Assistant Deputy Commissioner for PFML

Virginia-Employment-Commission; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Employment Commission seeks an Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Paid Family and Medical Leave to lead Virginia's PFML program from stand-up to full operation. You will shape staffing, policy, and technology, coordinating across claims, contributions, benefits, customer service, and governance to ensure readiness for key milestones through 2028.

The role requires executive leadership, strategic policy development, and robust stakeholder engagement with a focus on equity, efficiency, and

Qualifications

• Extensive executive leadership experience standing up, scaling, or transforming large-scale public programs.
• Deep knowledge of paid family and medical leave, unemployment insurance, disability, or comparable social insurance program design, financing, and operations.
• Ability to build organizational structure, staffing plans, governance, and operating procedures for a new program.
• Skilled in change management, multi-stakeholder engagement, and navigating regulatory environments.
• Strong financial acumen for trust funds, rate-setting, budget development, and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership to stand up and operate Virginia's PFML program.
• Oversee day-to-day program operations and cross-functional governance.
• Develop policy, rulemaking, and technology modernization for PFML.
• Lead staffing and organizational culture oriented to service, accountability, and equity.
• Engage with legislators, employers, and stakeholders to ensure program readiness and performance.

Skills

Executive leadership

Public policy knowledge

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Data-driven decision making

Public speaking

Job description

Title: Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: Commensurate to $180,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: VEC CENTRAL OFFICE

Agency Website: www.VEC.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC) provides executive leadership to stand up and operate Virginia’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, the first of its kind in the South. Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations and serving as a key member of the VEC leadership team, the ADC - PFML builds the founding leadership structure, oversees day-to-day program operations, and coordinates the strategic vision, governance, and performance across claims administration, employer contributions, benefits payment, adjudication and appeals, customer service, communications, policy development, rulemaking, and technology modernization. This role ensures program readiness for major milestones, including annual premium rate-setting beginning October 1, 2027, the start of contribution collection on April 1, 2028, and the launch of benefit payments in December 2028. This position is also responsible for trust fund stewardship, development of policies and operational frameworks that ensure integrity and efficiency, and implementation of performance metrics, reporting systems, and continuous improvement practices. The ADC - PFML manages relationships with legislators, employers, advocacy groups, state agencies, and other stakeholders, representing the VEC and the PFML program in internal and external forums while ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. This role oversees strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and workforce planning, and leads a cross-functional team to ensure readiness for launch and sustained operational excellence. Critically, the ADC - PFML is accountable for building the leadership team and fostering an organizational culture rooted in customer service, accountability, innovation, and equity to guide the PFML program from initial stand‑up through full operating scale.

This is a founding role. You will shape how Virginia's Paid Family and Medical Leave program takes form, this program manager will shape staffing, structure, policy, service, and how the Commonwealth shows up for a worker during life’s moments that matter most.

You will build a team of leaders who run claims, contributions, technology, and customer care. You will support the translation of a new law into working policy, stand up the technology, and carry the program to the moment Virginians receive their first benefit payments in December 2028.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive executive leadership experience standing up, scaling, or transforming large-scale public benefit, social insurance, or public-facing service programs.
• Deep knowledge of paid family and medical leave, unemployment insurance, disability, or comparable social insurance program design, financing, and operations.
• Demonstrated ability to build organizational structure, staffing plans, governance, and operating procedures for a new program from the ground up, and to lead managers above the first-line supervisory level.
• Skilled in change management, multi‑stakeholder engagement, and navigating complex regulatory and legislative environments.
• Strong financial acumen for trust fund solvency, rate‑setting, budget development, procurement, and performance management.
• Understanding of how modern technology, digital service delivery, and data can improve business operations and customer experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and public representation skills, including the ability to engage diverse audiences with clarity and respect.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret complex program, financial, and customer data and translate findings into policy and operational decisions.
• Demonstrated experience launching new programs or leading major operational transformations, including developing and managing significant operating budgets.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with demanding stakeholders in complex, high‑stakes environments, including legislative bodies and executive leadership.
• Senior executive experience leading large public‑sector, private, or non‑profit programs or organizations, including leading managers above the first-line supervisory level.
• Note: The incumbent must complete Statement of Economic Interest forms and training. Some statewide travel may be required so a valid driver's license is required.

Additional Considerations

• Direct experience leading a state paid family and medical leave, family and medical leave insurance, unemployment insurance, or other social insurance program.
• Experience delivering a digitally native, public-facing service and working in a start‑up or program stand‑up environment with a high degree of autonomy.
• Experience overseeing a benefits trust fund, actuarial rate‑setting, or insurance financing.
• Experience testifying before or briefing legislative bodies.
• Experience building an organizational culture of empathy, empowerment, and high performance among stakeholder‑facing staff.

Working for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Virginians every day. As the agency responsible for supporting workers, employers, and the statewide labor market, the VEC plays a critical role in strengthening economic stability and fostering workforce resilience. Employees have the opportunity to shape modern public programs, improve service delivery, and contribute to initiatives that directly help individuals and families during life's pivotal moments. The VEC values innovation, collaboration, and public service, providing a mission‑driven environment where leaders can create lasting, positive change for communities across the Commonwealth. If you’re motivated by purpose and committed to excellence, the VEC offers a rewarding and impactful place to grow your career. And working for the Commonwealth has terrific benefits as well! Visit https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits for more information.

The Virginia Employment Commission is committed to upholding our values in our employment opportunities across the Commonwealth to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, and a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

• The selected candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation and an Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud background check.
• Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and résumés will not be accepted.
• Applications are not accepted after the recruitment closing date.
• Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. VEC does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range / flat rate.
• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application (and/or resume). You must ensure your application/resume includes the scope of your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the position you are applying for. Information not stated will not be assumed.
• Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.
• The VEC does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.
• NOTICE: VEC will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.