Businesses looking to scale, align, and grow often turn to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®) for structure. EOS® is designed to simplify and strengthen a company’s operations, giving leaders a clear path forward to execute their vision. Part of successfully running EOS® means filling all the relevant roles, including the Integrator and the Implementer.

While these roles can be confused, they are far from interchangeable. Both are essential for executing strategy and leading teams, yet each has a specific function within the EOS® framework. Understanding the skill sets and level of involvement that each role brings to an organization is the first step to driving success with EOS®.

In this blog, we’ll break down the distinct responsibilities of both the Integrator and the Implementer, clarify how they work together, and help you determine which role your business needs most (spoiler: it’s both).

What Is an EOS® Integrator?

An Integrator is the day-to-day operational leader within the EOS® framework. The person in this role is responsible for aligning departments, managing operations, and ensuring the company’s strategy is executed effectively. If your Visionary (typically the CEO or founder) is the one steering the company toward its big-picture goals, the Integrator is the engine ensuring the ship sails smoothly. As such, the Integrator role is pretty synonymous with a COO.

The Integrator is often seen as the “glue” that holds the leadership team together, turning ideas into action and keeping every department aligned with the company’s vision. They are the key communicator between the Visionary and the rest of the leadership team.

Key Responsibilities of an Integrator:

Managing Day-to-Day Operations: The Integrator oversees the execution of strategies and keeps teams focused on their goals.
Aligning Departments: They ensure that different departments are working toward the same objectives, maintaining cohesion across the organization.
Problem Solving: When roadblocks arise, the Integrator is there to troubleshoot, making decisions that keep the business on track.
Holding Teams Accountable: Accountability is key in EOS®, and the Integrator ensures that every team member meets their commitments and drives results.
Decision-Making: The Integrator makes tough calls based on the company’s long-term vision, maintaining stability and focus amid daily challenges.

What Is an EOS® Implementer?

An Implementer serves as the external guide who introduces the EOS® framework to your leadership team. An Implementer’s expertise lies in teaching companies the fundamentals of EOS®, coaching leadership teams on how to make the most of its tools, and ensuring the system is fully integrated into the business’s operations.

While your team will work with your Integrator on the day-to-day issues, the Implementer will meet with your leadership team on a routine, albeit less frequent, basis. Often, you will only connect with your Implementer a few times each year.

Key Responsibilities of an Implementer:

Leading the Initial Vision Building Days: The Implementer guides your leadership team in the Focus and Vision Building Days that start an organization’s EOS® journey.
Introduce the EOS® Toolbox: Implementers work with leadership teams to walk them through the six key components of EOS, helping them understand and apply each tool.
Providing Ongoing Support: Implementers provide continuous guidance to ensure EOS® becomes a seamless part of the company’s DNA, ensuring long-term adoption and success.

An Implementer doesn’t run your business; they train your leadership team to adopt a process that will.

Key Differences Between an Integrator and an Implementer

While both roles are essential, their focus, time commitment, and impact differ significantly.

Role Focus: The Integrator focuses on internal operations while the Implementer focuses on external facilitation.
Time Commitment: The Integrator is typically a permanent internal role. They are part of your leadership team for the long haul, ensuring that your business continues to operate smoothly as it grows. In contrast, the Implementer works with multiple clients simultaneously. Once EOS® is implemented, their involvement is reserved for quarterly reviews and annual planning sessions.
Impact: The Integrator works to drive long-term operational success by keeping teams aligned, accountable, and focused on executing the company’s vision. The Implementer takes the broader perspective to ensure EOS® becomes a permanent, sustainable part of how the company operates.

When Do You Need an Integrator vs. Implementer?

If you’re already running EOS®, you likely already have someone in the Implementer and Integrator seats. But if you choose to assign these roles internally, you may want to consider bringing in external support to help your team function at its fullest capacity. Often, self-implementing teams and those with internally assigned Integrators struggle to fully achieve their potential. Here are some common challenges that may indicate you need outside support.

You Need an Integrator When:

Your business is growing, but there’s a lack of alignment between departments.
Operations are becoming too complex for one leader to manage.
You need a leader to execute the company’s long-term strategy.
Your leadership team is good at vision but needs help with execution.

You Need an Implementer When:

You’re just starting with EOS® and need guidance to implement the framework correctly.
Your leadership team is struggling to adopt EOS® tools and processes on their own.
Your team is not aligned.
You want to drive faster, more effective implementation of EOS®.
You’re experiencing frustration with self-implementation and need outside expertise.

Connecting with EOS® Professionals Through GCE

At GCE, we understand the importance of both the Integrator and Implementer roles. While GCE doesn’t offer EOS® Implementer services, we are well-connected with a network of reputable EOS® Implementers who can guide your leadership team through the process.

For your day-to-day needs, our Fractional Integrators can offer your team the experience and insight of a full-time professional without breaking the bank.

GCE Strategic Consulting tailors our EOS® guidance specifically to your organizational needs. It starts with a consultation so we can discuss where there are gaps in your leadership and challenges that we can address together. Set up a call with the GCE team to find the EOS® support you need.

Integrator vs. Implementer: Key Roles in EOS® Explained