Senior Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

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

The Mayor’s Office of Policy Planning and Delivery (OPPD) is a diverse and nimble team charged with planning and coordinating the implementation of policy initiatives that support Mayor Parker’s top priorities, as determined by the Mayor and her cabinet.

OPPD’s approach and core responsibilities are organized into two areas of work direct OPPD support for projects and institutionalizing a citywide approach to policy change.

The former makes up the majority of the OPPD portfolio and is comprised of several levels of engagement : (1) high-dose and intensive delivery support for high-priority Mayoral initiatives;

2) lighter-touch strategic support for change management efforts; and (3) initial problem-structuring, research support, and advising for new policy initiatives.

Initial projects within this portfolio include :

• Working with the Commerce Department to drive a new PHL Open for Business initiative to streamline the various regulatory steps.
• Supporting a new service improvement process focused on city services provided to residents in collaboration with various City operating departments.

OPPD’s long-term charge is to institutionalize a lasting approach to how City personnel contemplate, plan for, and execute policy change the underlying principle being that whether a given program or service can deliver the desired outcome is essential.

Job Description

Reporting to the Deputy Directors or the Director, the Senior Project Manager’s work portfolio will involve balancing multiple projects with intensive research, planning, and implementation components.

In many cases, the Senior Project Manager will need to research, analyze, and develop a project plan in conjunction with OPPD staff and other departmental or external stakeholders.

The topical areas, resources, timelines, and other conditions may vary substantially across projects, requiring the Project Manager to be nimble and focused on forging constructive paths to advance a given project.

In addition to research, planning, and project implementation, the Senior Project Manager will need to collaborate closely with City colleagues and external partners, necessitating strong, trusting relationships and objective, reasoned project feedback and direction.

You will demonstrate exceptional leadership and communication skills, facilitating clear and effective coordination among diverse teams and stakeholders.

The ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, anticipate potential challenges, and proactively develop strategic solutions will be critical.

This role demands a high level of adaptability and resilience, rapid learning and adjusting from past experiences and lessons.

The role is responsible for ensuring that projects remain aligned with organizational goals and deliver optimal outcomes.

Essential Functions

• Support the overall OPPD workflow including the prioritization of projects, establishment of project structures, and planning and facilitation of project working sessions.
• Develop and lead complex project plans in coordination with OPPD staff and across City departments that involve significant budgetary, legal, personnel, and other factors.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and communicate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Monitor project progress and performance, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to stakeholders and executive management.
• Support or lead, depending on the engagement, a team of departmental and external stakeholders through a project, while identifying and navigating barriers to the desired project outcome and timeline.
• Special projects as assigned by the Mayor’s Chief of Staff.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships across City operating departments and external partners to support policy implementation projects.
• Incorporate the regular use of data analysis, dashboards and other analytical tools and methods in defining problems, developing project plans, and evaluating progress and outcomes.
• Assist with project research, planning, and management across the OPPD portfolio as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge :

• Robust analytical skills and ability to use data-driven insights to guide project development, inform problem-solving, program evaluation, and performance management.
• Experienced in developing and managing multiple projects, with a demonstrated ability to rework an approach based on unforeseen challenges, work well under pressure, and set / meet reasonable deadlines.
• Committed to enhancing the City’s systems, processes, practices, and organizational culture to advance equitable outcomes for residents.
• Strong knowledge of and relevant experience applying change management / process improvement approaches and tools.
• Regulatory environments related to municipal government.

Skills :

• Ability to synthesize multiple sources of information and translate findings into understandable recommendations and actionable pathways to pursue solutions.
• Strong leadership abilities, highly collaborative, and team-oriented.
• Driven by thoughtful, quality, and detail-oriented processes, project output, and client / team interactions.
• Working on multiple complex projects.
• Robust analytical skills and ability to use data-driven insights to guide project development, inform problem-solving, program evaluation, and performance management.
• Skill in seeing opportunities, navigating barriers, being self-directed, and problem-solving solutions that enhance the City’s deliverables, processes, and practices
• Strong leadership skills.

Abilities :

• Ability to see opportunities, navigate barriers, be self-directed, and problem-solve solutions that enhance the City’s deliverables, processes, and practices.
• Ability to work with a variety of people and personalities, listen and ask questions to identify new inquiry opportunities, and cultivate strong relationships to ensure seamless collaboration and continued project support.
• Rapid learning and adjusting from past experiences and lessons will be central to this work.
• Ability to rework an approach based on unforeseen challenges, work well under pressure, and set / meet reasonable deadlines.
• Ability to synthesize multiple sources of information and translate findings into understandable recommendations and actionable pathways to pursue solutions.
• Ability to work with a variety of people and personalities, listen and ask questions to identify new inquiry opportunities, and cultivate strong relationships to ensure seamless collaboration and continued project support.
• Committed to enhancing the City’s systems, processes, practices, and organizational culture to advance equitable outcomes for residents.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree from an accredited university, preferably in public policy, psychology, sociology, political science, statistics, economics, urban planning, law, business administration, public administration or another field of relevance to local government or similar.
• At least 6-8 years of position-relevant, full-time work experience with a proven track record of managing large-scale projects.
• At least 4 years of experience managing complex projects, particularly those that require collaboration across different groups or teams.

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

Additional Information

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

Salary Range : $90,000 - $105,000

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 6 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