noun
manager; controller; administrator
General term for a person who oversees or manages an organization, project, or group; often used in business or administrative contexts.
彼はプロジェクトの元締めとして全体を管理している。
He manages the whole project as the project controller.
組織の元締めが方針を
The organization's administrator decides the policy.
noun
chief treasurer
Specifically refers to the person in charge of financial matters, such as a treasurer or head of accounts, within a group or organization.
町内会の元締めが会計を担当している。
The neighborhood association's chief treasurer is in charge of the accounts.
noun
Used in underworld or gambling contexts to refer to the person who runs a gambling establishment or similar illicit operation.
賭場の元締めが警察に捕まった。
The boss of the gambling den was caught by the police.
責任者 is a more general term for a person in charge or responsible person, while 元締め often implies a central coordinating or controlling role, sometimes with a nuance of being the ultimate authority.
親分 is a boss or leader in a hierarchical group, often with paternalistic overtones, especially in traditional or yakuza contexts. 元締め is more neutral and administrative, though it can also refer to a gambling boss.
Compound of 元 (moto, 'origin, base') and 締め (shime, 'tightening, fastening'), from 締める (shimeru, 'to tighten, to manage'). Literally 'base tightener', referring to someone who centrally controls or manages an organization or funds.