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 (MDO) is a cabinet-level office with oversight of the City’s operating departments. The MDO works with these departments to: 

• Create and successfully enact new policies. 

• Deliver efficient, effective, and responsive public services. 

• Implement the mayor’s vision. 

The MDO oversees the following divisions: 

• Capital Program Office 

• Community Services 

• Community Safety 

• General Services 

• Health and Human Services 

• Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems  

MDO-Health and Human Services portfolio mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of all Philadelphians. HHS focuses on providing safety and support for the most vulnerable children and adults.  

HHS supports collaboration among the following agencies: Mayor’s Commission on Aging, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Office of Homeless Services, and the Office of Community Wellness and Recovery.

The Executive Director of Community Wellness and Recovery will lead Mayor Parker’s initiative to address the twin problems of homelessness and opioid crisis and provide leadership in developing, planning, and organizing programs focused on wellness and recovery. The initiative involves a $100M capital funding infusion (FY25 capital budget year) to spur development of a wellness campus to provide continued housing and supports for individuals working on recovery and sobriety. Phase II of the campus development has commenced. The Executive Director will be the main point of contact between the Capital Programs Office and the City agencies with subject matter expertise during all phases of development.  

The Executive Director will oversee the operations at 1) Philly Home at Girard, opened in May 2024, which provides safe haven and recovery-oriented housing to approximately 180 individuals as well as 2) Riverview Wellness Village, opened in January 2025.  

The Director will be responsible for identifying additional opportunities for residential programming as well as push-in and outpatient services for existing and new sites.  

The OCWR Director reports directly to the Deputy Managing Director for Health and Human Services. 

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Coordinate among City departments (including but not limited to Office of Homeless Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, MDO-Health and Human Services, Public Property, Licenses and Inspections, Law Department, Capital Program Office) to establish strategy around existing and expanded wellness activities (with a specific focus on homelessness and opioid use disorder. 

• Lead and oversee the operations at Philly House at Girard and Riverview Wellness Village.  

• Collaborate with MDO Administration Team to prepare and manage operating + capital budgets that will facilitate success of programs. 

• Manage team members across the growing portfolio of the Office of Community Wellness and Recovery 

• Oversee and manage various service providers, sometimes through collegial staff, ensuring contracts are established; responsible for facilitating dispute resolutions; responsible for payment cycle; work with and collaborate on revenue opportunities. 

• Lead responses to City Council, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs, inquiries and concerns; manage community communications and receive/respond to community concerns. 

• Oversee – sometimes through collegial staff – facilities management and capital improvements; be an on-site presence at both facilities; ensure that residential programming function safely, effectively, and within contract, zoning, and licensing guidelines 

• Collaborate with the Mayor’s Office of Strategy and Partnerships to establish, nurture, and grow public-private partnerships that will augment government funding and services 

• Work to address zoning and permitting issues, including but not limited to collaborating with Law Department, Department Licenses and Inspections, commonwealth agencies, community groups, and City Council, to achieve proper zoning and permitting to facilitate programming success. 

• Work with service providers to seek state or local licensing require to operate programming. 

• Work with DBHIDS and OHS homeless outreach teams to identify incoming clientele. 

• Collaborate and lead iterative planning processes to ensure wellness activities and programming meet and respond to rapidly changing environment. 

• Liaise with public safety partners to ensure strong connections and relationships, especially as it related to future encampment resolutions. 

Additional duties or scope may be added.  

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

 Includes but not limited to: 

• Experience with working in social service settings, including programs focused on alleviating homelessness and/or opioid use disorder 

• Ability to demonstrate cultural humility in a diverse work setting 

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse range of people, ranging from Council leaders to outreach workers to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and active substance use disorders 

• Training principles and practices 

• Labor relations and employee relations principles and practices 

• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects, tasks, and priorities in a fast-paced environment  

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  

• Flexibility to both work independently and as part of a team  

• Strong working knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite  

• Strong interpersonal skills with the capacity to collaborate across diverse teams and city departments  

• Strong communication and time management skills  

• Knowing how to balance getting the work done with managing multiple priorities 

• Executive presence to manage wide range of contacts 

(Education and Experience): 

• Bachelors' degree in relevant degree (or equivalent experience) preferred 

• 10 years of specific experience working in homelessness/housing field 

• 5 years of experience in leadership roles 

One or more factors above can be waived or reduced for candidate’s demonstrated unique potential or experience match. 

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

Salary Range: $147,000 - $180,000

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 8 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