Title: Assistant Deputy Commissioner for 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
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.
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.
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.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
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 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.
Name: VEC Human Resources / Recruitment
Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.
Email: Careers@vec.virginia.gov for recruitment related questions. Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
