self-directedˌself-diˈrected adjectiveadj [only before a noun] American EnglishAmE1FINANCE a self-directed PENSION is managed by the employee rather than his or her employer, and allows the employee to sell or move any investments they have in the company they work forEmployees who change jobs can move their retirement account into their new employer’s plan, or into a self-directed IRA (=individual retirement account).
2HUMAN RESOURCES self-directed workers are responsible for organizing and judging their own work, rather than taking instructions from managersSYN BrE self-managedThe self-directed operating teams have been formally organized, and the middle managers told of their new responsibilities.