Inklingo

How to Say "manager" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “manager” is “jefe” — use 'jefe' for a general term for a boss or person in charge of people or a team, especially in a workplace setting..

jefe🔊A2

Use 'jefe' for a general term for a boss or person in charge of people or a team, especially in a workplace setting.

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gerente🔊B1

Use 'gerente' for someone who manages a business, department, or specific area like sales, with a focus on general oversight and strategy.

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administrador🔊A2

Use 'administrador' for someone who manages a building, property, or administrative system, focusing on the operational and financial aspects.

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supervisor🔊B1

Use 'supervisor' for someone who directly oversees the work of others, often providing guidance and checking on progress.

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encargado🔊A2

Use 'encargado' as a job title for someone in charge of a specific, often smaller, area or task, like a department or a specific duty.

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responsable🔊B1

Use 'responsable' often within job titles to denote the person accountable for a particular department or area of responsibility.

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director🔊A2

Use 'director' for the head of a specific section, department, or organization, often implying a higher level of authority than 'gerente'.

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representante🔊B1

Use 'representante' specifically when referring to someone who manages talent, like an agent for an artist or athlete.

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ejecutivo🔊B2

Use 'ejecutivo' for a high-ranking administrator or executive in a company, typically involved in major decision-making.

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técnicoB1

Use 'técnico' in the context of sports or specific technical teams, referring to the coach or team leader.

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directora🔊A2

Use 'directora' for a female director, head of a section, or department, equivalent to 'director' but specifying gender.

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English → Spanish

jefe

/HEH-feh//ˈxefe/

NounA2general
Use 'jefe' for a general term for a boss or person in charge of people or a team, especially in a workplace setting.
A professional man in a dark suit sitting confidently at a large, polished desk in a bright, modern office, representing a boss or chief.

Examples

Mi jefe me asignó un nuevo proyecto.

My boss assigned me a new project.

Mi jefe es muy amable y comprensivo.

My boss is very kind and understanding.

Tengo una reunión con el jefe de departamento.

I have a meeting with the department head.

Ella es la jefa del equipo de marketing.

She is the head of the marketing team.

Male and Female Bosses: 'Jefe' vs. 'Jefa'

To talk about a female boss, you use 'la jefa'. The word changes its ending to match the person's gender: 'el jefe' for a man, 'la jefa' for a woman. The same goes for the plural: 'los jefes' and 'las jefas'.

Confusing 'Jefe' with 'Patrón'

Mistake: “Using 'patrón' to mean 'boss' in every situation.”

Correction: 'Jefe' is the standard, modern word for a boss or manager. 'Patrón' can also mean boss, but it often has an older feel, like 'master' or 'owner' of a small business or farm. Stick with 'jefe' for most office and work situations.

gerente

/he-RÉHN-teh//xeˈɾente/

nounB1business
Use 'gerente' for someone who manages a business, department, or specific area like sales, with a focus on general oversight and strategy.
A friendly person wearing a neat business suit stands in a brightly lit, organized office, holding a clipboard and giving a positive thumbs-up gesture.

Examples

La gerente de marketing presentó los resultados trimestrales.

The marketing manager presented the quarterly results.

La gerente de ventas aprobó la nueva estrategia.

The sales manager approved the new strategy.

Necesitamos hablar con el gerente general sobre los resultados del proyecto.

We need to speak with the general manager about the project results.

El gerente del hotel resolvió el problema de inmediato.

The hotel manager solved the problem immediately.

Gender Flexibility

Though 'gerente' is listed as masculine, it can refer to a man (el gerente) or a woman (la gerente). The word itself stays the same, but the article ('el' or 'la') must match the person's gender.

Confusing with 'Jefe'

Mistake: “Usando 'jefe' para un alto ejecutivo.”

Correction: While a 'jefe' is a boss, a 'gerente' usually implies a higher, more specific administrative rank, like a department head or general manager. Use 'gerente' for formal titles.

administrador

ad-mee-nee-stra-DOR/aðministɾaˈðoɾ/

nounA2general
Use 'administrador' for someone who manages a building, property, or administrative system, focusing on the operational and financial aspects.
A person wearing a professional vest standing in a bright office lobby holding a clipboard and greeting people.

Examples

El administrador de la finca se encarga del mantenimiento.

The estate manager is in charge of maintenance.

El administrador del edificio vive en el primer piso.

The building manager lives on the first floor.

El administrador de sistemas arregló mi computadora.

The systems administrator fixed my computer.

The '-dor' Suffix

In Spanish, adding '-dor' to a verb root is like adding '-er' in English. It turns the action into the person doing it: 'administrar' (to manage) becomes 'administrador' (manager).

Gender Matching

Mistake: “Using 'el administrador' for a woman.”

Correction: Use 'la administradora' when referring to a female manager. This entry focuses on the masculine form, but the 'a' ending is needed for females.

supervisor

soo-pehr-vee-SOHR/supeɾβiˈsoɾ/

nounB1general
Use 'supervisor' for someone who directly oversees the work of others, often providing guidance and checking on progress.
A central figure, depicted as a supervisor, standing slightly elevated and pointing clearly at a task on a table where three team members are actively working on a project.

Examples

El supervisor revisó el informe antes de enviarlo.

The supervisor reviewed the report before sending it.

Mi supervisor me dio una retroalimentación positiva sobre el proyecto.

My supervisor gave me positive feedback on the project.

Necesitas la aprobación del supervisor para tomar vacaciones.

You need the supervisor's approval to take vacation time.

El supervisor de la obra visitó el sitio esta mañana.

The construction site supervisor visited the site this morning.

Gender Change for People

When referring to a woman in this role, the word changes to the feminine form: 'la supervisora'. Always match the ending to the person's gender.

Confusing Roles

Mistake: “Usando 'jefe' cuando realmente es un 'supervisor'.”

Correction: While 'jefe' (boss) is general, 'supervisor' implies a specific role overseeing daily tasks. Use 'supervisor' for clarity in a hierarchy.

encargado

en-car-GAH-doh/eŋkaɾˈɣaðo/

nounA2job title
Use 'encargado' as a job title for someone in charge of a specific, often smaller, area or task, like a department or a specific duty.
A smiling person wearing a blue vest and holding a clipboard, standing in front of a neatly organized shelf section in a store, symbolizing a manager.

Examples

El encargado de la tienda abrió temprano hoy.

The store manager opened early today.

El encargado del almacén revisó el inventario.

The warehouse manager checked the inventory.

¿Podría hablar con el encargado de servicio al cliente?

Could I speak with the person in charge of customer service?

Mi hermano es el encargado de mantenimiento de ese edificio.

My brother is the maintenance supervisor for that building.

Gender Agreement

This word changes based on gender: 'el encargado' (male manager) and 'la encargada' (female manager).

responsable

reh-spon-SAH-bleh/res.ponˈsa.βle/

nounB1job title
Use 'responsable' often within job titles to denote the person accountable for a particular department or area of responsibility.
An adult wearing a red vest stands on a small step, overseeing two other people who are busy stacking wooden blocks in a collaborative environment.

Examples

Pregúntale al responsable de recursos humanos.

Ask the human resources manager.

Necesitas hablar con el responsable del departamento de ventas.

You need to speak with the person in charge of the sales department.

La policía busca al responsable de los daños.

The police are looking for the responsible party (or: the culprit) for the damages.

Ella es la responsable de abrir y cerrar la tienda.

She is the one responsible for opening and closing the store.

Gender and Articles

When used as a noun (meaning 'the person'), the article must match the gender: use 'el' for men and 'la' for women. The word 'responsable' itself does not change.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La responsable dijo que tenía que esperar, pero es un hombre.”

Correction: El responsable dijo que tenía que esperar. (If the person is male, use 'el,' even though 'responsable' ends in 'e.')

director

/dee-rek-TOR//di.ɾekˈtoɾ/

NounA2formal
Use 'director' for the head of a specific section, department, or organization, often implying a higher level of authority than 'gerente'.
A person wearing professional attire standing at the entrance of a school, holding a clipboard, looking authoritative.

Examples

El director financiero presentó los presupuestos anuales.

The financial director presented the annual budgets.

El director de la escuela dio un discurso.

The school principal gave a speech.

Hablé con la directora de Recursos Humanos.

I spoke with the Human Resources director.

Nuestro director general es muy joven.

Our CEO is very young.

Making it Feminine

This word changes for a woman. For a female director, you say 'la directora'. Remember to change 'el' to 'la' too!

`Director` vs. `Gerente`

Mistake: “Using `director` for a store manager.”

Correction: For a store, restaurant, or bank branch manager, it's more common to say 'el gerente'. 'Director' is usually for someone higher up, like the head of a whole company or a large department.

representante

reh-preh-sehn-TAHN-teh/re.pɾe.senˈtan.te/

nounB1specific field
Use 'representante' specifically when referring to someone who manages talent, like an agent for an artist or athlete.
A determined business agent in a suit sits at a desk talking on a phone, while a smiling, muscular athlete in a sports uniform stands next to the desk giving a thumbs up, symbolizing successful management.

Examples

Su representante negocia todos sus contratos.

His representative negotiates all his contracts.

Mi representante me consiguió un contrato con un gran estudio de cine.

My agent got me a contract with a big movie studio.

El futbolista está negociando con su representante para un mejor salario.

The soccer player is negotiating with his agent for a better salary.

ejecutivo

eh-heh-koo-TEE-voh/exe.kuˈti.βo/

NounB2formal, business
Use 'ejecutivo' for a high-ranking administrator or executive in a company, typically involved in major decision-making.
A friendly, simply drawn character wearing a professional suit, standing confidently behind a large, minimalist desk, representing a person in management.

Examples

El ejecutivo tomó la decisión final sobre la inversión.

The executive made the final decision on the investment.

El ejecutivo de la empresa dio una conferencia de prensa.

The company executive gave a press conference.

Ella es una ejecutiva muy talentosa en el sector bancario.

She is a very talented executive in the banking sector.

Feminine Form

The feminine version of this noun is 'la ejecutiva' (the female executive). Remember to change both the article (el/la) and the ending (-o/-a).

técnico

nounB1sports, specific field
Use 'técnico' in the context of sports or specific technical teams, referring to the coach or team leader.

Examples

El técnico preparó la estrategia para el próximo partido.

The coach prepared the strategy for the next game.

directora

dee-rek-TOH-rah/di.ɾekˈto.ɾa/

NounA2formal
Use 'directora' for a female director, head of a section, or department, equivalent to 'director' but specifying gender.
A confident woman in a dark business suit standing assertively behind a large wooden executive desk, signifying her role as the head of an organization.

Examples

La directora de recursos humanos anunció la nueva política.

The human resources director announced the new policy.

La directora de la empresa firmó el contrato.

The company director signed the contract.

Necesitamos hablar con la directora de la escuela sobre el horario.

We need to talk to the school principal about the schedule.

Mi hermana es la directora del departamento de marketing.

My sister is the director of the marketing department.

Feminine Role Titles

In Spanish, job titles often change form to match the person's gender. 'Directora' is the female form; 'director' is the male form.

Using the Masculine Form by Mistake

Mistake: “Hablé con el directora.”

Correction: Hablé con la directora. (Remember that the article 'la' must match the feminine noun 'directora'.)

Jefe vs. Gerente

The most common confusion is between 'jefe' and 'gerente'. 'Jefe' is a more general term for any boss, while 'gerente' specifically implies management of a business or department with strategic responsibilities.

Related Translations

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