Deputy Director for Institutions: Central Administration #DOC00201

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Radford, VA

4d•$160,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Deputy Director for Institutions at One of the Nation’s Most Respected Correctional Systems! The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is seeking an accomplished and principled executive leader to serve as Deputy Director for Institutions. The Commonwealth of Virginia is a wonderful place to live and work. Virginia has a strong economy and is rich in American history, geographic beauty, and culture. Our population of nearly 9 million diverse residents have access to all four seasons and can reach beaches, cities, small towns, suburbs, mountains, and rural farmland within just a few hours. Virginia’s eastern edge borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay and provides coastal living and recreation. Moving west across the state, the landscape transforms to the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains which provides outdoor recreation such as camping, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. The Deputy Director for Institutions position offers a rare opportunity to help shape the future of corrections within one of the nation’s most respected correctional systems. The Virginia Department of Corrections is responsible for the custody and care of incarcerated individuals across the Commonwealth and holds the lowest recidivism rates in the United States at 17.6 percent. This position serves as a member of the Director’s senior leadership team and reports to the Chief Deputy Director; and provides executive leadership for 38 correctional facilities and thousands of correctional professionals across Virginia. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, secure, and professionally operated institutions while advancing modern correctional practices that strengthen public safety, accountability, and rehabilitation outcomes. VADOC is entering a new era of leadership focused on professionalism, ethical leadership, operational excellence, and support for the employees who carry out the Department’s public safety mission every day. The successful candidate will be a strategic and disciplined leader capable of guiding complex institutional operations while strengthening a culture of integrity, accountability, and professionalism throughout the organization. This is an opportunity for an experienced correctional executive to make a meaningful impact on public safety, organizational culture, and the future of correctional leadership in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Organizational Scope The Deputy Director for Institutions oversees the operations of correctional facilities across the Commonwealth and is responsible for: • Oversight of 38 correctional facilities statewide • Leadership of thousands of correctional professionals • Custody and supervision of a large, incarcerated population across multiple security levels • Institutional safety, security, and operational performance • Implementation of correctional policies, standards, and operational practices • Collaboration with community supervision partners to support successful reentry The Deputy Director for Institutions serves as a key member of the Department’s executive leadership team, working in close partnership with fellow Deputy Directors responsible for: • Community Corrections • Health Services • Reentry, Education, and Programs • Administration • Professional Standards Together, these leaders collaborate to ensure a coordinated, statewide approach to public safety, operational excellence, staff support, and successful reentry outcomes across the Commonwealth.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of correctional operations, including facility management, security practices, and institutional safety protocols.
Demonstrated executive leadership experience in a large and complex correctional, public safety, or governmental organization.
Proven ability to lead large operational teams and oversee multiple 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 with 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 (COI) filing within two (2) business days of hire and annually thereafter, in accordance with the Code of Virginia § 2.2-3100.
Ability to complete COI training within two (2) 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.
Experience leading large correctional systems or multi-facility institutional operations.
Demonstrated experience advancing operational improvements and organizational culture within correctional environments.
Note: Position may be eligible for moving and relocation expenses, subject to all Commonwealth accounting and procurement requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for statewide institutional operations.
Ensure safe, secure, and professionally operated correctional facilities across the Commonwealth.
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 closely with fellow Deputy Directors and executive leadership to ensure alignment across institutional operations, 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.