Director of Strategic Planning - Police

The City of Philadelphia offers a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and opportunities to grow and excel in a workforce of over 30,000 people across more than 1,000 job categories. As an employer, the City values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work.

About the role

Within the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) shapes the Department’s long-term vision, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness. The OSP is establishing a Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO) to drive the execution of the strategic plan, build organizational planning and implementation capacity, and institutionalize organizational and policy change. The PMDO will be a diverse, agile team tasked with planning and coordinating the implementation of strategic and policy initiatives aligned with the Department’s strategic plan and top priorities. This role leads the implementation of the Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan and oversees the PMDO, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into effective, measurable action across the Department.

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.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, Juris Doctor, or a related field required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or related certification preferred.
• 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.

Skills

• 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.

Preferred Domain Expertise

• 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.

Abilities

• Lead complex initiatives within large, multi-layered organizations.
• Manage and prioritize a portfolio of initiatives across competing operational needs.
• Build trust and foster collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.
• Navigate ambiguity while maintaining strategic focus and accountability.
• Communicate effectively with executive leadership, operational staff, and external partners.
• Promote equitable and effective systems, policies, and organizational practices.

Benefits

• Unlimited free public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Wellness program with eligibility for discounted medical plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program eligibility.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships through partnerships with over a dozen colleges and universities (savings of 10% to 40%, extending to spouses and dependents in some cases).

Pay

$107,000 - $120,000

The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.