The VA is the second-largest federal department and employs more than 340,000 individuals in a nationwide network of 144 medical centers, 1,203 community-based outpatient clinics, 300 vet centers and 56 regional offices. The VA also oversees a network of cemeteries, 131 of them national and 90 of them state or tribal. The VA administers its work through three major organizations: the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Administration Services. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget for fiscal 2018 is over $185 billion. As chief operating officer, the Deputy Secretary manages staff across the organization, not just those in his or her direct office.
• Oversees the activities of the VA’s executive director, Office of Acquisitions, Logistics and Construction
• Oversees the department’s governance process
• Chairs the department’s Strategic Management Council, Business Oversight Board and Capital Investment Board
• Co-chairs the VA-DOD Senior Oversight Committee
• Executes the President’s and Secretary’s strategic plan for the agency by dealing with the overall operations, managing the individual departments and integrating mission-support functions with program and policy objectives
• Works with peers in other agencies, the Office of Management and Budget, stakeholders (e.g., local or state governments) and Congress, as needed
• Resolves interagency conflict
• Serves as a key advisor to the secretary on all matters pertaining to the agency
• Ensures that the agency’s components are delivering their programs and services with integrity, and in an effective and efficient manner
• Develops and manages complementary internal management processes that coordinate across programs
• Represents the secretary in public and private meetings including dealings with the White House, Congress, state governments and trade groups
• Oversees internal Government Performance and Results Act processes
• Works closely with the Secretary, Chief of Staff and CXOs