Chief Deputy Comissioner

DHRM • Richmond, VA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission (VWC) is seeking an experienced judicial leader to serve as its next Chief Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner serves as the senior executive responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight of the Commission's Judicial Division. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the fair, efficient, and legally sound administration of the Commission's adjudicatory responsibilities while advancing strategic initiatives that strengthen judicial operations across the agency. The Chief Deputy Commissioner provides executive leadership to the Commission's Deputy Commissioners, Regional Offices, Clerk's Office, and associated judicial programs while collaborating closely with agency leadership to support organizational excellence, legislative implementation, and continuous improvement. Why This Role Matters The Chief Deputy Commissioner serves as a key member of the Commission's executive leadership team, helping shape the future of judicial operations while ensuring the Commission continues to deliver fair, timely, and effective service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This position offers the opportunity to influence agency-wide strategy, mentor judicial leaders, improve operational effectiveness, and uphold the Commission's longstanding commitment to impartial and high-quality adjudication.

Requirements

• Exceptional executive leadership and organizational management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, Commission Rules, and related statutes.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to guide a large judicial organization through complex operational challenges.
• Outstanding legal analysis and sound executive judgment.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships across the Commission and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• A commitment to integrity, professionalism, public service, and continuous improvement.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• Extensive progressively responsible experience in workers' compensation adjudication and judicial administration.
• Experience serving as a Deputy Commissioner or in a comparable executive judicial leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading complex organizational initiatives.
• Extensive knowledge of judicial administration, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and public sector management.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Judicial Division.
• Lead and develop judicial leadership while promoting accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and oversee workload management to ensure efficient judicial operations.
• Provide legal and procedural guidance regarding judicial administration, Commission policies, and applicable statutes and regulations.
• Collaborate with the Chairman, Full Commission, Executive Director, and agency leadership on strategic initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Evaluate legislative and regulatory changes and oversee implementation within judicial operations.
• Foster consistency, fairness, and quality throughout the Commission's adjudicatory processes.
• Supervise Deputy Commissioners, Regional Deputy Commissioners, Managing Deputy Commissioners, the Clerk's Office leadership, and other key judicial staff.
• Hear assigned cases, issue written opinions and orders, and perform other duties assigned by the Chairman or Full Commission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree