What is the title of an individual who runs a government department and is part of the cabinet in the United States?

In the United States, the title of an individual who runs a government department and is a member of the cabinet is "Secretary." Each cabinet position is responsible for a specific area of public policy, government function, or program. For example, the Secretary of State manages the Department of State, which is responsible for foreign affairs, while the Secretary of Defense oversees the Department of Defense, which handles military matters.

The use of "Secretary" aligns with the organizational structure of the U.S. federal government, where each department's head is designated with this title, reflecting their role in the executive branch and cabinet. This system is distinct from other terms that may refer to administrative roles but do not carry the same cabinet-level responsibilities, such as "Minister" or "Commissioner," which are used in other governments or contexts. "Director" is also a term commonly associated with leadership positions within specific agencies but typically not at the cabinet level.