Director of Strategic Planning - Police

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Planning plays a critical role in translating the Philadelphia Police Department’s strategic vision into action—ensuring that new five-year strategic plan and aligned major initiatives are coordinated, implemented effectively, and deliver measurable improvements in public safety and organizational performance. The Project Management and Delivery Office serves as the Department’s central function for coordinating, managing, and tracking the strategies including in the new five-year strategic plan and aligned major initiatives. The office supports leadership by ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans, implemented effectively, and monitored for measurable outcomes. Working closely with Department leadership, City partners, and external stakeholders, the Director will guide implementation of the Department’s strategic plan, coordinate complex cross-departmental initiatives, and ensure projects are delivered effectively and aligned with organizational goals. This role requires strong strategic leadership, operational management, and the ability to guide complex organizational change within a large public safety organization.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning, program management, and organizational change
• Strong understanding of project and portfolio management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)
• Experience establishing or managing a Project Management Office (PMO/PMDO) or enterprise project delivery function
• Experience with performance management systems, evaluation frameworks, and data-driven decision-making
• Familiarity with public sector budgeting, policy development, and regulatory compliance
• Strategic communications and stakeholder engagement practices
• Strategic leadership and organizational problem-solving
• Strong team leadership, coaching, and management skills
• Ability to translate complex operational and policy challenges into actionable initiatives
• Portfolio management and prioritization of competing initiatives
• Strong facilitation, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office Suite, and related project management tools
• Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, Juris Doctor, or a related field required.
• 7–10 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of growing teams and complex cross-functional initiatives
• Experience supervising project managers or managing a project management office strongly preferred
• Experience working in government, public safety, or large public sector organizations preferred
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or related certification preferred
• Financial and Policy Initiatives: Budget strategy, grants management, policy development
• Communications Initiatives: Strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, public communication
• Talent and Organizational Development: Workforce development, leadership development, training programs
• Technology and Data Initiatives: Technology implementation, system modernization, cybersecurity, Agile/Scrum

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and associated priority initiatives
• Translate strategic goals into actionable implementation plans with defined milestones, timelines, and performance measures
• Coordinate implementation across operational and administrative units to ensure alignment with Department priorities
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, operational performance, and service delivery
• Advise executive leadership on implementation strategies, policy considerations, and emerging challenges
• Lead and oversee the Department’s Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO)
• Supervise and provide leadership to the Department’s project management team
• Establish and maintain project management standards, governance structures, and implementation frameworks across the Department
• Develop and manage the Department’s portfolio of strategic initiatives and major projects
• Prioritize initiatives and allocate project management resources to support Department priorities
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with operational and strategic objectives
• Provide executive oversight for complex, cross-functional initiatives that support implementation of the strategic plan
• Coordinate work across Department units, City departments, and external partners
• Identify implementation risks, resolve barriers, and guide teams in developing mitigation strategies
• Support Department leadership in launching and advancing major initiatives tied to public safety priorities
• Provide guidance and mentorship to project managers overseeing major initiatives
• Develop systems to track implementation progress and measure outcomes across strategic initiatives
• Use data analysis, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor progress and identify improvement opportunities
• Conduct program and project evaluations to assess effectiveness and inform decision-making
• Ensure consistent reporting on initiative progress to Department leadership
• Prepare executive briefings, reports, and presentations on strategic plan implementation
• Lead cross-department collaboration to support implementation of major initiatives
• Facilitate strategic planning sessions, implementation workshops, and working groups
• Support organizational change management efforts related to new programs, systems, and policies
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance shared goals
• Promote adoption of best practices and continuous improvement across the Department
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Executive Director on strategic planning and implementation priorities
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for project management staff
• Support the development of policies, processes, and tools that strengthen project delivery and organizational effectiveness
• Lead special initiatives and assignments from the Executive Director or Police Commissioner

Benefits

• City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 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
• As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• 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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director