Assistant Director of Board Appointments & Engagement

DHRM•Richmond, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Board Appointments and Engagement advances the Governor’s appointments process and strengthens statewide engagement with board partners, appointees, and public stakeholders. The position identifies, evaluates, and places qualified individuals on Virginia’s boards, commissions, authorities, and advisory councils, while leading communications and engagement efforts that support transparency, accessibility, and public understanding of the process. Reporting to the Director of Board Appointments, the Assistant Director manages candidate recruitment, vetting, and placement; collaborates with senior administration officials, agency leaders, community stakeholders, and prospective appointees; and contributes to communications strategies supporting the Governor’s priorities and the Code of Virginia. This is an at-will position appointed by the Governor of Virginia. There is no regular teleworking. The selected candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint background check. Applicants are asked to attach writing samples.

Requirements

Exceptional organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
Excellent judgment and analytical ability to review candidate materials and prepare informed, well-supported recommendations.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences.
Professionalism, discretion, and integrity, including the ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
Successful completion of a fingerprint background check.

Nice To Haves

Commitment to public service and understanding of the importance of citizen participation in boards and commissions.
Experience in government, public administration, legislative affairs, executive operations, public engagement, or a related field.
Knowledge of Virginia government, state ethics laws, open records requirements, and the board appointments process.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and CRM or other data management systems.
Applicants are asked to attach writing samples to their application.

Responsibilities

Review applications, resumes, references, and supporting materials to assess candidate qualifications and recommend prospective appointees.
Prepare candidate briefing materials, appointment recommendations, executive summaries, and related documents for senior leadership review.
Monitor vacancies, term expirations, and statutory deadlines to ensure timely and accurate appointment actions.
Ensure compliance with applicable statutes, executive directives, ethics requirements, and appointment procedures.
Support the full lifecycle of the Governor’s appointments process, including recruitment, vetting, appointment, confirmation, and onboarding.
Identify, recruit, and evaluate qualified candidates from diverse professional and community backgrounds.
Develop and implement communications strategies that promote clarity, transparency, and accessibility in the appointments process.
Draft internal and external communications, including outreach materials, informational resources, announcements, correspondence, and public-facing guidance.
Build engagement with agency leadership, elected officials, community organizations, professional associations, and prospective appointees through proactive communication and relationship management.
Respond to inquiries from applicants, public officials, advocacy groups, and members of the public with timely and accurate information.
Support outreach initiatives, recruitment events, and stakeholder meetings while representing the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Identify communication trends and stakeholder needs to improve messaging, engagement strategies, and public understanding of boards and commissions.
Maintain accurate databases, tracking systems, and official records related to board appointments and engagement activities.
Coordinate appointment announcements, swearing-in ceremonies, onboarding activities, and associated communications.
Prepare regular reports, analyze appointment data, and support continuous improvement through operational evaluation and workflow recommendations.
Identify opportunities to strengthen internal processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the appointments and engagement program.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Board Appointments or the Secretary of the Commonwealth.