direktion

Direktion is a German noun meaning the office or body responsible for directing an organization. It can refer to the management, the executive leadership, or the central administration of a company, school, or public institution. In educational settings, the Direktion denotes the school administration headed by the director. In corporate or municipal contexts it can signify the board or central office, as opposed to operative divisions. The term emphasizes authority and the personnel charged with leadership, rather than the day-to-day execution.

The word derives from Latin directio, via Old French direction, and has been part of High German since the early modern period. It is a feminine noun: die Direktion; plural die Direktionen. In contemporary usage, many organizations prefer terms such as Geschäftsführung, Leitung, or Verwaltung for the functional sense of management, reserving Direktion for the formal office, historic usage, or specialized jargon.

In specific domains, Direktion is found in compound forms: the Direktion eines Theaters (the theater’s management), or the Direktion der Stadtverwaltung (the city administration). In film, literature, or journalism, the terms Regie or Redaktion are often used instead of Direktion to denote the act of directing or editing, while Direktion tends to reference the organizational leadership rather than the creative process. See also directorate, administration, leadership.