Title: Deputy Director - Chief of Staff
State Role Title: Gen Admin Manager III
Hiring Range: Commensurate With Experience
Pay Band: 7
Agency: State Council of Higher Educ
Location: St Council of Higher Education
Agency Website: https://www.schev.edu/
Recruitment Type: State Employee Only - E
Job Duties
About the Organization
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is the coordinating body for the nation’s preeminent system of postsecondary education, which includes 15 four-year and 24 two-year public colleges, as well as more than 30 nonprofit and 300 for-profit private schools. SCHEV is responsible for: developing and promoting an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, progressive and coordinated system of higher education; facilitating collaboration among postsecondary institutions that enhances academic quality and operational efficiency; developing and submitting recommendations to the executive and legislative branches on budgetary and policy matters; and providing advisory and/or regulatory guidance to institutions.
In 2014, SCHEV developed The Virginia Plan for Higher Education, a statewide strategic plan. Updated and approved in January 2021, Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education is designed to identify trends that the Commonwealth must address if it is to continue to prosper and succeed. The plan provides a roadmap for Virginia to be the “Best State for Education” by 2030. In order to do so, it will fulfill its mission of advancing equitable, affordable and transformative higher education.
While SCHEV is responsible for management of The Pathways plan, execution relies on collaboration among institutions, K-12, general assembly members and staff, Governor’s staff, and other key stakeholders. Ongoing communications, including progress on the measures and targets, as well as initiatives are critical to meeting the needs of the Commonwealth and its citizens.
SCHEV aspires to be a great place to work. It is an environment of public servants committed to developing an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, progressive and coordinated system of higher education in Virginia. We value honesty, quality, diversity, inclusion, growth-orientation, personal well-being, equity, transparency and accountability. And we seek team players who will advance these values through their work and engagement.
SCHEV’s offices are located in Virginia's capitol city of Richmond. The city is the convergence point of college campuses, the state government seat, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and historical sites. This combination has resulted in a thriving eclectic culture and foodie destination. The growing city juncture is centrally located and less than two hours from the nation’s capital, beautiful beaches and scenic mountains.
About the Position
The Deputy Director will report to the Executive Director, providing executive leadership and supervision of agency operations, including key functions related to the agency’s compliance and performance/accountability activities, strategic initiatives (including the agency’s strategic plan), and acting in the absence of the Agency Executive Director. This position will lead, develop or maintain collaborative relationships with other state agencies and support the development of effective teams within and across state agencies. The Deputy Director will lead process improvement initiatives to improve agency operations and provide continuity of operations across administrations and ensure agency effectiveness.
Minimum Qualifications
•Experience demonstrating the ability to use available data to solve challenges within and across state agencies.
•Considerable experience demonstrating knowledge of state performance management and compliance requirements and schedules.
•Considerable experience and knowledge of the state budget process.
•Prior experience leading teams in a senior leadership or executive position with the Commonwealth of Virginia and a work history of increasing professional responsibility and upward career trajectory.
•Skilled at effectively implementing process improvement initiatives and successfully executing change management efforts within and outside of the agency.
•Considerable experience demonstrating the ability to align team performance with objectives and deliver agency objectives in a timely and efficient manner.
•Considerable experience demonstrating the ability to assess and manage political and organizational dynamics.
•Considerable experience effectively leading and managing teams in a professional and efficient manner.
•Experience demonstrating the ability to communicate clearly with the Agency Executive Director, agency leadership, other agencies, and teams within the agency.
•Skilled at building productive interpersonal relationships and providing appropriately focused, timely updates to help direct reports, agency and secretarial leadership, and other organizational leaders to do their jobs effectively.
•Knowledge of leadership principles and management tools to effectively lead and develop teams.
•Ability to develop and maintain high levels of team morale, performance, and completion of assigned tasks, initiatives and processes.
•Experience demonstrating the ability to develop teams, including coaching and talent development to meet agency needs.
•Experience demonstrating skills at using relevant technology services and solutions in the execution of responsibilities.
Additional Considerations
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.
Cover letter and resume are preferred.
Applicants must apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia Recruitment Management System (RMS). Applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax or in person will not be considered. When applying through RMS, applicants are expected to fully represent their qualifications and work history on the State applications and/or in resumes. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided in the application, resume, or other relevant documents; therefore, applicants must supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application/resume or a state application/resume lacking in detail may impact your interview eligibility. The RMS website will confirm receipt when the application is submitted successfully.
Other Information
State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. You may apply for this position at http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Veterans, people with disabilities, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
SCHEV is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information
Name: Taris Harmon
Phone: 804-292-6482
Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.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.