Government Seeks New Financial Secretary
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially opened recruitment for the position of Financial Secretary as incumbent Jeremiah Frett prepares to step down. The post offers a base salary of $126,373 per year alongside executive allowances and benefits. Applications for the senior Ministry of Finance role will remain open through November 2, 2026.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially launched recruitment for a new Financial Secretary to lead the Ministry of Finance, advertising the post with an annual base salary of $126,373 plus executive benefits. The move signals an imminent transition at the helm of the Territory's primary financial institution, as current Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett prepares for his departure.
The recruitment notice outlines a comprehensive compensation package that includes telecommunications and entertainment allowances, an assigned Government vehicle, and gratuity eligibility for contractual hires. Applications are scheduled to close on November 2, 2026. Frett’s tenure as Financial Secretary follows a distinguished career in the public service spanning nearly three decades.
After entering the service in 1997, he held several key posts across the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Ministry of Finance, including Accounts Manager, Finance and Planning Officer, Policy Analyst, and Budget Coordinator. He began acting as Financial Secretary in January 2021, succeeding Glenroy Forbes, before his formal confirmation in August 2022.
During his time leading the ministry, Frett played a pivotal role in shaping government fiscal policy and managing national budgets. Natalio Wheatley previously commended the Ministry of Finance under Frett’s stewardship for delivering the largest budget in the Territory's history and securing the Virgin Islands' first investment-grade credit rating.
The job advertisement follows months of public speculation regarding Frett’s anticipated retirement. While internal discussions were acknowledged earlier this year, the official vacancy listing represents the clearest sign to date that the Government is actively moving forward to identify a successor.
The incoming Financial Secretary will take over the portfolio at a vital juncture for the Virgin Islands economy. The role carries core responsibility for overall economic planning, government revenue collection, public debt management, and fiscal reporting. The next appointee will be tasked with guiding public spending priorities, managing investments, and maintaining fiscal stability across the Territory.
Primary source: Guavaberry