representative director; spokesperson for a board of directors
A director who legally represents a corporation or organization, often with executive authority. Used in business and legal contexts.
He serves as the representative director of our company.
The representative director announced the new policy at the press conference.
理事 is a general director or board member; 代表理事 specifically has the authority to represent the organization externally.
代表取締役 is the equivalent title in a stock company (株式会社), while 代表理事 is used in foundations, associations, and other non-stock entities.
Compound of 代表 (representative) and 理事 (director). A modern legal term with no obscure historical derivation.