What does a Director Of International Operations do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A director of international operations is a management professional who is responsible for supervising the international business operations of an organization. This director must boost brand recognition and drive business development by expanding synergistic distribution opportunities in key markets while maintaining store base profitability. The director must assist business units in developing international growth strategies and market entry approach. This director must also manage the international development and operations team to manage brand properties and provide online production services to international business partners.

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Director of international operations responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real director of international operations resumes:

  • Lead team of specialize forwarders responsible for the secure transportation of articles of extraordinary value.
  • Develop ROI category analyses and lead negotiations with top retailers: Walmart, Ripley, Falabella.
  • Founded the Asia-Pacific division and lead the global professional services practices to become the company's largest and most profitable unit.
  • Manage logistics when sending equipment to foreign destinations.
  • Work closely with corporate treasury in managing cash repatriation strategies.
  • Manage delivery of home medical equipment to customer's homes while adhering to all Medicare and accreditation policy and procedures.
  • Organize operations logistics for entering new countries.
  • Conduct treasury management of foreign multi-currency bank accounts.
  • Handle civil litigation representing plaintiffs in product liability cases.
  • Ensure superior operational oversight and support for all international store formats.
  • Require to advise operational and business support departments on all issues relate to taxation.
  • Provide oversight for business and operational strategy, client and proposal development, and program execution.
  • Complete over 100 energy conservation projects in a sub contractor capacity for a license HVAC contractor and local utility company.
  • Launch DIA's presence into social media, doubling Facebook fans and likes annually.
  • Perform ongoing power analysis/management and thermal imaging to ensure reliability of power generation/distribution and HVAC systems.

Director of international operations skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Directors Of International Operations are proficient in Oversight, Project Management, and International Tax. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Management skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Directors Of International Operations that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Oversight, 13%

    Organized and provided continuing oversight of the Company's foreign operations including foreign governmental reporting and consolidation of foreign operations.

  • Project Management, 11%

    Directed process optimization, cost containment, systems architecture, project management and design activities for infrastructure and applications.

  • International Tax, 11%

    Prepare international tax compliance and provision analysis, transfer pricing studies and documentation.

  • Litigation, 8%

    Handled civil litigation representing plaintiffs in product liability cases.

  • Transfer Pricing, 5%

    Establish global transfer pricing policy and defense strategy to minimize ETR and ensure audit-proof documentation in all jurisdictions.

  • Tax Planning, 4%

    Minimized company risk using tax planning, currency hedging and political and economic risk evaluation.

"oversight," "project management," and "international tax" are among the most common skills that directors of international operations use at work. You can find even more director of international operations responsibilities below, including:

Leadership skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a director of international operations to have is leadership skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Directors of international operations often use leadership skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided leadership and guidance to global operations teams. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of directors of international operations is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday director of international operations duties, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed foodservice business solutions in international markets. "

Time-management skills. A big part of what directors of international operations do relies on "time-management skills." You can see how essential it is to director of international operations responsibilities because "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical director of international operations tasks: "collaborate extensively with external cpa, providing in-depth assistance with periodic tax deadlines. "

Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in director of international operations job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what directors of international operations do. Director of international operations responsibilities rely on this skill because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." You can also see how director of international operations duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "employed cross-cultural communication skills in supporting joint ventures between firms from diverse countries and industry sectors. "

Most common director of international operations skills

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Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume
Director Of International Operations Resume

Compare different directors of international operations

Director of international operations vs. District director

A district director is an executive professional who is responsible for managing staff members of an organization in a particular district. This director is required to conduct store visits to ensure that store employees are following store procedures and maintain inventory levels. The manager must manage all the general ledger revenue and expense activity while maintaining oversight for all operations, policies, and procedures. This manager should also plan and develop workshops, comprehensive training, and professional development for all staff members.

The annual salary of district directors is $1,879 lower than the average salary of directors of international operations.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between directors of international operations and district directors are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like oversight, business development, and direct reports.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, director of international operations responsibilities require skills like "project management," "international tax," "litigation," and "appeals." Meanwhile a typical district director has skills in areas such as "professional development," "performance management," "medicare," and "medicaid." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that district directors earn slightly differ from directors of international operations. In particular, district directors are 8.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a director of international operations. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Director of international operations vs. Managing director

A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.

A career as a managing director brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a director of international operations. In fact, managing directors salary is $27,116 higher than the salary of directors of international operations per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Directors of international operations and managing directors both require similar skills like "oversight," "project management," and "appeals" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real director of international operations resumes. While director of international operations responsibilities can utilize skills like "international tax," "litigation," "tax planning," and "gaap," managing directors use skills like "healthcare," "portfolio," "customer service," and "financial services."

On average, managing directors earn a higher salary than directors of international operations. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managing directors earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $177,065. Whereas directors of international operations have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $105,799.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managing directors tend to reach similar levels of education than directors of international operations. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Director of international operations vs. Store director

A store director is in charge of overseeing overall business operations, ensuring everything is running smoothly. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around setting goals and objectives, devising strategies to increase sales and brand awareness, liaising with key suppliers and vendors, managing the employees and all hiring processes, supervising the inventory, and monitoring the progress of sales. Furthermore, as a store director, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, store directors earn lower salaries than directors of international operations, with a $45,978 difference per year.directors of international operations and store directors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "direct reports," "financial statements," and "human resources," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a director of international operations is likely to be skilled in "oversight," "project management," "international tax," and "litigation," while a typical store director is skilled in "payroll," "store sales," "food safety," and "customer service."

Store directors earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $48,921. Directors of international operations earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $105,799.Most store directors achieve a lower degree level compared to directors of international operations. For example, they're 16.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Director of international operations vs. Area director

Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.

Area directors tend to earn a lower pay than directors of international operations by an average of $2,141 per year.According to resumes from directors of international operations and area directors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "oversight," "business development," and "direct reports. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between directors of international operations and area directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a director of international operations might have more use for skills like "project management," "international tax," "litigation," and "appeals." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of area directors require skills like "customer service," "patients," "home health," and "financial performance. "

In general, area directors earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $110,804. The highest-paying industry for a director of international operations is the finance industry.In general, area directors hold lower degree levels compared to directors of international operations. Area directors are 6.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of director of international operations

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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