Title: Director of Employer Contributions - PFML

State Role Title: Financial Services Manager III

Hiring Range: Commensurate to $160,000

Pay Band: 7

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: VEC CENTRAL OFFICE

Agency Website: www.VEC.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Employer Contributions (PFML) function exists to ensure every Virginia employer can register, report, and pay with confidence, and that the PFML Trust Fund remains solvent so benefits are paid when due.

The Director of Employer Contributions - PFML role is a senior founding leader within Virginia's new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program and collaborates closely with other office directors to safeguard fund solvency and deliver a fair, transparent employer experience. This position sets and executes the operational strategy for PFML's employer contribution framework, building — from the ground up — the team, policies, and processes that ensure premiums are collected accurately, wages are reported completely, and the PFML Trust Fund is funded and defensible from day one.

The Director owns the end-to-end employer contribution lifecycle: employer registration and account management; quarterly wage reporting and premium remittance; accounts receivable (A/R) reconciliation, delinquency, and collections; audit, examination, and compliance; private and voluntary (equivalent) plan review and oversight; and the employer resolution (phone/service) function. The position is directly accountable for readiness to begin collecting contributions on April 1, 2028 and for supporting the annual premium rate-setting cycle (first rate set October 1, 2027, annually thereafter).

The role requires advanced executive judgment in complex regulatory environments and strong financial and operational oversight. This position supervises the Contributions work unit and may require extended hours during launch, quarterly filing, and rate-setting cycles.

Minimum Qualifications

• Contribution & Tax Administration Expertise: Extensive knowledge of employer contribution administration, payroll-tax or premium collection, wage reporting, accounts receivable, and audit within a social insurance, unemployment insurance, or paid-leave context.
• Legal & Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of state and federal statutes and regulations governing premium collection, debt collection, worker classification, and the confidentiality of wage and tax information.
• Leadership & Program Management: Demonstrated ability to lead high-performance teams and to develop and execute short- and long-range strategies that improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Analytical Skills: Strong financial and analytical acumen — able to assess contribution and receivable data, identify trends and fraud indicators, and translate findings into policy and process improvements.
• Stakeholder Management: Skilled in managing relationships with demanding stakeholders in complex, high-stakes environments, including employers, third-party administrators, legislative bodies, and executive leadership.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to represent the Directorate before state officials, legislative committees, and employer audiences.
• Technological Proficiency: Working understanding of how modern technology (employer self-service portals, wage-reporting intake, payment processing) improves compliance and the employer experience.
• Experience building and/or overseeing operations involving tax/premium collection, employer accounts receivable, or audit.
• Track record of data-driven, user-centered improvements to employer-facing processes and training.
• Experience building and/or overseeing operations involving tax/premium collection, employer accounts receivable, or audit.
• Track record of data-driven, user-centered improvements to employer-facing processes and training.

The incumbent must also complete mandatory Statement of Economic Interests forms and Conflict of Interest training. A valid driver’s license is also required, as the job duties may occasionally involve statewide overnight travel.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with a comparable state employer-contributions or unemployment-insurance tax function.
• Familiarity with private/voluntary (equivalent) plan review and third-party administrator/payroll-provider coordination.
• Experience in progressively responsible roles within state government, particularly related to Commonwealth fiscal or tax rules and regulations.
• Experience designing/contributing to organizational structure, staffing plans, and operating procedures for a new program function from the ground up.

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.

Working for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Virginians every day. As the agency responsible for supporting workers, employers, and the statewide labor market, the VEC plays a critical role in strengthening economic stability and fostering workforce resilience. Employees have the opportunity to shape modern public programs, improve service delivery, and contribute to initiatives that directly help individuals and families during life’s pivotal moments. The VEC values innovation, collaboration, and public service, providing a mission-driven environment where leaders can create lasting, positive change for communities across the Commonwealth. If you’re motivated by purpose and committed to excellence, the VEC offers a rewarding and impactful place to grow your career. And working for the Commonwealth has terrific benefits as well! Visit https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits for more information.

The Virginia Employment Commission is committed to upholding our values in our employment opportunities across the Commonwealth to people from all backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, and a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

• The selected candidate must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation and an Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud background check.

• Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and résumés will not be accepted.

• Applications are not accepted after the recruitment closing date.

• Please carefully review the details of this recruitment including the location of the position and the posted salary before applying. VEC does not provide relocation assistance, and no salary will be offered outside of the posted salary range / flat rate.

• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application (and/or resume). You must ensure your application/resume includes the scope of your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to the position you are applying for. Information not stated will not be assumed.

• This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

• For the status of your application and this position, please refer to your PageUp / Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via email or telephone.

• Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.

The VEC does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.

NOTICE: VEC will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: VEC Human Resources / Recruitment

Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.

Email: Careers@vec.virginia.gov for recruitment related questions. Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account.

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.