Project 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

Within the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) is responsible for shaping the Department’s long-term vision, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness. A core focus is ensuring that strategic initiatives are data-driven, transparent, and designed to build public trust while addressing evolving public safety challenges.
 
To support this work, the OSP is establishing a Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO), which will:

• Drive successful execution of the strategic plan
• Build organizational planning and implementation capacity
• Institutionalize organizational and policy change

The PMDO will be a diverse, agile team tasked with planning and coordinating the implementation of strategic and policy initiatives aligned with the Department’s strategic plan and top priorities, as identified by the Police Commissioner. Its portfolio will include:

• Intensive project management and delivery support for high-priority initiatives
• Strategic support for broader change management efforts
• Research, problem-structuring, and advising on new policy initiatives

This is an exciting time to join the team. The PMDO represents a new and transformative effort to embed lasting systems that enable the PPD to implement, manage, and sustain change more effectively. Team members will help shape a model for how large public sector organizations build planning and delivery capacity from the ground up.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director and Director of Strategic Planning, the Project Manager will lead multiple projects involving research, planning, and implementation. They will collaborate with PPD leadership, staff, City departments, and external stakeholders to develop and deliver high-impact project plans. Projects will vary in scope, complexity, and timelines—requiring adaptability, strong communication, and strategic problem-solving skills.
 
The Project Manager will build strong relationships across teams, anticipate challenges, develop solutions, and ensure all projects align with organizational goals and achieve intended outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Execution

• Define project scopes, objectives, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with leadership
• Develop comprehensive project plans that address budgetary, legal, personnel, and operational considerations
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timely, high-quality execution
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies
• Manage project closure processes, including documentation and stakeholder sign-off

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Build systems for implementation tracking and performance monitoring
• Incorporate data analysis and dashboards into project development and evaluation
• Conduct project evaluations to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
• Implement quality control measures throughout the project lifecycle
• Document project activities, including progress reports and final deliverables
• Prepare and present regular updates to leadership

Change Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support broader change management and organizational development efforts
• Facilitate working sessions and promote cross-team collaboration
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Promote the institutionalization of best practices across teams
• Support adoption of new systems, tools, and processes

Other Duties

• Manage special projects assigned by the Executive Director or Police Commissioner

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)
• Expertise in change management, process improvement, and organizational development
• Familiarity with public sector budgeting, finance, and regulatory compliance
• Experience with data-driven decision-making, performance management, and evaluation
• Strategic communications and stakeholder engagement strategies

Skills:

• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
• Analytical thinking and the ability to translate complex information into actionable plans
• Skilled in business process analysis and requirements gathering
• Budget management and resource negotiation experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office Suite, and related tools

Preferred Domain Expertise:

• IT Projects: Technology deployment, system upgrades, cybersecurity, Agile/Scrum
• Finance Projects: Financial modeling, grants management, policy development
• Communications Projects: Strategic messaging, content creation, brand management
• Talent Projects: Organizational development, training program design and facilitation

Abilities:

• Navigate complex, ambiguous environments with flexibility
• Build trust and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Solve problems proactively and adjust approaches as needed
• Communicate effectively across audiences
• Commit to advancing equity through improved systems, policies, and culture

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, sociology, public administration, urban planning, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or Scrum Master certification preferred
• 3–5 years of relevant full-time work experience, including cross-functional project leadership

Any combination of education, experience, or certifications may be considered.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, references, and two work product samples (ideally, one prepared for an internal audience and one for an external audience).

Salary Range: $72,000 to $90,000

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