director

The word “director” means a person in charge of a department, organization, or project. In plain terms, someone in charge — of a company department, a board, or a creative production like a film.

“Director” is pronounced dih-REHK-tuh (/dɪˈɹɛk.tɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “director” used in a sentence: “She was promoted to director of operations.”

“Director” is a noun.

The word “director” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from Middle French directeur, from Late Latin dīrēctōrem.

“Director” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Director” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person in charge of a department, organization, or project.

Both lead others, but a director usually sits higher, setting strategy and overall direction for a department or whole organisation. A manager handles day-to-day operations and supervises staff within that direction. Directors decide where things are going; managers make sure the daily work gets there. Directors typically oversee managers.

A CEO, or chief executive officer, is the single most senior leader running an entire company. A director leads a specific department, function, or project, or sits on the board that oversees the company. There are usually many directors but only one CEO, who ranks above departmental directors.

The title covers several roles. A managing director runs a company's operations; executive directors lead major functions like finance or marketing; non-executive directors sit on the board to advise and oversee; and project directors head specific initiatives. In each case, the director is the person in overall charge.