Director of Strategic Planning - Police

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

2d

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Planning leads implementation of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and aligned major initiatives, ensuring they are coordinated, effectively delivered, and produce measurable improvements in public safety and organizational performance. Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Planning, the Director oversees the Department’s Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO), manages a portfolio of high-impact initiatives, and supervises the project management team.

The PMDO coordinates, manages, and tracks strategies in the Department’s strategic plan and major initiatives. It helps leadership turn priorities into actionable plans, support effective implementation, and monitor measurable outcomes. The Director works with Department leadership, City partners, and external stakeholders to coordinate complex initiatives and guide organizational change within a large public safety organization.

The role also provides executive oversight of cross-functional projects, establishes project delivery standards and governance, develops performance measurement and reporting systems, and advises senior leadership. The successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, Juris Doctor, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of growing teams and complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning, program management, and organizational change.
• Strong understanding of project and portfolio management methodologies, such as Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall.
• Experience with performance management systems, evaluation frameworks, and data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with public sector budgeting, policy development, and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of strategic communications and stakeholder engagement practices.
• Strong strategic leadership and organizational problem-solving skills.
• Strong team leadership, coaching, and management skills.
• Ability to translate complex operational and policy challenges into actionable initiatives.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a portfolio of initiatives across competing operational needs.
• Strong facilitation, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office Suite, and related project management tools.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives within large, multi-layered organizations; build trust and collaboration; navigate ambiguity while maintaining strategic focus and accountability; communicate effectively with executive leadership, operational staff, and external partners; and promote equitable and effective systems, policies, and organizational practices.
• Must become a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or related certification.
• Experience supervising project managers or managing a project management office.
• Experience working in government, public safety, or large public sector organizations.
• Domain expertise in financial and policy initiatives, including budget strategy, grants management, or policy development.
• Domain expertise in communications initiatives, including strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, or public communication.
• Domain expertise in talent and organizational development, including workforce development, leadership development, or training programs.
• Domain expertise in technology and data initiatives, including technology implementation, system modernization, cybersecurity, or Agile/Scrum.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and associated priority initiatives.
• Translate strategic goals into 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, coaching, and professional development for the project management team.
• Establish and maintain project management standards, governance structures, and implementation frameworks.
• Develop and manage the portfolio of strategic initiatives and major projects; prioritize initiatives and allocate project management resources.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with operational and strategic objectives.
• Provide executive oversight for complex, cross-functional initiatives and coordinate work across Department units, City departments, and external partners.
• Identify implementation risks, resolve barriers, and guide teams in developing mitigation strategies.
• Support leadership in launching and advancing major initiatives tied to public safety priorities, and mentor project managers overseeing major initiatives.
• Develop systems to track implementation progress and measure outcomes; use data analysis, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor progress and identify improvement opportunities.
• Conduct program and project evaluations and ensure consistent reporting on initiative progress.
• Prepare executive briefings, reports, and presentations on strategic plan implementation.
• Lead cross-department collaboration and facilitate strategic planning sessions, implementation workshops, and working groups.
• Support organizational change management efforts related to new programs, systems, and policies.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and promote best practices and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Executive Director on strategic planning and implementation priorities.
• Support 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

• Unlimited free public transportation through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Wellness program eligibility for a discounted medical plan.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships through partnerships with area colleges and universities.

What This Job Offers

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