Institutional Operations Administrator (Institutions): Central Administration - #01673

DHRM•Richmond, VA

13d

About The Position

The Institutional Operations Administrator is a senior executive within the Division of Institutions, reporting directly to the Deputy Director for Institutions. The role supports the safe, secure, effective, and accountable operation of the Department’s correctional facilities while advancing agency priorities. In partnership with Regional Administrators, Wardens, and agency leadership, the Administrator coordinates statewide initiatives, leads strategic projects, and supports the administration of the Division. As a trusted advisor to the Deputy Director for Institutions, the Administrator provides strategic insight, recommendations, and executive-level support in addressing complex operational challenges. The position helps strengthen operational consistency, foster collaboration across the Division, and advance policies, procedures, and organizational improvement initiatives. Through evaluation of institutional performance and identification of improvement opportunities, the role supports operational effectiveness, accountability, leadership capacity, and workforce excellence. A commitment to a People First culture grounded in professionalism, integrity, respect, collaboration, and accountability is essential. The Administrator helps maintain operational continuity and respond to complex and emerging issues across the Department. The role requires sound judgment and discretion and may represent or act on behalf of the Deputy Director for Institutions when designated and within delegated authority. Extensive statewide travel and availability to respond to significant institutional incidents, operational emergencies, and other critical matters are required.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of adult correctional operations, institutional administration, security practices, offender management, emergency preparedness, and public safety.
Comprehensive knowledge of executive leadership, strategic planning, organizational management, human resource management, policy development, and evidence-based correctional practices.
Demonstrated ability to provide executive-level operational leadership; exercise independent judgment and delegated authority; manage complex institutional and organizational matters; lead statewide strategic initiatives; and evaluate operational performance to achieve measurable results.
Ability to develop and implement policies, coordinate cross-functional efforts, manage competing priorities, and drive organizational improvement.
Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with executive leadership, Regional Administrators, Wardens, government officials, and internal and external stakeholders.
Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to develop leaders, foster collaboration, promote accountability, and advance a People First culture.
Extensive statewide travel and availability to respond to significant institutional incidents, operational emergencies, and other critical matters as needed.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge in criminal justice, corrections, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
Significant senior-level leadership experience in correctional operations, institutional administration, or a comparable public safety organization, including experience equivalent to a Warden, Regional Administrator, or other executive-level position.
Demonstrated success leading complex operational initiatives, organizational change, institutional performance improvement, leadership development, and strategic projects across multiple organizational units.
Experience with executive-level policy development, resource management, legislative or stakeholder engagement, and organizational accountability.

Responsibilities

Support the safe, secure, effective, and accountable operation of the Department’s correctional facilities.
Coordinate statewide initiatives and lead strategic projects in partnership with Regional Administrators, Wardens, and agency leadership.
Support the overall administration of the Division of Institutions.
Provide strategic insight, recommendations, and executive-level support to the Deputy Director for Institutions on complex operational challenges.
Advance operational consistency, collaboration, policies, procedures, and organizational improvement initiatives.
Evaluate institutional performance and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, accountability, leadership capacity, and workforce excellence.
Help maintain operational continuity and respond to complex and emerging issues across the Department.
Represent or act on behalf of the Deputy Director for Institutions when designated and within delegated authority.
Respond to significant institutional incidents, operational emergencies, and other critical matters as needed.
Develop and implement policies, coordinate cross-functional efforts, manage competing priorities, and drive organizational improvement.