Google exec hired as Facebook's chief operating officer

Facebook announced Tuesday that it has wooed a top executive away from Google to be the hot online social networking website's chief operating officer.


Sheryl Sandberg is leaving her post as vice president of global online sales and operations at Google to manage marketing, human resources, business development and other day-to-day operations at Facebook.

"I have learned so much during my time at Google, and I've loved working with the people there," Sandberg said in a statement. "I am thrilled to have this opportunity."

The hire comes as Facebook strives to increase its global popularity by making its website available in an array of languages.

Facebook unveiled a German version of its website on Tuesday and promises to have it available in French by spring.

"We're really excited to bring German-speaking users the ability to access Facebook in their native language," said Facebook vice president of product management Matt Cohler.

"We currently have over a million active users in German-speaking countries."

Facebook unveiled a Spanish version of its website in February.

Software applications made freely available let people opt for Spanish or German instructions, alerts, news feeds and other information provided by Facebook as part of the user interface.

Facebook users can critique each other's translations, resulting in a communal effort to improve the software and build an accurate dictionary of terms.

Facebook users have always been able to post profiles, messages or other content in their native languages, but the framework for the website was only in English prior to February.

"Sheryl is a great manager who will help scale Facebook's operations globally," said Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

"Sheryl understands Facebook's goal of connecting everyone in the world and is passionate about building a business that will enable us to realize this mission."

Sandberg worked as a US treasury secretary's chief of staff prior to taking a job with Google six years ago. She will start her job at Facebook's headquarters in Palo Alto, California, on March 24, the company said.