A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Managing Director’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (oTIS) is charged with driving change through our transportation and infrastructure systems. oTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and the Office of Sustainability to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. oTIS collaborates with a wide variety of organizations such as Amtrak, DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, and SEPTA.  OTIS has led the City’s response to the passage of the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy will help lead Philadelphia’s work to take advantage of the once-in-a-generation Federal investment in infrastructure.  This skilled leader will work with City leaders and external stakeholders to make sure that the roughly $1 billion dollar federal investment expected to come to Philadelphia serves to reverse the structural inequities that public works projects have created in the past.  This leader will utilize their skill, energy, creativity and tenacity to rebuild, restore, and reimagine Philadelphia’s infrastructure for future generations.

The Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy will be the leader of the Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST).  The IST will ensure that the City will win Federal dollars and implement projects in a way that lifts up local businesses, creates jobs, and builds back Philadelphia's infrastructure equitably. The team will include individuals with technical skills and experience focused on infrastructure, procurement, minority and disadvantaged business development, and workforce development. The coordination and cooperation among the members of the IST will be critical to the City’s success in implementing infrastructure projects in ways that improve the lives of Philadelphians.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

Coordinate City efforts to building equitable jobs and wealth from infrastructure projects

• Lead a small group of cross-City leaders (Infrastructure Solutions Team) to ensure that BIL funded contracts are awarded to diverse firms and employ Philadelphia residents, especially Black and Brown residents.
• Work with other City leaders on workforce development, procurement, and supplier diversity on behalf of the OTIS cluster.

Coordinate strategy and policy development

• Coordinate and build support with legislative offices at the Federal, state, and local level on infrastructure projects and funding.
• Draft policy recommendations, advocate for legislative and other policy changes (at Federal, state, and local level).
• Support and guide the work of the BIL Steering Committee and working groups.  Lead external and internal coordination and communications on BIL investments and strategy.
• Guide, in coordination with the Infrastructure Grants Manager, overall capital infrastructure strategy, project portfolio, and capital budget match.
• Monitor project delivery and capacity issues across all departments.

This position reports to the Deputy Managing Director with dotted line reporting to the Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives. Additional coordination will be required with the Streets Department and Mayor’s Office.

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.  A wide variety of educational backgrounds could prepare a candidate for this position including Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Transportation Planning, Transportation Engineering, or Communications.
• Ten years of experience managing or otherwise instrumental to infrastructure projects, policy development, project management, and planning initiatives.  
• Experience working with elected officials at all levels of government.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, programs, and projects
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Proven project and/or program management skills
• Proven experience to bring diverse groups together toward common goals.
• Ability to work across bureaucracy to solve complex problems and drive change.
• Ability to communicate articulately and convincingly across different formats - written, verbal, visual, etc. and for various audiences - elected officials, department heads, staff, the public, advocates.
• Ability to take initiative and exercise agency.
• Ability to seek out new ideas and readily work to implement them.
• Ability to deal with high pressure situations and diffuse emotionally charged issues.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use standard office software.

OTIS recognizes that a person’s past, their education and experience, does not define their future.  If you think you would be successful in this position despite not meeting all of these qualifications please apply and explain in your cover letter why you would make a great Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, one page writing sample and resume.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer 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

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

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

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 [email protected].

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