Slightly Off KIlter

I think the workplace needs a new word. What’s a good, honest, descriptive word for the person to whom I report on the job?

I tend to use “manager” but I don’t need “managing”. I won’t use “supervisor”, “boss”, or gods forfend, “superior”. I’ve used “client” (even when I’m not on contract) but sometimes, the Person To Whom I Report is not my current client.

S/he is the person to whom I direct my status reports, the person from whom I take my directions (director?), the person who assigns me my tasks (assigner? taskmaster? (never!)).

I looked up synonyms for “manager” on thesaurus.com. Some of them have really unpleasant connotations (“straw boss”, “zookeeper”, “slave driver”…)

Perhaps administrator? Or employer? (but that’s more the Company). Maybe superintendent? I rather like superintendent…

A person who has the authority to supervise or direct.

One who has the oversight and charge of some place, institution, [department], or organization, [or operation], affairs, etc., with the power of direction…

I could live with that…