Director of Operations Cover Letter Example

A director of operations is responsible for ensuring a company's day-to-day activities go smoothly while also designing parameters to assess efficiency. It's a high-level role that involves a significant amount of time evaluating daily activities and procedures, as well as overseeing upper-level management. 

So when you're applying for a role as director of operations, you'll need to show how you managed in such a position in the past. Or, if this is a step up from your current role, you'll need to show that you're now ready to advance and assume those responsibilities for the first time.

Here's what to keep in mind as you write your cover letter for this role. 

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is a space for you to build a case for why you're the best candidate for the role. To that end, you'll want to highlight and expand upon your relevant skills and experience. 

Look at the job advertisement before writing your cover letter. That will give you a good sense of what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Tailor your letter to reflect the qualifications, skills, and experience that the employer values. 

In general, employers will expect candidates for a role as director of operations to be proficient at: 

• Implementing initiatives for strategic planning
• Demonstrating analytical thinking and the ability to make critical decisions and solve real-world business issues
• Utilizing active discussion to build consensus among people with differing points of view
• Implementing risk-management techniques to promote organizational stability 

These are the skills you'll want to show off in your cover letter. 

Cover Letter Writing Tips 

Keep these tips in mind as you're writing your letter: 

• If someone referred you to the role, be sure to include that in your opening paragraph. Being referred gives your application an edge! 
• Follow the appropriate format of a cover letter. In general, you'll want to start by explaining why you're writing. Then, use the middle paragraphs to explain why you're a good fit, and the final paragraph to say thank you and share follow-up details. 
• Proofread very carefully. Having errors in your cover letter makes you appear sloppy. Try reading your letter out loud, printing out a hard copy to review, or sharing the letter with trusted friends and family to catch your errors. 
• For cover letters by email, use a professional email address. List your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message. For example, you might put: Abena Morrison - Director of Operations. 
• Show how you'll help the employer. Yes, a cover letter is about you, but the real goal is to convince a potential employer that hiring you will improve operations at the company. To that end, frame the letter in terms of how you'll help or improve things. 
  

Cover Letter Template

While your resume will provide employers with information about your background, your cover letter is an opportunity to show them how you have applied the skills necessary for the position in question. While every situation is different, this sample cover letter provides a broad example of how to show an employer that you are a good candidate for their open position.

This is a cover letter example for a director of operations position. Download the director of operations cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

Cover Letter Sample