Deputy Secretary - Secretary of the Commonwealth

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

1d•$145,000 - $155,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth serves as the Secretary’s principal deputy, senior strategic advisor, and chief operational officer, with responsibilities comparable to a Chief of Staff. The role provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and day-to-day management of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. As the Secretary’s second-in-command, the Deputy Secretary exercises independent judgment and executive discretion across administrative, policy, personnel, and intergovernmental matters, and coordinates with the Secretary, office leadership, the Governor’s Office, executive branch agencies, legislative stakeholders, and external partners. The position oversees the Office’s daily operations, senior staff, organizational priorities, strategic planning, major initiatives, and the Secretary’s executive priorities. It is an executive management role—not solely a policy advisory or ceremonial deputy position—and includes responsibility for the effective administration and continuous improvement of programs and services. The Deputy Secretary also serves as an institutional steward, safeguarding the integrity and continuity of governmental functions that support Virginia’s constitutional framework and public institutions. This is an at-will position appointed by the Governor. The selected candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint background check. Teleworking is not available. The listed hiring range is $145,000 to $155,000.

Requirements

Significant progressively responsible experience in executive leadership, government administration, public policy, organizational management, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience supervising personnel, managing complex operations, and coordinating high-level initiatives.
Experience advising senior executives or elected officials and managing sensitive or confidential matters.
Demonstrated success developing organizational strategies, managing competing priorities, and ensuring execution of executive directives.
Strong knowledge of administrative processes, stakeholder engagement, and executive decision-making.
Exceptional executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning capabilities.
Ability to manage complex organizations, competing priorities, and multiple high-level initiatives.
Strong supervisory skills and experience managing professional staff and senior-level teams.
Sound judgment, political and institutional awareness, discretion, and ability to navigate sensitive governmental matters.
Ability to translate executive priorities into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing executive briefings and representing senior leadership.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Knowledge of government administration, public policy, legislative processes, and intergovernmental relations.
Understanding of constitutional government, statutory responsibilities, public accountability, and institutional continuity.
Ability to establish effective relationships with executive officials, legislators, agency leadership, community stakeholders, and staff.
Experience managing budgets, organizational resources, performance systems, and administrative operations.
Commitment to ethical leadership, public accountability, confidentiality, and responsive public service.
Ability to exercise independent judgment while maintaining close alignment with the Secretary’s direction and priorities.
Successful completion of a fingerprint background check.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, political science, business administration, law, or a related field; equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
Advanced degree preferred.
Experience as a Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretary, senior agency executive, legislative director, or in a comparable senior leadership position.
Experience in a Governor’s Office, Cabinet secretariat, state agency, legislative office, or other complex public-sector organization.
Demonstrated experience managing organizational change, cross-agency initiatives, and executive operations.
Familiarity with Virginia state government, the legislative process, and the administrative responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Secretary’s principal advisor and executive partner on strategic, operational, administrative, and organizational matters.
Function as the Office’s Chief of Staff, overseeing daily operations, staff performance, organizational priorities, and internal decision-making.
Manage the flow of information, recommendations, and decisions to the Secretary, ensuring decisions and practices uphold institutional responsibilities and public trust.
Direct and coordinate the Office’s day-to-day administrative and operational functions; establish effective organizational structures, procedures, workflows, and management practices.
Coordinate work among office divisions, program areas, and administrative functions.
Directly supervise senior staff; set performance expectations, reporting relationships, accountability measures, and professional standards.
Oversee staff assignments, workload distribution, organizational capacity, and resource allocation, and foster a collaborative, respectful, inclusive, and results-oriented workplace.
Lead development and implementation of strategic and annual operational plans; establish priorities, timelines, performance benchmarks, and accountability systems.
Oversee major initiatives, special projects, and cross-functional assignments directed by the Secretary.
Coordinate the Secretary’s executive priorities, commitments, and strategic initiatives; work with executive support staff on schedules, briefings, meetings, and engagements.
Review and prioritize requests for the Secretary’s participation, decisions, and involvement.
Serve as a senior liaison with the Governor’s Office, Cabinet secretariats, executive agencies, legislative offices, and other governmental entities.
Coordinate interagency initiatives and facilitate collaboration on matters affecting the Office’s responsibilities.
Support the Secretary’s relationships with the General Assembly, constitutional officers, local governments, and community stakeholders.
Represent the Office in interagency meetings, working groups, and strategic discussions when authorized.
Safeguard the integrity, continuity, and proper administration of governmental functions supporting Virginia’s constitutional framework and public institutions.