der Vorstandschef, -s
CEO
Definition & meaning
A Vorstandschef is the head of a company’s executive board—the person who leads its top management. It is often translated as CEO or head of the executive board.
The word usually refers to the leader of a company organized under the German corporate system. It does not always mean exactly the same thing as “chairman”: the more precise term for the chair of an executive board is Vorstandsvorsitzender .
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: masculine — der Vorstandschef
- Plural: die Vorstandschefs
- Parts: Vorstand (“executive board”) + Chef (“boss” or “chief”)
- It is a compound noun, and its final element, Chef, determines its gender.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Vorstandsvorsitzender — “chairman of the executive board.” This is often the more formal and precise equivalent, especially when emphasizing the person’s role as chair.
- Geschäftsführer — “managing director.” This is a related leadership title, but it usually refers to the head of a limited-liability company or another organization, not specifically to the head of a corporate executive board.
There is no direct antonym. A company’s Mitarbeiter (“employee”) or Untergebener (“subordinate”) may be lower in the organizational hierarchy, but neither is a direct opposite of Vorstandschef.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Der Vorstandschef leitet das Meeting.noun
The CEO is running the meeting.
Die Vorstandschefin stellt heute die neuen Pläne vor.noun
The CEO is presenting the new plans today.
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