Assistant Commissioner for Legal & Legislative Affairs

Title: Assistant Commissioner for Legal & Legislative Affairs

State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III

Hiring Range: $140,000-$161,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Department of Motor Vehicles

Location: LEGAL SERVICES

Agency Website: www.dmv.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Shape the laws and policies that guide how Virginia moves

DMV touches the lives of nearly every Virginian, from issuing driver’s licenses and titling vehicles to regulating motor carriers and dealers. Every one of those programs operates within a framework of state and federal law that is constantly changing, closely watched by the General Assembly, and central to protecting the privacy and identity of the people we serve.

Keeping that framework sound requires a leader who can translate complex law into clear guidance, represent the agency with credibility before legislators, and make sure DMV’s decisions are fair, consistent, and defensible.

That leader could be you. As Assistant Commissioner for Legal & Legislative Affairs, you’ll serve as a member of DMV’s executive team, reporting directly to the Commissioner. You’ll direct the agency’s legal affairs, legislative program, regulatory process, and Hearings Office, and serve as DMV’s primary liaison to the Office of the Attorney General and its lead voice on legislative matters before the General Assembly, the Secretary of Transportation, the Governor’s Office, and partners across the country. Your work will reach every DMV administration and influence how motor vehicle law is applied across the Commonwealth.

What you’ll do

• Legal guidance and Attorney General liaison: Partner with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues and litigation, and advise agency leaders on tort claims, FOIA, privacy and information protection, information security, personnel matters, legal presence, and conflict of interest issues. Direct research on complex matters such as driver and commercial driver licensing, DUI law, and vehicle titling and registration.
• Legislative affairs: Lead DMV’s legislative program, represent the agency during General Assembly session and at committee and subcommittee meetings, direct analysis of proposed legislation, and draft agency legislative proposals.
• Intergovernmental relations: Build and maintain working relationships with other states, state agencies, the international transportation community, the Governor’s Office, and the Secretary of Transportation, and complete assignments for those offices.
• Regulatory process and policy: Administer the agency’s Virginia Administrative Process Act functions and direct the drafting, review, and promulgation of regulations and guidelines.
• Hearings Office: Oversee formal and informal hearings in driver licensing, vehicle titling and registration, motor carrier, and commercial driver training school matters, and ensure decisions are consistent with law and agency policy.
• Contracts and franchise affairs: Manage Franchise Dealer/Manufacturer Affairs, including licensing issues and dispute resolution, and draft, review, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, bonds, and interstate agreements.
• People leadership: Develop a high-performing team of professionals through clear direction, coaching, and meaningful performance management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience supervising and developing professional staff, including performance management
• Knowledge of legal research methods and statutory and regulatory interpretation sufficient to analyze complex and sensitive legal and policy issues
• Knowledge of administrative law, including rulemaking and administrative hearing processes
• Experience analyzing proposed legislation and drafting legislative proposals
• Experience overseeing administrative hearings, adjudication, or dispute resolution processes, including drafting decisions
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other agreements

Additional Considerations

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Active membership in good standing with a state bar.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: DMV Employment

Phone: (804) 367-0528

Email: employment@dmv.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: 13 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 27 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend