Unemployment Compensation Manager - Benefit Payment Control (Henrico)

Title: Unemployment Compensation Manager - Benefit Payment Control (Henrico)

State Role Title: Prog Admin Manager II

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $95,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Employment Commission

Location: VEC CENTRAL OFFICE

Agency Website: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is seeking an Unemployment Compensation Manager for the Benefit Payment Control Unit who will lead efforts to protect program integrity by preventing, detecting, and recovering improperly received unemployment insurance benefits. This role oversees investigations into compliance, fraud, and abuse; directs staff in completing accurate determinations; audits cases; reviews escalated issues; and provides technical guidance to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and performance standards. The manager contributes to strategic planning, drafts and implements policies and procedures, prepares written investigative reports, represents the agency in hearings, and manages administrative duties while fostering a high‑performing team environment and ensuring clear communication that supports the resolution of complex issues.

Join the VEC and be part of a mission-driven agency dedicated to supporting workers, strengthening communities, and promoting economic stability across the Commonwealth. We administer Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits program with a commitment to providing customer-centered, accessible, inclusive, and impactful services to support our shared mission: lifting up Virginia, one unemployed worker at a time. The VEC is also an integral part of a historic milestone as Virginia becomes the first state in the South to offer Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Our agency will be responsible for standing up and administering this new program, which will expand the vital support we provide for employees when they need it most.

We offer paid leave; a minimum of 13 paid state holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options; retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for classified positions); and are a federally recognized Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

If you’re motivated by public service, continuous improvement, and meaningful work that supports opportunity for all, the VEC is a place where your contributions matter!

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of insurance and benefit laws and regulations, related quality and timeliness performance standards, conflict‑resolution and management practices, investigative techniques, program evaluation and quality assurance methods, rules of evidence and court proceedings, cash‑management principles, and collections activities.
• Demonstrated customer service skills, investigative skills, program management and evaluation skills, leadership skills, oral and written communication skills, and computer skills.
• Experience managing staff, overseeing administrative requirements and programs, and conducting training.
• Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures, interpreting and applying laws and regulations, and recommending strategies to improve performance.
• Experience conducting investigations, collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, making findings‑based recommendations, and providing court testimony as needed.
• Experience offering technical assistance, using automated systems, responding to inquiries, and working tactfully with various parties.
• Possession of a valid VA Driver’s License, as statewide and overnight travel may be required.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with the Virginia Unemployment Act and UI benefit operations; DOL quality and timeliness performance standards and adjudication criteria.
• Management experience working with UI program activities and regulations; investigating claims and handling fraudulent activities, or management experience in a similar insurance-related program.

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.

This position is located within the Central Office in Henrico, VA. This is not a remote-work position.

Submission of an online application is required for this position. The VEC does not accept applications, résumés, cover letters, etc., in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application and/or résumé are complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.

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.

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

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.

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

A valid Virginia Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

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.

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, résumés, 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.