managerial / conductive
Loading your saved state.
managerial
Holding a leading or responsible position, often in a company or organization.
Als leitende Angestellte hat sie Personalverantwortung für zwanzig Mitarbeiter.
As a managerial employee, she has personnel responsibility for twenty employees.
'Leitend' is the present participle of the verb 'leiten' (to lead/conduct). This origin explains both meanings: someone who 'leitet' (leads) a department is a 'leitender Angestellter' (managerial employee). A material that 'leitet' (conducts) electricity is a 'leitendes Material' (conductive material).
Er hat eine leitende Funktion im Unternehmen übernommen.
He has taken on a managerial role in the company.
The context makes the meaning clear. If people are talking about jobs, companies, and hierarchies, it refers to a leading position. If the topic is physics, technology, or materials, it refers to the ability to transport energy.
Als leitender Ingenieur ist er für das gesamte Projekt verantwortlich.
As the lead engineer, he is responsible for the entire project.
In the meaning 'führend' (leading), 'leitend' is almost always used before a noun. Typical combinations are 'leitender Angestellter' (managerial employee), 'leitende Position' (managerial position), or 'in leitender Funktion' (in a managerial role).
Nur leitende Mitarbeiter haben Zugang zu diesen Dokumenten.
Only managerial employees have access to these documents.
responsible
'verantwortlich' and 'leitend' can both describe an important position in an organization. 'verantwortlich' mainly says that someone is responsible for a task or area. This can also be true without holding a high position. 'leitend' means that someone works in a managerial position and leads other people or an area. Learners may confuse the words because people in managerial roles often carry responsibility. But 'verantwortlich' fits any clearly assigned responsibility, while 'leitend' only fits when a real leadership role is meant.
In der Firma arbeitet er in einer leitenden Position.
He works in a managerial position at the company.
Vor dem Turnier ist sie für die Anmeldung der Mannschaft verantwortlich.
Before the tournament, she is responsible for registering the team.