1.
chief editor; managing editor; editorial director
The person who oversees and directs the editorial work of a publication such as a newspaper, magazine, or journal.
2.
manager; director; person in charge
A senior staff member or executive responsible for managing a project, department, or organization. Used as a job title in government and some companies.
Compound of 主 ('main; chief') and 幹 ('trunk; core; key person'). Originally meaning the main trunk or pillar of something, the word extended to refer to the person who plays the central role in an organization or publication.
Usage
In journalism, 主幹 is a prestigious title, often higher than 編集長 ('editor-in-chief'). In government, it is a mid-to-senior rank between 課長補佐 and 課長. Usage varies by organization.
Common collocations
- 論説主幹: editorial director
- 主幹を務める: to serve as chief editor / manager
- 主幹研究員: senior researcher
- 主幹教諭: senior teacher (government rank)
Similar words
- 編集長: editor-in-chief — the more common title for the head of a publication's editing team
- 主観: subjectivity — homophone with different kanji; completely different meaning
- 幹事: organizer; secretary — a person who arranges events or meetings, not an editorial role
- 責任者: person in charge — a general term for whoever is responsible