Senior Project Manager

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 Philadelphia is dedicated to serving the residents of the City by promoting equity, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all communities. Committed to transparency, integrity, and accountability, we work collaboratively with city departments, agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges facing our City and to create opportunities for shared prosperity and success.

The Mayor’s Office hopes to continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. The City of Philadelphia aspires to be a model of effective governance, innovation, and social progress, where government works in partnership with the community to create positive change and achieve meaningful results.

The Mayor’s Office focuses on the following main initiatives:

• Public Safety
• Clean and Green
• Housing
• Economic Opportunity
• Education
• Roundtables (business, faith-based, and intergovernmental)

Job Description

Position Summary

 The Senior Project Manager in the Mayor’s Office is a key role responsible for advancing high-impact initiatives and strategic projects that align with the Mayor’s vision for the City of Philadelphia. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, this position serves as a central liaison between the Mayor’s Office and City departments, facilitating cross-agency coordination, ensuring accountability, and driving progress on critical initiatives.

The Senior Project Manager works closely with Department Heads, Commissioners, and senior leadership to monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The role requires strong political acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead projects that promote equity, efficiency, and measurable outcomes for residents.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a strategic liaison between the Mayor’s Office and City departments to align on timelines, deliverables, and priorities for key citywide initiatives.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Heads, Commissioners, and other senior stakeholders to ensure cross-functional coordination and policy alignment.
• Manage high-priority, cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, ensuring they are executed on time, within scope, and in accordance with the Mayor’s vision and strategic goals.
• Anticipate political, operational, and community-related risks or barriers, and proactively propose solutions to address challenges and maintain momentum.
• Lead and facilitate planning sessions, project check-ins, and decision-making meetings with senior stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Track project milestones, budgets, performance metrics, and risks; escalate issues to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and data-informed briefings, memos, and presentations to the Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Chief Deputy Mayors.
• Represent the Mayor’s Office in high-level meetings, public engagements, and intergovernmental forums, articulating project goals and maintaining strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Draft executive-level materials including talking points, public remarks, and status updates to support the Mayor and senior staff.
• Analyze policies and proposals tied to key initiatives, assessing their feasibility, impacts, and alignment with city goals and recommending improvements where needed.
• Ensure all projects reflect and advance the administration’s commitment to equity, transparency, and operational excellence.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• City government structure, operations, and interagency coordination mechanisms.
• Public policy, urban planning, or public administration principles.
• Project and program management methodologies, including budgeting and evaluation.
• Political and community dynamics that may influence policy implementation.
• Equity and inclusion practices in government systems and service delivery.

Skill in:

• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making in complex, fast-paced environments.
• High-level written and verbal communication, including the preparation of briefing materials and public-facing content.
• Stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and consensus-building across diverse groups.
• Data analysis and performance tracking to inform policy recommendations and reporting.
• Leading cross-functional teams and managing competing priorities under tight deadlines.

Ability to:

• Work collaboratively with senior leadership, elected officials, and external partners.
• Represent the Mayor’s Office with professionalism and discretion in sensitive or high-profile discussions.
• Analyze policy implications and develop innovative, practical solutions to complex challenges.
• Maintain flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic political and operational environment.
• Uphold confidentiality, accountability, and integrity in all aspects of work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of project management experience, preferably in government, public policy, or nonprofit sectors.
• Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute preferred.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: $87,000-$107,000

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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

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