11:36 Oct 10, 2011 

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it kind of dangerous to translate job titles like this? People are usually extremely touchy about their status (if your translation strikes too low) and others might be outraged if it is perceived to be an upgrade. Wouldn't it be better to write out the Italian with an explanation in parentheses? In the meantime, consider a variation on executive officer or administrative officer.

15:12 Oct 9, 2011 

Department Director-General..... it could work at all levels, and it is much used (try googling it!). Also used in Italian Ministry of Finance: for example, one Domenico Siniscalco is "Director General (of Tax Policy, International Department) Ministry of Finance ..."

14:36 Oct 9, 2011 

Dear Answerers,
Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate your help, however I doubt that any of your answers really fits here.
Giusy, I think you got closer to the point than the others, but it seems a higher and more important position than "funzionario direttivo" which is a general name for a civil servant in the PA with administration tasks.
So Emiliano, "leading civil servant" is close but too generic in my opinion.
Lorraine, the Ministry is Finance and the country is Italy. Anyway, the names of positions you provided are very different from each other and very specific, "funzionario direttivo apicale" instead is a generic name for a position in the PA (at national, regional, provincial level)
Thanks to all of you.
What do you think of "Senior Executive Civil Servant"??

I 'd be glad if you want to make a further effort and give advice on this.