The Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Department. The Deputy Secretary also serves as principal adviser to the Secretary on overall supervision and direction of resource allocation and management activities of the Department. The Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources assists in carrying out the Secretary's authority and responsibility for the overall direction, coordination and supervision of operational programs of the State Department, including foreign aid and civilian response programs.

In addition, the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources advises the Secretary on the Department's participation in the National Economic Council (NEC) and interagency economic policy matters. The Deputy Secretary also assists the Secretary in representing the United States at international meetings, in performing other representational assignments, and in presenting the Department's position before Congress.

The Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources also provides final recommendations to the Secretary on senior personnel appointments. The Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) reports directly to the Deputy Secretary on small business policies and activities.