ensure the organisation delivers on its commitments.

To become a Operations director in Sri Lanka, you typically need Bachelor's in Engineering or Business; MBA strongly preferred. Relevant degree programmes include: Masters in Business Administration - MBA, Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Executive Management, Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Family Office and Wealth Inheritance Management. Explore step-by-step career roadmaps contributed by Sri Lankan Operations directors at paths.lk/career-paths/operations-director.

In Sri Lanka, a Operations director earns LKR 200k–LKR 350k/month at entry level, LKR 350k–LKR 650k/month at mid-level, and LKR 600k–LKR 1500k/month at senior level. Globally, experienced Operations directors earn USD 500k+/year.

Key skills for a Operations director in Sri Lanka: Operations Management, Strategic Planning. Important soft skills: Executive leadership and inspiring large organisations, Strategic thinking and long-range planning, Board-level communication and stakeholder influence. Tools and software: ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud), Business intelligence platforms (Power BI, Tableau, SAP Analytics), Board reporting tools (PowerPoint, Excel), Project portfolio management tools.

Operations Director is typically reached after 15–20 years of progressive operational leadership — moving through coordinator, manager, senior manager, and head of operations before reaching the director level. In smaller companies the title may come sooner. The natural next step is COO or CEO.

Demand for Operations Directors in Sri Lanka is limited by the small number of large organisations that require this level of operations leadership. However, the talent pool is equally limited — experienced candidates with the right profile are scarce, making it a sellers' market at this level.

The pinnacle of operational leadership. Built for those who have devoted a career to making organisations work and now want to do it at the highest level with full authority and accountability.

Yes — Operations directors have medium freelance potential. Operations directors can earn USD 100–300/month freelancing. Common platforms: LinkedIn (advisory), IOD Sri Lanka (board positions).

C-suite or senior executive environment. Splits time between the corporate HQ and operational sites (factories, warehouses, ports). In Sri Lanka, Operations Directors at large corporates (JKH, MAS, Hemas, Aitken Spence) are among the most senior professionals in the country with significant authority.