CEO
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CEO / board chair
The person who holds the chairmanship of a company's executive board, especially in a stock corporation, and leads it. This position is often identical to that of the chair of the executive board or CEO (Chief Executive Officer).
Der Vorstandschef des Automobilkonzerns kündigte auf der Pressekonferenz eine neue Strategie an.
The CEO of the automotive group announced a new strategy at the press conference.
The word is made up of 'Vorstand' (the management board of a company) and 'Chef' (head, boss). So the 'Vorstandschef' (CEO/board chair) is literally the 'boss of the executive board'.
Der Vorstandschef leitet die wöchentliche Sitzung.
The CEO leads the weekly meeting.
The component 'Chef' in German always means 'Leiter' (head/manager) or 'Vorgesetzter' (supervisor). It is part of many job titles, such as 'Chefarzt' (head physician) or 'Chefredakteur' (editor-in-chief).
Mein Chef hat mir neue Aufgaben gegeben.
My boss gave me new tasks.
This position is often connected with the preposition 'von' (of/from) and the company name. Appointment to the role is also often discussed: 'zum Vorstandschef ernannt werden' (to be appointed CEO/board chair).
Er ist der neue Vorstandschef von einem großen Technologiekonzern.
He is the new CEO of a large technology group.
The term 'Vorstandschef' (CEO/board chair) is used mainly in business and financial language. You often read or hear it in the news and in business reports.
Die Wirtschaftspresse zitiert den Vorstandschef des Unternehmens.
The business press quotes the company's CEO.
board
'der Vorstand' and 'der Vorstandschef' can easily be confused because both belong to the top level of a company. 'Der Vorstand' means either the whole governing body or a person who is a member of that body. 'Der Vorstandschef' is more specific: he is the person who leads the Vorstand. When several people make decisions together, you are more likely to say 'der Vorstand'. When it is about the leading person at the head of this body, 'der Vorstandschef' is correct.
Der Vorstandschef erklärt den Mitarbeitenden, warum die Firma sparen muss.
The CEO explains to the employees why the company has to cut costs.
Der Vorstand hat nach langer Beratung dem neuen Projekt zugestimmt.
After long discussion, the board approved the new project.