Sheryl Sandberg stands down as Meta’s COO after joining Facebook 14 years ago

The woman credited with turning Facebook into one of the most valuable tech companies in the world has announced her departure in a lengthy post.

Meta chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg has announced she will be departing the company after 14 years working alongside CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Previously known as Facebook, Inc., the social media giant owns multiple platforms including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Ms Sandberg, 52, who has a net worth of $US1.6 billion ($A2.2 billion), announced the news in a lengthy Facebook post where she said she’d remain a member of Meta’s board of directors.

“When I took this job in 2008, I hoped I would be in this role for five years. Fourteen years later, it is time for me to write the next chapter of my life,” she wrote.

“I am not entirely sure what the future will bring – I have learned no one ever is.”

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Ms Sandberg spoke fondly of her time at Facebook. Picture: Getty/AFP

Ms Sandberg joined the company over a decade ago, when the social media platform was still in its infancy.

Throughout her tenure, Ms Sandberg has been praised for helping the company achieve its initial public offering in 2012. During her time at the company, she has also written two books including the bestseller Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead as well as Option B, which she co-authored with Adam Grant.

Announcing her departure, Ms Sandberg gave immense praise to Mr Zuckerberg, 38, calling him of her “best friends”.

“Sitting by Mark’s side for these 14 years has been the honour and privilege of a lifetime,” she wrote.

“Mark is a true visionary and a caring leader. He sometimes says that we grew up together, and we have.”

Ms Sandberg has been Facebook’s COO since joining the company in 2008. Picture: AFP/Getty

Speaking to the New York Post, tech analyst Dan Ives said Ms Sandberg “couldn’t have left at a worse time,” while the company is attempting to launch a suite of virtual reality metaverse products.

“She’s leaving right as Facebook transitions to the metaverse – even though revenues aren’t coming for another three to five years,” he said.

He also noted that Ms Sandberg was seen as someone who ensured Mr Zuckerberg didn’t act on impulse during times of crisis.

Since her announcement, Meta shares fell more than 3 per cent before recovering slightly to close down 2.6 per cent.

Observers have said that the timing of Ms Sandberg’s departure could be troubling for the company. Picture: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP

Mr Zuckerberg also praised Ms Sandberg, dubbing her departure as “the end of an era”.

“It’s unusual for a business partnership like ours to last so long. I think ours did because Sheryl is such an amazing person, leader, partner and friend,” he wrote.

“I’m sad that the day is coming when I won’t get to work as closely with Sheryl. But more than anything, I’m grateful for everything she has done to build Meta.

“She has done so much for me, for our community, and for the world – and we’re all better off for it.”

Ms Sandberg, who will finish at the company in the coming months, will be succeeded by Meta’s chief growth officer Javier Olivan.