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 Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians share in the city’s prosperous future and by alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities.  CEO is Philadelphia’s Community Action Agency (CAA); CAAs are private or public agencies created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and federally designated to receive Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding.

Guiding Principles (We believe…)

• The people of Philadelphia deserve the opportunity to live happy, healthy, full lives. 
• City Government should both recognize its culpability in creating and sustaining inequity and aspire to its responsibility to provide opportunities, represent the best interests, and promote the well-being of all residents. 
• People can offer meaningful insights into both personal experiences and how systems around them function. 
• Poverty is a deliberately created systemic issue and city government can lead in calling for justice and dismantling the barriers that often prevent opportunities. 

Values (How we work)

• Dignity: We actively respect our individual colleagues and people in the community.
• Inclusivity: Our work is more beneficial, valuable, and valid when our full range of experiences, knowledge, and skills can contribute.
• Persistence: We recognize the challenges inherent in this work, and when we get discouraged, we find ways to be resilient, lift each other up, and push forward.
• Accountability: We are transparent and honest about our plans, our actions, and our results.
• Honesty: We create a space to have healthy, honest dialogues about systems, people, and misconceptions and then communicate truthfully.

The Deputy Executive Director of Place-Based Initiatives is responsible for leadership of CEO’s overarching engagement practices, including responsibility for all roles connecting with residents and coordinating and implementing strategy with CEO leadership team. CEO’s Community Engagement model requires an expansive approach, strategic implementation and systems-level theory of change in order to significantly move communities from poverty to mobility. CEO utilizes advocacy, metrics, convenings, and programs as tools to advance our overarching strategies. The Deputy ED will lead CEO’s work in developing how these tools are utilized, including across systems, consulting, and training. 

CEO’s Place-Based Initiatives work encompasses three areas of work, all of which fall under the leadership of the deputy.  

Community Engagement Team: engages in broad-based community listening through canvass level and neighborhood organizing work; implements quantitative and qualitative data gathering that informs community supports, program, and policy initiatives to improve economic conditions and social determinants of health in communities. 

Community Resources Team: provides focused one-to-one support related to individual needs identified through community engagement process or participation in CEO-funded programs; connects individuals to benefits and resources that seek to improve individual health and/or social determinants of health. 

Neighborhood Initiatives Team: builds on the findings from the 10-year Promise Zone convening work bringing together residents and community organizations to address and positively impact issues surrounding affordable housing, economic opportunities, quality education, health and wellness, and public safety; evaluates program and builds implementation model for scalability for system-wide approach. 

This position serves as a liaison between CEO and citywide engagement efforts to ensure alignment. This position represents the city in national forums and convenings related to engagement and place-based initiatives, particularly in their use in efforts to reduce poverty and build pathways to economic mobility.  The deputy is responsible for representing CEO in various collaborative initiatives within City of Philadelphia Government, including all citywide engagement efforts and the ongoing efforts and new partnerships with city departments to change community-based policies and practices that will address drivers of racial inequality and connect residents to resources and share their voices with city government. 

Essential Functions

• Lead and manage CEO’s place-based initiatives units in all functions and embed trauma-informed, racial equity approach into day-to-day strategy, practices, and procedures.  
• Collaborate with CEO deputies and executive team on strategic goals and key measures that include measurable targets. 
• Represent the City of Philadelphia and CEO on issues related to community engagement and economic mobility external events and meetings. 
• Serve as a liaison between CEO and City-wide engagement and community-based efforts and workgroups. 
• In collaboration with other stakeholders, review and assess existing policies, procedures, programs, and services to identify opportunities to reduce barriers for different groups and promote resident voice at various decision points in CEO’s work. 
• Translate broader goals and strategies around engagement into concrete policy and practice changes. 
• Collaborate with agency and other stakeholders to create new partnership opportunities between CEO and city departments 
• Participate in technical support to CEO departments in building programs, identifying strategies, and measuring outcomes that include community engagement. 
• Other duties as assigned 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior leadership experience in citywide Community-Engagement or Place-based initiatives is required. 
• Deep background knowledge about the history of neighborhoods in Philadelphia preferred. 
• Strong working knowledge of community engagement practices in relation to economic mobility, poverty, local government, and/or community action agencies, and being comfortable and confident in speaking about these topics. 
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of government and with external partner agencies to establish consensus. 
• Familiarity with current research and best practices related to community engagement and place-based work. 
• Ability to translate data and research findings for practitioners. 
• Interest in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis; knowledge of best practices. 
• Passion for collaborating with community organizations, Philadelphia residents, and advocates to create systems change. 
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions. 
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. 
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. 
• Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills 

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

• Four (4) year college degree required 
• Master’s degree preferred 
• Equivalencies in formal advanced degree and experience will be considered  
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and exercise the authority of the position with sound judgment 
• Previous work in non-profit or public sector is ideal 
• Strong development or policy background is a plus 
• 7+ years of progressive management experience required 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises three Directors

Other Specialties, Certifications, Physical Requirements, and Work Conditions

• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

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

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 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
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

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

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

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