verb

control the operations of; manage or govern.

an economic elite directed the nation’s affairs

administer,manage,run,control,govern,conduct,handle,be in charge of,be in control of,be in command of,be the boss of,lead,head,command,rule,preside over,exercise control over,be responsible for,be at the helm of,supervise,superintend,oversee,guide,regulate,orchestrate,coordinate,engineer,mastermind,run the show,call the shots,call the tune,pull the strings,be in the driving seat,be in the saddle