Deputy Executive Director of Policy and Programs - City of Philadelphia

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 Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians share in the city’s prosperous future and by alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families, and communities.  CEO is Philadelphia’s Community Action Agency (CAA); CAAs are private or public agencies created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and federally designated to receive Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding.

Guiding Principles (We believe…)

• The people of Philadelphia deserve the opportunity to live happy, healthy, full lives. 
• City Government should both recognize its culpability in creating and sustaining inequity and aspire to its responsibility to provide opportunities, represent the best interests, and promote the well-being of all residents. 
• People can offer meaningful insights into both personal experiences and how systems around them function. 
• Poverty is a deliberately created systemic issue and city government can lead in calling for justice and dismantling the barriers that often prevent opportunities. 

Values (How we work)

• Dignity: We actively respect our individual colleagues and people in the community.
• Inclusivity: Our work is more beneficial, valuable, and valid when our full range of experiences, knowledge, and skills can contribute.
• Persistence: We recognize the challenges inherent in this work, and when we get discouraged, we find ways to be resilient, lift each other up, and push forward.
• Accountability: We are transparent and honest about our plans, our actions, and our results.
• Honesty: We create a space to have healthy, honest dialogues about systems, people, and misconceptions and then communicate truthfully.

This position will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the Policy & Programs Unit within CEO serving as the department’s leader in advocating at the program, operational, and systems level for solutions for mobility out of poverty. This position will supervise Directors and Managers within the unit and programmatic activities therein including all CEO Work Ready and CSBG investments of approximately $25M annually as well as city-funded and AmeriCorps programs. Leadership portfolio includes:

Policy: Build and advance the Agency’s ability to create a bold and progressive advocacy agenda that keeps the needs of Philadelphians at the center of how we prioritize our work.

Economic Mobility: Responsible for advancing the Economic Justice efforts of CEO, CEO’s core activities in this area, and leading staff building and implementing programming, affecting policy, building coalitions, supporting interventions that addresses barriers and asset building.

Basic Needs: Providing direction and strategic leadership for CEO’s Basic Need initiatives through CSBG-funded programs and grantmaking, through city-initiated programming, and through CEO’s AmeriCorps programs.

Research & Evaluation: Oversee the strategic positioning of research & evaluation into CEO’s program and policy work to inform advocacy efforts, build a data-driven culture, and foster accountability toward our goal of advancing economic mobility within Philadelphia.

This position is part of the executive team and as such is responsible for leading the organization towards successful completion of the organizational goals. In addition, supporting and encouraging participation in a positive workforce culture and collaborative environment through management of five directors and a full division of approximately 25 staff members.

Essential Functions

• Exceptional leadership skills and ability to set vision and drive positive collaboration through a division of work and across functions.
• Ability to lead and manage large grant portfolios, develop, and lead staff in collaborating across policy, program, and data to implementing practices that effectively measure, evaluate, and drive opportunity for system change.
• Manage the CSBG Program grant ($6 million) and Work Ready Program grant ($18 million), including overseeing grantmaking activities and data and research teams in grant reporting requirements and collaborating with Operations division for contracting.
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of government and with external partner agencies to establish consensus.
• Familiarity with current research and best practices related to basic needs, prevention, and economic mobility policies and programs.
• Lead teams in building processes, working toward team and organizational goals, and advancing a positive work culture.
• Ability to translate data and research findings for practitioners.
• Passion for collaborating with program leaders, community organizations, and advocates to create systems change.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions.
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in leading teams at a mission-driven nonprofit or government organization.
• Knowledge of the history and mission of Community Action Agencies.
• Prior leadership experience in citywide programs or policy initiatives is required.
• Deep background knowledge about the history of neighborhoods in Philadelphia preferred.
• Deep familiarity with federal and state resources and policies in the areas of Employment & Training, TANF, CSBG, CTC, and other policies and programs connected to basic needs and economic mobility
• Understands the operational and political structure of the public and the non-profit ecosystem in Philadelphia
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders, both internal and external
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills: ability to raise funds
• Strong program design and program management skills

• Four (4) year college degree required
• Master’s degree preferred
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and exercise the authority of the position with sound judgment
• Previous work in non-profit or public sector is required
• Strong research, evaluation, or policy background is a plus
• 7+ years of progressive management experience required

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises a team of five directors; full division of 25 staff

Other Specialties, Certifications, Physical Requirements, and Work Conditions

• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

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

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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

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