1.
executive director; managing director
A senior executive position in a Japanese company, ranking below the president (社長) and vice president (副社長) but above regular directors (取締役). Short for 専務取締役.
田中専務に報告する。
I will report to Executive Director Tanaka.
彼は来月専務に昇進する。
He will be promoted to managing director next month.
専務として海外事業の統括を任されている。
As managing director, I have been entrusted with overseeing overseas operations.
Short for 専務取締役 (senior managing director). In the typical Japanese corporate hierarchy, the rank order is: 会長 (chairman) → 社長 (president) → 副社長 (vice president) → 専務 → 常務 (managing director) → 取締役 (director).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 専務取締役 — senior managing director (full title)
- 専務に就任する — to assume the post of managing director
- 専務に昇進する — to be promoted to managing director
USAGE:
Often used as a title of address within a company. Employees refer to the person as "名字専務" (e.g., 田中専務).
RELATED TERMS:
- 常務 — managing director (one rank below 専務)
- 社長 — company president
- 取締役 — company director