With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all of our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

The Managing Director manages and oversees the operations of the City. Working with five Cabinet-level Deputies, operational oversight is divided into specific departmental clusters: Health and Human Services, Community and Culture, Community Services, Public Safety and Criminal Justice, and Transportation and Infrastructure. The Managing Director’s Office also houses various commissions and taskforces, such as the Police Advisory Commission.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director for the Police Advisory Commission serves as the chief executive and operating officer of the Commission and is responsible for the implementation of the Commission’s plans, policies, and strategies. This position reports jointly to the Commission and the First Deputy Managing Director and is responsible for day-to-day management of the Commission’s functions, which includes governance of the Commission consistent with the Executive Order and applicable laws, policy research, outreach, investigations, report production, and other administrative tasks. The Executive Director currently oversees a staff of five.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinate closely with the Commission, particularly the Chair and other officers (if appointed), to carry out the functions of the Commission.
  
• Engage the community to facilitate communication and understanding between the public and the police. 
  
• Maintain awareness of trends in community-police relations and police reform nationally.
  
• Provide guidance to the Commission, as needed, regarding best practices and trends in community-police relations and police reform nationally. 
  
• Serve as liaison and maintain transparency between the Commission, local and state entities, elected officials, and the public.
  
• Ensure regular and public Commission meetings are scheduled and held, allow for a period of public comment, and comply with all relevant laws.
  
• Develop, initiate, and maintain strategies and tactics to complete objectives and goals defined by the Commission and its mission.
  
• Draft and edit reports, studies, recommendations, and other Commission materials.
  
• Ensure Commission is prepared with appropriate materials for meetings, including agenda, prior meeting minutes, memoranda, investigation materials, or other relevant documents.
  
• Attend and participate in all Commission meetings and provide information to the public and Commission as to policy, investigations, financial/administrative, or performance information.
  
• Supervise staff to ensure professional and appropriate performance of duties consistent with City of Philadelphia human resources polices.
  
• Make recommendations to Commission to improve performance, which may include proposed changes to Commission personnel and/or policies and procedures.
  
• Coordinate development of budget with the Commission and ensure proper and appropriate financial oversight and spending of funds allocated to the Commission.
  
• Schedule and coordinate executive sessions, at the discretion of the Chair, as necessary to maintain confidentiality of persons or information.
  
• Maintain a record of Commission investigations and meeting minutes. 
  
• Coordinate with the Commission and City in handling media inquiries, citizen inquiries or complaints, and Right to Know requests.
  
• Prepare annual report setting out the Commission’s accomplishment and recommendations in coordination with the Commission for public distribution.
  
• Coordinate with City agencies, including Law Department and the Board of Ethics, to ensure Commission and staff adhere to all state and local ethics and financial disclosure requirements.
  
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Police Advisory Commission or First Deputy Managing Director.
  

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Awareness and understanding of complex nature of community-police relations. 
  
• Strong organizational manager that sets clear expectations and reviews progress.
  
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to work across multiple departments, stakeholder organizations, and the public to implement a policy or objective.
  
• Good communication and listening skills, capable of influencing others and keeping others informed.
  
• Values and encourages diversity of thought, background, and perspective
  
• Experience and fluency in MS Office software programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
  
• Helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment 
  
• Receptive to feedback 
  

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant combined education and/or experience in related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, particularly in a leadership or position of trust in the community
• Minimum of 3 years managerial, supervisory, or executive experience
• Supervisory experience with investigations strongly preferred
• Significant experience working across governmental or non-governmental agencies to implement programs and policies
• Familiarity with police procedures, particularly procedures of the Philadelphia Police Department.
• Proven ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans 
• Familiarity with public relations
• Practical understanding or research methods and developing and implementing policy
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of Philadelphia a plus
  

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

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

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