As a business leader or CEO, the question of who to bring into your team to support operations is both critical and nuanced. The right operational hire can elevate your business, while the wrong one can hold you back. But how do you determine whether you need someone focused on tactics or strategy?

The answer starts with taking a closer look at your own role and the specific needs of your business. Here’s how to assess your requirements and make the right choice.

Step One: Evaluate Your Role as the Business Leader

Your own role as a business leader is the foundation for identifying the right hire. Whether you’re managing a small start-up or leading a growing enterprise, the responsibilities you hold dictate the kind of support you need.

If you’re spending too much time on admin, logistics, and other operational tasks, it’s likely time to delegate. But the type of person you need depends on the scale of your business, the complexity of its operations, and the stage of its growth.

Option 1: The Executive Assistant – Your Tactical Time Manager

For smaller businesses or solopreneurs, the immediate need may not be a senior operations leader but rather someone to help manage your time, life, and priorities.

An Executive Assistant (EA) is a perfect tactical hire to help you focus on high-value activities while they take care of:

Scheduling and time management
Administrative tasks
Organisation and prioritisation of your workload

An EA doesn’t set strategy but instead ensures your day-to-day responsibilities are handled efficiently, freeing you to focus on leading the business. They’re ideal for those who need personal and professional support to stay productive and organised.

Option 2: The Operations Manager – The Tactical Doer

If your business is growing and you find yourself overwhelmed with operational tasks, you may need an Operations Manager. This is someone who can take ownership of the “doing” and ensure that tactical initiatives are executed efficiently.

An Operations Manager:

Focuses on the details of “how” things get done.
Works under your direction, allowing you to remain responsible for the strategic vision.
Ensures daily operations run smoothly.

This is a hands-on role, ideal for businesses where the CEO still holds the strategic reins and needs someone they can trust to get things done on the ground.

Option 3: The General Manager – The Tactical-Strategic Hybrid

As your business grows in turnover and headcount, the need for a more versatile role may emerge. A General Manager (GM) often straddles the line between tactical and strategic thinking, depending on their experience and capabilities.

A GM:

Oversees both the execution of daily operations and some aspects of strategic planning.
Provides leadership across departments, ensuring alignment with the company’s goals.
May take on more strategy as the business grows, depending on their expertise.

This role is well-suited to businesses in the mid-range of growth—those that are too large for the CEO to manage all aspects of strategy and operations but not yet large enough to warrant a dedicated COO.

Option 4: The COO or Operations Director – Your Strategic Counterpart

For larger businesses with higher turnover and a more complex organisational structure, a Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Operations Director becomes essential. This is a purely strategic role, and the person in this position is often seen as the CEO’s right-hand.

A COO or Operations Director:

Translates the company’s vision into operational reality.
Takes full ownership of strategy, ensuring every department aligns with the business’s objectives.
Provides a counterbalance to the CEO, bringing complementary skills to the leadership team.

In this capacity, your 2iC becomes the yin to your yang. If you’re a visionary leader, they’ll likely be more detail-oriented and execution-focused, ensuring your big ideas are turned into measurable outcomes. The synergy between you and your COO is what drives the business forward.

So, Tactical or Strategic?

Either a tactical or strategic manager could serve as your second-in-command, depending on the size and complexity of your business. What’s important is understanding the value each role brings and how it aligns with your needs as a leader.

For smaller businesses, tactical hires like an EA or Operations Manager might provide the immediate support needed to stabilise operations. For larger organisations, strategic hires like a GM or COO ensure long-term growth and scalability.

Why Profiling is Key to Success

Whatever role you decide to fill, it’s crucial to ensure the person you hire is the perfect fit—not just for the job, but for you and your team. That’s where we come in.

At 2iC Search, we use a proven model called Contribution Compass to profile you, your team, and potential candidates. This tool provides deep insights into:

The type of manager who will complement your leadership style.

How they’ll fit with your team dynamics.
The value they’ll bring to your business.

By understanding these factors, we can help you avoid costly hiring mistakes and ensure your new hire contributes to the business’s success from day one.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

The question of whether you need a tactical or strategic manager ultimately comes down to the needs of your business and your role as a leader. By evaluating your own responsibilities and the stage of your business, you can identify the support that will drive your company forward.

At 2iC Search, we’re here to guide you through this process. Whether you need a doer, a hybrid leader, or a strategic powerhouse, we’ll help you find the perfect fit—someone who adds value, not conflict, to your business.

​Ready to find your ideal 2iC? Let’s talk. Together, we’ll turn your vision into reality.