higher-up
Someone above you
A higher-up is someone with more authority or rank in an organization: The higher-ups decided to close the branch.
The term implies distance between ordinary workers and those making decisions above them.
Usually plural, often with a note of mild resentment or resignation toward distant power.
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- directorOne who leads
superior · chief · administrator · overseer · commander · superintendent · foreman · head
Top corporate officer
- CFOTop corporate money officer
- COOTop operations executive
- presidentElected leader of nation
- vice presidentSecond-ranking executive officer
chairman · board member · partner · managing director · department head · division chief · senior management · stakeholder
boss
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- executiveSenior organizational leader
director · superior · chief · administrator · overseer · commander · superintendent · foreman · head · captain
CEO
Top corporate officer
vice president · chairman · board member · partner · managing director · department head · division chief · senior management · stakeholder · shareholder
rank
Position in hierarchy
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- tierHorizontal structural layer
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
pecking order · ladder · structure · level · position · standing · gradation · order · seniority · reporting line