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.
managing director
Both words refer to a leading person in a company. Geschäftsführer is used for the person who runs the company or organization, while Vorstandschef specifically refers to the chair and leader of the executive board. When the context concerns the executive board, Vorstandschef is the more precise term.
Der Vorstandschef leitet den Vorstand und vertritt dessen gemeinsame Entscheidungen.
The chair of the executive board leads the board and represents its joint decisions.
Der Geschäftsführer leitet das Unternehmen und ist für die laufenden Geschäfte verantwortlich.
The managing director runs the company and is responsible for its day-to-day operations.
