Creative Partnerships Manager

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

Creative Philadelphia (Creative PHL) provides creative and economic opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. We advance public access to arts and culture, collaborate with local creative communities, and celebrate the city’s cultural assets, contributing to a safer, cleaner, and greener city.

Position Summary:

Creative PHL seeks a full-time Creative Partnerships Manager to support its mission to provide equitable access to the arts and opportunities for artists and cultural organizations. The Creative Partnerships Manager builds and manages external relationships with artists, creative entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, funders, and civic partners to foster strategic collaborations that elevate the cultural life of Philadelphia. This role strengthens Creative PHL’s mission to expand equitable access to the arts through creative program development, resource-building, and long-term partnerships. The Manager oversees initiatives that blend community engagement, cultural programming, and cross-sector collaboration, including Philly Celebrates Jazz, and the Illuminate the Arts Grant. In addition, the Manager will collaborate with City departments and agencies to align partnership efforts with broader municipal goals, ensuring that arts and culture are integrated into citywide strategies for community development, public engagement, and equitable resource distribution.

RESPONSIBILITES:

Creative Partnership Development & Strategy

Under the direction of the Chief Cultural Officer and executive director of Creative PHL:

• Identify and cultivate relationships with artists, cultural groups, brands, and civic partners to co-create public-facing cultural programs.
• Develop strategies to expand Creative PHL’s reach and visibility through collaborative campaigns, sponsorships, and co-branded initiatives.
• Prepare partnership pitches, sponsorship decks, and outreach materials for external engagement.

Program Administration & Oversight

Under the direction of the Chief Cultural Officer and executive director of Creative PHL

• Lead program planning and execution for major community-based initiatives such as Philly Jazz Month, and other citywide cultural activations.
• Oversee the administration of the Illuminate the Arts Grant, including application review, grantee support, and program evaluation in coordination with Creative PHL staff and committee members.
• Monitor project budgets, grant spending, contracts, and insurance requirements for sponsored programs and collaborative projects.

Community Engagement & Cultural Access

Under the direction of the Chief Cultural Officer and executive director of Creative PHL:

• Represent Creative PHL at selected events across the city to engage with artists, audiences, and stakeholders.
• Foster relationships with neighborhood-based cultural practitioners and elevate underrepresented creative voices.
• Work closely with communications staff to promote funded programs and partnerships.

Collaboration & Internal Coordination

• Collaborate with other Creative PHL staff across Public Art, Communications, and Exhibition and Programs teams to align partnership efforts with citywide arts and culture strategies.
• Help manage interdepartmental initiatives that integrate arts and culture into broader municipal programs and services.
• Track and report on partnership performance, audience impact, and opportunities for growth.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of Philadelphia’s arts and culture landscape, including grassroots and institutional sectors.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships or collaborative projects in arts, culture, or nonprofit settings.
• Skilled communicator with experience in both professional and community-based settings.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple programs, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships.
• Experienced in contract management, budgeting, and project oversight.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and digital grants platforms is a plus.
• Creative thinker who thrives in collaborative, cross-disciplinary environments.
• Proficiency with Adobe Suite and Microsoft Suite

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, public affairs, marketing, or a related field—OR minimum 5 years work experience required. A minimum of 2-4 years of administration, partnerships, community engagement, or nonprofit programming is required.  Experience in any or all of the following is a plus: administration, programs, strategic planning, or working knowledge of the performing arts. Flexibility and willingness to work on a full range of tasks - from analytical to administrative - is a must.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be a Philadelphia resident. Must have valid driver’s license. Candidate must pass a background check. The position in-person full-time in City Hall, Room 116.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: Position requires a high level of mental concentration and commitment. Position requires travel to Creative PHL events and programs within Philadelphia County.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000

The application deadline is November 24, 2025, 11:59pm. No phone calls please.

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx