Deputy Secretary - Secretary of the Commonwealth

Title: Deputy Secretary

Hiring Range: $145,000 to $155,000

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Secretary of the Commonwealth

Location: Patrick Henry Building

Agency Website: https://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Historical Significance of the Office
The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth holds a distinctive and enduring place within Virginia's history and future. The Office's responsibilities are deeply connected to the fundamental operations of representative government, including the appointment and commissioning of public officials, the preservation and authentication of official records, the administration of executive clemency and restoration of rights processes, and the execution of other consequential governmental functions.
These responsibilities extend beyond the priorities of any single administration. They represent a continuing obligation to preserve the institutional integrity, legal authority, historical continuity, and public accountability of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Position Summary
The Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth serves as the principal deputy, senior strategic advisor, and chief operational officer to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Operating in a capacity comparable to a Chief of Staff, the Deputy Secretary 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 in managing complex administrative, policy, personnel, and intergovernmental matters. The position serves as a primary point of coordination between the Secretary, office leadership, the Governor's Office, executive branch agencies, legislative stakeholders, and external partners.
The position also carries a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the institutional integrity and continuity of an Office entrusted with functions essential to Virginia's constitutional system.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Executive Leadership
• Serve as the Secretary's principal advisor and trusted executive partner on strategic, operational, administrative, and organizational matters.
• Function as the Office's Chief of Staff, providing executive-level oversight of daily operations, staff performance, organizational priorities, and internal decision-making.
• Manage the flow of information, recommendations, and decisions to the Secretary.
• Ensure that executive decisions and operational practices uphold the Office's institutional responsibilities and public trust.
2. Office Management and Organizational Operations
• Direct and coordinate the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• Establish and maintain effective organizational structures, internal procedures, workflow systems, and management practices.
• Ensure effective coordination among office divisions, program areas, and administrative functions.
3. Personnel Management and Staff Leadership
• Provide direct supervision and management of senior staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations, reporting relationships, accountability measures, and professional standards.
• Oversee staff assignments, workload distribution, organizational capacity, and resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, inclusive, and results-oriented workplace culture.
• Cultivate an organizational culture that recognizes the historical, constitutional, and public service significance of the Office's work.
4. Strategic Planning, Project Management, and Accountability
• Lead the development and implementation of the Office's strategic and annual operational plans.
• Establish clear priorities, project timelines, performance benchmarks, and accountability systems.
• Oversee major initiatives, special projects, and cross-functional assignments directed by the Secretary.
5. Management of the Secretary's Priorities
• Serve as the primary internal coordinator of the Secretary's executive priorities, commitments, and strategic initiatives.
• Work closely with executive support staff to ensure the Secretary's schedule, briefing materials, meetings, and engagements align with established priorities.
• Review and prioritize requests for the Secretary's participation, decisions, and involvement.
6. External Relations
• Serve as a senior liaison between the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and 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 members of the General Assembly, constitutional officers, local governments, and community stakeholders.
• Represent the Office in interagency meetings, working groups, and strategic discussions as authorized.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful candidate must demonstrate:
• Exceptional executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proven 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 the ability to navigate sensitive governmental matters.
• Demonstrated ability to translate executive priorities into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive briefings and represent 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.
• Demonstrated 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.

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, political science, business administration, law, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Experience serving as a Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretary, senior agency executive, legislative director, or comparable senior leadership position.
• Experience working 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.
Position Distinction
The Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth is not solely a policy advisory or ceremonial deputy position. It is an executive management position with substantial Chief of Staff responsibilities and a responsibility for institutional stewardship.
The position combines four essential leadership functions:
Principal Deputy: Serving as the Secretary's second-in-command, senior advisor, and designated representative.
Chief of Staff: Managing personnel, daily operations, internal coordination, executive priorities, and organizational accountability.
Chief Operating Executive: Ensuring the effective administration, performance, and continuous improvement of the Office's programs and services.
Institutional Steward: Safeguarding the integrity, continuity, and proper administration of governmental functions that support Virginia's constitutional framework and enduring public institutions.
Through these combined responsibilities, the Deputy Secretary provides the leadership infrastructure necessary for the Secretary of the Commonwealth to fulfill the Office's statutory duties, advance the Governor's priorities, preserve institutional integrity, and deliver effective service to the people of Virginia.

Special Instructions

This is an At-Will position appointed by the Governor and the chosen candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint background check. There is no teleworking in this position.

Contact Information

Name: Secretary of Commonwealth

Phone: 804-786-2441

Email: SOC@governor.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 09 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 30 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend