You’ve led teams. Scaled businesses. Made tough calls. You’ve been in the seat, carried the weight, and delivered results.

Now, whether you’ve exited, stepped down, or simply reached a transition point, you may be asking: what’s next?

What does life after the C-suite look like, and how do you find a career that feels as rewarding as the one you just left?

The good news? You’re not starting over. Instead, you’re starting ahead—with deep experience, strategic insight, and a network that opens doors.

Let’s explore the best careers for ex-CEOs or COOs, especially if you’re looking for autonomy, strong income, and meaningful work.

What Former CEOs and COOs Bring to the Table

If you’ve served as a CEO or COO, your toolkit is unmatched. You understand growth, people, execution, and risk. You know how to think high-level and operate in the details.

You bring:

  • Strategic clarity

  • Operational excellence

  • Leadership and EQ

  • Investor or board communication skills

  • A strong network and real-world perspective

Clearly, your next career move should leverage what you’ve built and give you the freedom to work on your own terms.

💡 Merge Tip: Many of the best post-C-suite careers don’t require building a company from scratch. Instead, they allow you to apply your expertise directly to high-value opportunities.

5 of the Best Career Paths for Former CEOs and COOs

1. Business Brokerage / M&A Advisory

Help founders sell their businesses and earn a success fee when deals close.

  • Why it works: You’ve likely led transactions or evaluated acquisitions. You understand value creation and can guide founders through exits with empathy.

  • Low overhead: No staff, office, or product required.

  • High earning potential: Success fees often range from $50K to $250K per deal.

  • Proven platform: The Merge license gives you the tools, systems, and support to start strong.

💡 Merge Tip: Former COOs thrive in this model because they know how to package a business, position it to buyers, and manage a process that closes.

2. Fractional Executive Roles

Step in as a part-time CEO, COO, or CRO for early-stage or scaling businesses.

  • Why it works: Many startups or founder-led companies need experienced leadership but not full-time.

  • Flexible income: You can work with multiple clients while setting your own availability.

  • Strategic influence: Focus only on the highest-leverage parts of the business.

⚠️ Consideration: However, you’re still reporting to someone else and may not have full autonomy.

3. Consulting or Coaching

Offer strategic advisory services based on your vertical expertise.

  • Why it works: You’ve solved high-stakes problems and others value that insight.

  • Scope it your way: Offer one-on-one sessions, team facilitation, strategic planning, or growth consulting.

  • Brand optional: Operate under your name or integrate into existing firms.

💡 Merge Tip: If you’re already advising founders, the Merge license lets you monetize exit moments and increase revenue beyond hourly fees.

4. Acquisition Entrepreneurship

Buy and operate an existing business using your operational skill set.

  • Why it works: You skip the early-stage chaos and focus on scaling.

  • Equity upside: You own the business and build toward another exit.

  • Flexible approach: Use SBA loans, investor capital, or seller financing.

⚠️ Consideration: This route requires upfront effort in diligence and financing. Even so, the upside can be significant.

5. Board Work or Investment Roles

Contribute your expertise as an advisor, investor, or independent board member.

  • Why it works: Your leadership experience is valuable to founders, funds, and family offices.

  • Low time commitment: Most advisory roles require only monthly or quarterly input.

  • Diverse exposure: You can support multiple companies across industries.

💡 Merge Tip: Experience with M&A makes you a stronger board candidate. The Merge license gives you real-world deal experience you can speak to confidently.

Why the Merge License Is Built for Ex-CEOs and COOs

The Merge license provides a complete platform to run your own M&A advisory business with full autonomy and proven infrastructure.

You bring leadership, strategy, and trust. Merge provides the tools, systems, and support to turn that into a business.

Here’s what’s included:

🛠️ Done-for-You Tools

  • CRM system, valuation model, buyer/seller workflows, and marketing templates

🎓 Training + SOPs

  • Onboarding, recorded training library, valuation and diligence guides

🔍 Buyer Ecosystem Access

  • 100K+ buyer CRM

  • Listings included in Merge’s outbound buyer campaigns

  • Optional buyer matching support

💬 Support + Community

  • Slack with other licensees

  • Monthly strategy calls

  • Optional 1:1 coaching

💰 Your Revenue, Your Rules

  • Keep 75%+ of success fees, retainers, and project income

  • Full control of your clients, branding, and pricing

Who It’s Right For

You might be a strong fit if you’re:

  • A former CEO or COO looking for freedom and ownership

  • A strategic operator with founder or investor relationships

  • A high-EQ leader who enjoys guiding founders through big moments

  • Someone who wants real income without full-time pressure

  • An exited executive ready to work for yourself with structure behind you

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking what’s next after the C-suite, you’re not alone. You’ve done the hard work. You’ve built, led, and delivered. Now it’s time to build something that works for you.

The best careers for ex-CEOs or COOs don’t require burnout or another 70-hour week. Instead, they offer a powerful combination of:

✅ Ownership
✅ Flexibility
✅ Strategic work
✅ High-value outcomes

With the Merge license, you can build an M&A advisory business that fits your strengths and supports the lifestyle you want next.

👉 Learn more about becoming a Merge licensee
👉 Book a call to explore the opportunity