Who is in charge of operations within an association?
In smaller associations, the CEO – Managing Director, Executive Director, Secretary General – tends to handle Operations alongside everything else. As associations grow, the role splits off under titles ranging from Office Manager to Head of Operations, COO or Deputy CEO, and the scope varies just as widely, from administration to finance, external projects or digital transition.
Organized by ESAE, this session brings together three association leaders – Birgit Krausse (Operations Director, European Heat Pump Association), Rodica Popa (Operations Manager, European Blood Alliance) and Eric Bienefeld (Head of Operations & Governance, European Cancer Organisation) – to explain what the role looks like day to day, how it has evolved, and the main challenges they face.