Starfsheitið

Starfsheitið is the formal designation of a person’s position within an organization, equivalent to the English term “job title.” It is used in employment contracts, payroll systems, human resources records, official correspondence, and organizational charts to identify a person’s role and level within the company or institution. A separate document, often a job description, typically outlines the duties and responsibilities associated with the position, while the starfshiitið itself focuses on the title and the level of responsibility.

In Icelandic usage, the term appears in definite form as ungefär “starfsheitið” (the job title). The base form is “starfsheiti.” Examples of common Icelandic titles include framkvæmdastjóri (chief executive officer), forstjóri (director), stjórnandi (manager), and verkstjóri (foreman). Titles may also be translations or Icelandic equivalents of foreign terms, such as “sölustjóri” for sales manager. Job titles can be specific to a sector, organization, or wage classification, and they may change if responsibilities or reporting lines shift.

Relation to other concepts: the starfheitið is distinct from the actual duties listed in a job description and from the person’s professional qualifications. It functions as a label used for classification, remuneration bands, recruitment, and internal communications. In the public and private sectors, titles are often standardized within a formal hierarchy or job classification system, while smaller organizations may use more flexible or informal titles.