manager; controller; administrator
General term for a person who oversees or manages an organization, project, or group; often used in business or administrative contexts.
He manages the whole project as the project controller.
組織の元締めが方針を決める。
The organization's administrator decides the policy.
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.
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.
general manager; overall supervisor
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
Abbreviated kanji form; less common but still encountered.
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.