chef de projet
/ʃɛf də pʁɔ.ʒɛ/masculine
The English phrase 'project manager' is translated into French as chef de projet.
chef de projet refers to a person who manages projects.
Meaning: one who manages projects (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase chef de projet literally translates to 'head of project', where chef means head or leader.
Which one should you use?
While chef de projet is used for standard project management, directeur de projet implies a higher level of seniority or oversight over multiple projects or a larger scale.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer specifically to a female project manager, use the feminine form cheffe de projet.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɛf də pʁɔ.ʒɛ/
Did you know?
- The word projet shares its root with the English word 'projectile'. Both come from the Latin proiectus, which means 'thrown forward'.
- In French corporate culture, calling someone chef as a shorthand nickname can be seen as either overly informal or slightly ironic, depending on the office hierarchy.
- The spelling cheffe de projet is an example of the recent movement in French to feminize professional titles, which has been a subject of much debate in the Académie Française.
Examples in context
- Je suis le chef de projet.I'm the project manager.This example shows how to use chef de projet to identify one's role.Tatoeba #10809035 by Aiji, translation #6270341 by CK
- Je trouve que c'est un bon développeur mais un mauvais chef de projet.I think he's a good developer but a bad project manager.This example uses chef de projet to contrast a developer's skills with their management skills.Tatoeba #8144945 by Aiji, translation #9011808 by jaydenms
- Le gestionnaire de projet est chargé d'assurer la réussite de l'ensemble du projet.The project manager is responsible for ensuring the success of the entire project.
- Le chef de projet est à la tête d'une équipe multidisciplinaire.The project manager is leading a multidisciplinary team.
- Le responsable de projet a fait un excellent travail dans la gestion de l'équipe.The project manager did an excellent job in team management.
- Le chef de chantier est en charge de la coordination des travaux sur le site.The project manager is responsible for coordinating the work on-site.
- Il cherche un nouveau poste de chef de projet.He is looking for a new project manager position.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are talking about a job opening at a tech company.
- EmmaTu connais un bon chef de projet pour ce poste ?Do you know a good project manager for this position?
- LucasLucas pourrait être très intéressé par l'offre.Lucas could be very interested in the offer.
- EmmaC'est vrai, il est très organisé.That's true, he is very organized.
- LucasJe vais lui en parler demain.I will tell him about it tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “project manager” translations and entries chef de projet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chef, de, projet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
