Consejero

Consejero is a Spanish noun meaning a person who gives advice or counsel. It can also denote a member of a council or governing body who participates in policy-making. The word derives from consejo, meaning advice or council, with the suffix -ero indicating a person associated with something.

In public administration, the term is commonly used to refer to a member of a regional or national cabinet, or to a minister heading a government department. In many autonomous communities in Spain, consejero corresponds to what English speakers would call a minister, and the department headed by that person is called a Consejería.

In corporate governance, consejero denotes a member of a company's board of directors. When a consejero has executive duties, the title consejero delegado is used, which is equivalent to chief executive officer in some contexts. A non-executive consejero participates in oversight and strategic guidance.

The feminine form is consejera. The term also appears in other Romance languages with similar meanings; for example, Portuguese uses conselheiro. Depending on the country or organization, the precise powers and responsibilities associated with the title can vary, ranging from advisory roles to full executive or ministerial functions.