How to Say "manager" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “manager” is “jefe” — use 'jefe' for a general boss or supervisor in any work environment, especially when referring to your direct superior.
jefe
HEH-fehˈxefe
Examples
Mi jefe me pidió que terminara el informe hoy mismo.
My boss asked me to finish the report today.
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-tehxeˈɾente
Examples
La gerente de marketing presentó la campaña publicitaria.
The marketing manager presented the advertising campaign.
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-DORaðministɾaˈðoɾ
Examples
El administrador del edificio se encarga del mantenimiento.
The building 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.
director
dee-rek-TORdi.ɾekˈtoɾ
Examples
El director de recursos humanos implementó nuevas políticas.
The human resources director implemented new policies.
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.
encargado
en-car-GAH-doheŋkaɾˈɣaðo
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).
supervisor
soo-pehr-vee-SOHRsupeɾβiˈsoɾ
Examples
Mi supervisor revisará mi desempeño trimestralmente.
My supervisor will review my performance quarterly.
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.
directivo
dee-rek-TEE-bohdiɾekˈtiβo
Examples
Los directivos de la compañía se reunieron para discutir las ganancias.
The company executives met to discuss profits.
El directivo anunció los nuevos planes de la empresa.
The executive announced the company's new plans.
Es un joven directivo con mucha ambición.
He is a young manager with a lot of ambition.
Los directivos de la aerolínea están negociando el contrato.
The airline's board members are negotiating the contract.
People words ending in -o
When this word ends in 'o', it specifically refers to a man. If you are talking about a woman in this role, change the 'o' to an 'a' (directiva).
Manager vs. Executive
Mistake: “Using 'director' for every boss.”
Correction: Use 'directivo' for high-level management or executives. 'Director' is often a more specific title, like a department head.
dirigente
dee-ree-hen-tehdiɾiˈxente
Examples
El dirigente del partido político habló en el mitin.
The political party leader spoke at the rally.
La dirigente del sindicato convocó a una reunión.
The union leader called a meeting.
Los dirigentes del club están contentos con los resultados.
The club officials are happy with the results.
Es un joven dirigente con mucho futuro en la política.
He is a young leader with a great future in politics.
One ending for everyone
This word doesn't change its ending to 'a' for women. You simply change the 'el' to 'la' (el dirigente vs. la dirigente).
The '-nte' pattern
The ending '-nte' in Spanish is like adding '-er' in English. It describes the person doing the action (the one who directs).
Avoid 'dirigenta'
Mistake: “La dirigenta del grupo.”
Correction: La dirigente del grupo. While 'dirigenta' exists in some very informal regional speech, 'la dirigente' is the standard and most accepted form.
gestor
hes-TORxesˈtoɾ
Examples
El gestor financiero me aconsejó sobre inversiones.
The financial manager advised me on investments.
Mi gestor me ayuda a preparar los impuestos cada año.
My consultant helps me prepare my taxes every year.
Ella es la gestora de proyectos en la empresa de tecnología.
She is the project manager at the technology company.
El gestor bancario me llamó para explicarme las nuevas condiciones.
The bank manager called me to explain the new conditions.
Gender Changes
To refer to a woman, simply change the ending to 'gestora.' It follows the standard pattern for words ending in a consonant.
Using 'de'
To specify what kind of manager someone is, just add 'de' plus the subject: 'gestor de cuentas' (account manager).
Manager vs. Gestor
Mistake: “Using 'manager' (the English word) in formal Spanish documents.”
Correction: Use 'gestor' or 'gerente.' While 'manager' is sometimes used in sports, 'gestor' is the correct term for business and paperwork.
representante
reh-preh-sehn-TAHN-tehre.pɾe.senˈtan.te
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.
responsable
reh-spon-SAH-blehres.ponˈsa.βle
Examples
El responsable de seguridad revisará las cámaras.
The security manager will check the cameras.
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.')
entrenador
en-treh-nah-DORentɾenaˈðoɾ
Examples
El entrenador del equipo de baloncesto dio instrucciones.
The basketball team's coach gave instructions.
El entrenador les dijo a los jugadores que corrieran más rápido.
The coach told the players to run faster.
Mi entrenador de natación es muy estricto, pero es el mejor.
My swimming coach is very strict, but he is the best.
Gender Change
To refer to a female coach, you simply change the ending: 'la entrenadora'. The root of the word stays the same.
Confusing the Person and the Place
Mistake: “Voy al entrenador.”
Correction: Voy al entrenamiento. ('Entrenador' is the person; 'entrenamiento' is the practice session or training itself.)
técnico
Examples
El técnico analizó las jugadas del partido.
The coach analyzed the game plays.
ejecutivo
eh-heh-koo-TEE-vohexe.kuˈti.βo
Examples
El ejecutivo presentó los resultados financieros a la junta directiva.
The executive presented the financial results to the board of directors.
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).
mánager
Examples
El mánager de los Yankees firmó un nuevo contrato.
The Yankees' manager signed a new contract.
directora
dee-rek-TOH-rahdi.ɾekˈto.ɾa
Examples
La directora de la orquesta dirigió la sinfonía.
The orchestra director conducted the symphony.
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'.)
Choosing between Jefe, Gerente, and Administrador
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.