Director of Performance and Innovation

Title: Director of Performance and Innovation

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: Commensurate up to $140,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: VEC CENTRAL OFFICE

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Are you a data-driven strategist with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement? The Virginia Employment Commission is seeking a visionary Director of Performance and Innovation to lead enterprise-wide efforts that enhance performance, streamline operations, and drive measurable results. This is a high-impact role for a collaborative leader who thrives at the intersection of analytics, technology, and organizational change. You'll work directly with executive leadership to identify performance gaps, implement innovative solutions, and manage cross-functional projects that improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

The Director of Performance and Innovation leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of continuous improvement initiatives across the Virginia Employment Commission. This role uses data analytics, strategic planning, and process improvement methodologies to identify opportunities, solve business challenges, and support agency-wide innovation. The position also serves as a subject matter expert in SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and dashboard development, integrating these tools into daily operations to enhance collaboration and performance. If you're ready to shape the future of the VEC's services in Virginia through insight, strategy, and innovation, we invite you to join our mission

Key Responsibilities:

Performance Analytics: Collect, analyze, and report on agency-wide performance data to inform strategic decisions and identify improvement opportunities.

Innovation Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and innovative solutions that enhance service delivery.

Project Management: Manage complex projects from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with agency goals and timely delivery of outcomes.

Technology Integration: Serve as SME for SharePoint and Teams; develop dashboards and tools to support collaboration and performance tracking.

Strategic Planning: Support the development and implementation of the agency's strategic management plan and performance metrics.

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external partners to benchmark best practices, influence policy, and promote agency initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of industry best practices; quality assurance techniques; strategic management strategy; data analysis tools and methodologies; and process improvement principles, practices, and/or techniques.
• Strong leadership, strategic management, long-term planning, oral and written communication, presentation, problem-solving, team building, facilitation, and computer skills (e.g., MS Office or related software).
• Ability to apply analytics and recommend technological alternatives to resolve problems; approach challenges creatively and strategically; articulate complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders; lead cross-functional teams and collaborate across departments; collect, analyze, and report data; evaluate existing operations and recommend strategic change initiatives; prepare plans and reports; manage teams and projects; conduct training; and make formal presentations.

Note: This position requires the completion of a Statement of Economic Interest (SOEI) form and mandatory training on the Conflict of Interest Act (COIA). The SOEI form must be submitted online no later than the end of the first day in the new position, and subsequently thereafter each year during the annual filing period (January 1 to February 1). You should receive an email notification from the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council regarding this process along with instructions on how to access the system. The COIA training must be completed within 2 months of assuming the new position, and every 2 years thereafter.

Additional Considerations

• Proficiency in MS SharePoint and Teams, with a strong understanding of how to use these tools for collaboration, document management, and team communication.
• Project Management (e.g., PMP), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or similar certifications.
• Knowledge of unemployment programs and workforce development services, and applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience using Power BI.
• Executive level experience working in the public sector and/or claims processing or workforce development setting.

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.

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.

The VEC Is 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.
• 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 RMS / 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: 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

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.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer