hatchetman
Does dirty work
A hatchetman is someone hired to carry out unpleasant tasks—firing employees, cutting programs, or attacking opponents.
The term originated with Chinese gang enforcers in 19th-century America, but now typically describes corporate troubleshooters or political operatives who do dirty work: The CEO brought in a hatchetman to slash the workforce.
Also spelled hatchet man.
Contractile body tissue
bruiser · strongarm · lieutenant · bodyguard · bouncer · leg-breaker · collector · intimidator
Professional paid murderer
- killerOne who causes death
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- gunmanArmed violent person
- contract killerPaid professional murderer
liquidator · triggerman · hired gun · mercenary · sniper · terminator · cleaner · torpedo
One who reduces scale
- layoffTermination without cause
- terminationAct of ending something
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- firingsTerminations of employment
redundancy · pink slip · consultant · efficiency · streamlining · workforce reduction · headcount · severance
muscle
Contractile body tissue
heavy · bruiser · strongarm · lieutenant · bodyguard · bouncer · leg-breaker · collector · intimidator · tough
hitman
Professional paid murderer
- killerOne who causes death
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- gunmanArmed violent person
contract killer · liquidator · triggerman · hired gun · mercenary · sniper · terminator · cleaner · torpedo · button man
downsizer
One who reduces scale
- layoffTermination without cause
- terminationAct of ending something
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
firings · redundancy · pink slip · consultant · efficiency · streamlining · workforce reduction · headcount · severance · outsourcing
cold-blooded
Unfeeling or externally heated
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- remorselessLacking guilt or pity
- pitilessLacking any compassion
heartless · callous · brutal · savage · unfeeling · implacable · unsparing · clinical · efficient · professional
hatchetmandecision-maker
One with choosing power
puppet master · shot-caller · principal · mastermind · boss
hatchetmanrecruiter
One who finds candidates
talent scout · headhunter · builder · peacemaker · mediator