Director of Strategic Planning - Police

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Agency Description

Within the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) is responsible for shaping the Department’s long-term vision, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness. A core focus is ensuring that strategic initiatives are data-driven, transparent, and designed to build public trust while addressing evolving public safety challenges. 

To support this work, the OSP is establishing a Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO), which will: 

• Drive successful execution of the strategic plan 

• Build organizational planning and implementation capacity 

• 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, as identified by the Police Commissioner. Its portfolio will include: 

• Intensive project management and delivery support for high-priority initiatives 

• Strategic support for broader change management efforts 

• Research, problem-structuring, and advising on new policy initiatives 
  

This is an exciting time to join the team. The PMDO represents a new and transformative effort to embed lasting systems that enable the PPD to implement, manage, and sustain change more effectively. Senior leaders and team members will help shape a model for how large public sector organizations build planning and delivery capacity from the ground up.

Job Description

Director of Strategic Planning – Office of Strategic Planning 

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. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategic Planning, the Director of Strategic Planning will lead the implementation of the Philadelphia Police Department’s strategic priorities and oversee the Department’s Project Management and Delivery Office (PMDO). This role is responsible for managing a portfolio of high-impact initiatives, supervising the project management team, and ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into effective, measurable action across the Department. 

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. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Planning and Implementation 

• 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 

Project Management and Delivery Office Leadership 

• 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 

Strategic Initiative Oversight 

• 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 

Performance Management and Strategic Reporting 

• 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 

Organizational Change and Stakeholder Engagement 

• 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 

Leadership and Organizational Support 

• 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 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge 

• 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 

Skills 

• 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 

Qualifications

• 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 

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: $107,000 - $120,000

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

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