Deputy Director of Institutions: Central Administration #DOC00201

DHRM • Richmond, VA

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About The Position

The Virginia Department of Corrections is seeking an experienced, principled, and results-driven executive to lead statewide institutional operations. As a member of the Director’s senior leadership team, the Deputy Director for Institutions reports to the Chief Deputy Director and provides executive leadership and oversight for 38 correctional facilities and thousands of correctional professionals across Virginia. The role is responsible for ensuring safe, secure, and effectively managed institutions while advancing correctional practices that improve operational performance, accountability, and rehabilitative outcomes.

The Deputy Director oversees facility operations across the Commonwealth, including the custody and supervision of an incarcerated population across multiple security levels. The role implements correctional policies, standards, and operational practices and collaborates with community supervision partners to support successful reentry. The Deputy Director works closely with other executive leaders responsible for Community Corrections, Health Services, Reentry, Education, and Programs, Administration, and Professional Standards.

The successful candidate will provide strategic, disciplined, and collaborative leadership, promote ethical conduct and professionalism, and drive continuous improvement, employee support, organizational accountability, and public safety throughout the correctional system.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of correctional operations, including facility management, security practices, and institutional safety protocols.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a large and complex correctional, public safety, or governmental organization.
• Proven ability to lead large operational teams and oversee complex facilities or statewide operations.
• Strong understanding of modern correctional practices, policies, and professional standards.
• Experience operating in highly regulated public sector environments with strong accountability expectations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational challenges and make sound strategic decisions.
• Experience developing leadership teams and strengthening organizational performance.
• Ability to complete the Virginia Ethics Council Conflict of Interest filing within two business days of hire and annually thereafter, in accordance with the Code of Virginia § 2.2-3100.
• Ability to complete Conflict of Interest training within two months of hire and every other year thereafter, as required by Code of Virginia § 2.2-3132.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced education in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in institutional corrections or a comparable public safety environment.
• Considerable knowledge of VADOC operating policies and practices governing institutional operations.
• Experience leading large correctional systems or multi-facility institutional operations.
• Demonstrated experience advancing operational improvements and organizational culture within correctional environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for statewide institutional operations.
• Ensure correctional facilities across the Commonwealth are safe, secure, and professionally operated.
• Lead and support regional leadership teams responsible for facility operations and performance.
• Advance modern correctional practices that strengthen safety, accountability, and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Strengthen leadership accountability, operational discipline, and professional standards across institutions.
• Implement agency strategic priorities and operational objectives across institutional operations.
• Promote operational alignment between institutional operations and community supervision to support successful reentry outcomes.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, ethical leadership, and respect for the correctional workforce.
• Collaborate with fellow Deputy Directors and executive leadership to align institutional operations with community supervision, health services, reentry initiatives, administrative functions, and professional standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development across the system.

Benefits

• Position may be eligible for moving and relocation expenses, subject to Commonwealth accounting and procurement requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed