Licensing Director

Title: Licensing Director

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $114,081 - $131,193, commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website: https://cca.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G/This position is contingent upon the approval of pending legislative actions.

 

 

Job Duties

The Director of Licensing provides strategic and operational leadership for all cannabis licensing functions within the Cannabis Control Authority. This role ensures licensing processes are fair, transparent, timely, and compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements. The Director oversees workflow management, policy development, staff leadership, and continuous improvement of licensing systems to support public safety and regulatory effectiveness.

Licensing Operations Management
• Oversee end to end licensing activities, including application intake, review, approval, renewal, and modification.
• Develop and maintain efficient workflows, service standards, and performance metrics for high volume, deadline driven regulatory operations.
• Ensure licensing decisions are consistent, accurate, and legally defensible.
• Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and equity.

Regulatory Interpretation and Compliance Oversight
• Interpret cannabis statutes, administrative rules, and regulatory frameworks and apply them to complex licensing scenarios.
• Identify potential compliance risks in licensing applications and coordinate with compliance and enforcement divisions as needed.
• Ensure licensing operations align with evolving laws, regulations, and agency guidance.
Policy Development and Program Improvement
• Develop, revise, and implement licensing policies, procedures, and guidance materials.
• Evaluate program performance and lead efforts to improve transparency, consistency, and customer service.
• Oversee modernization initiatives, including the development and enhancement of digital licensing platforms and systems.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
• Communicate clearly with applicants, licensees, legislators, community representatives, and industry stakeholders.
• Provide guidance on licensing requirements, regulatory expectations, and process timelines.
• Respond professionally to sensitive, complex, or high-profile inquiries.
Leadership, Team Development, and Cross Agency Collaboration
• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of licensing professionals.
• Implement performance management practices that support accountability, service quality, and professional growth.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, enforcement, finance, IT, and other divisions to ensure coordinated regulatory oversight.

Strategic Planning and Risk Management
• Anticipate emerging regulatory trends and operational challenges in a rapidly evolving cannabis industry.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to licensing integrity, fraud prevention, and public safety.
• Develop long term strategies to support responsible industry growth, regulatory effectiveness, and agency priorities.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Cannabis laws, administrative rules, and regulatory frameworks.
• Licensing systems, public-sector workflows, and administrative procedures.
• Principles of public administration, program management, and regulatory compliance.
• Equity considerations in licensing and public policy.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage complex caseloads and competing priorities.
• Proficiency with digital licensing systems and data management tools.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations to real-world scenarios.
• Lead teams in a fast paced, high visibility regulatory environment.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Build trust with stakeholders and represent the agency professionally.
• Promote fairness, transparency, and consistency in licensing decisions.

Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, legal studies, regulatory affairs, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Significant exp