Pew Research Center · 1 week ago
Project Director, Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative
Philadelphia, PA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$159K/yr - $178K/yr
10+ years expThe Pew Charitable Trusts is focused on advancing effective policies in Philadelphia through research and community engagement. The Project Director will lead strategies to inform policymakers and manage staff while fostering collaboration and public engagement to drive policy change.
AnalyticsConsumer ResearchSocial MediaSocial News
No H1B
Responsibilities
Foster a work environment that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces and values diversity, and is collaborative, caring and compassionate
Partner with the Project Director for Research on the development of strategies that combine Pew’s research, local and national expertise and convening capacity to address key policy topics affecting the city of Philadelphia
Lead, manage and mentor staff including development of annual performance plans; employing various approaches to improve staff skills and technical knowledge; and providing regular feedback for individual performance
Create opportunities for continued team learning, including monitoring and identifying emerging urban policy issues that are relevant to Philadelphia and to the priorities of the initiative, as well as increasing exposure to, engagement with, and responsiveness to community-based perspectives
Oversee day-to-day policy operations, including managing convenings, stakeholder outreach and external communications strategy and calendar. Manage the initiative’s engagements with outside partnerships, including key policy organizations, as well as external consultants supporting program deliverables
Develop and maintain active and responsive public engagement with policymakers and civic stakeholders to enhance understanding of the issues in Philadelphia, build trust with decision-makers and identify influential leaders ready to advocate for policy change with a focus on successful completion of project deliverables. These should include partnerships and outside experts; and developing, leading and participating in internal and external convenings, committees and working groups
Engage city leadership and decision-makers through regular closed-door briefings, on task forces, in testimony and through technical assistance agreements and other activities to bring expertise and deliver durable and evidence-based policy solutions to the initiative’s issue areas. Create and sustain pathways for ongoing policymaker and stakeholder feedback during the research and policy recommendation generation process
Lead key high-profile projects with regional and national partners. Lead, develop and support future partnerships that increase Pew’s impact in Philadelphia, including related to emerging peer city learning opportunities
Establish effective and collaborative relationships with other key units at Pew. Collaborate with Pew’s state and local government performance programs and other D.C.-based policy teams to leverage their research, expertise and national networks of experts to facilitate achievement of goals. Contribute to and participate in broader Pew-related projects and activities
Ensure that the team maintains a clear grasp of IRS, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania lobbying laws, adheres to Pew guidelines, accurately tracks all contacts with government officials and provides consistent engagement with and timely reporting to Pew’s government relations team
Serve as spokesperson on policy topics to cultivate and engage the public and key constituencies on core issues. This includes representing Pew at meetings, conferences, and/or on expert panels/groups, authoring articles and other communications and providing interviews to outside sources. Represent Pew before policymakers, civic, business, and nonprofit organizations and the media
Partner with Pew’s communications and the PRPI Project Director for Research to shepherd research to publication and develop an effective dissemination plan through media interviews, public convenings, online communications strategies and presentations. Contribute to drafting social media outreach, press releases, op-eds, and presentations. Help disseminate research findings in ways that are highly relevant to local policy leaders, have practical policy recommendations and are easily understood by the public, media and policymakers
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
Generally, 10 years of applicable experience
Seasoned judgment, decisive and focused on achieving clear and ambitious goals
Demonstrated experience setting short and long-term planning objectives to achieve concrete outcomes
A task-oriented style, with demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization
Excellent written and oral communications skills. Clear, effective writing style
Effective interpersonal skills; comfort developing and managing productive relationships with supervisees, consultants, partners and others who contribute to the development of a project by anticipating possible outcomes. Experience working successfully with a broad range of stakeholders
Familiarity with city government operations and policymaking processes. Knowledge of current trends and issues affecting Philadelphia and cities
Comfortable working with a high degree of independence and autonomy
Benefits
Comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage
Financial security with life and disability insurance
Opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts
Retirement benefits to help prepare for the future
Work/life benefits to maintain a good balance
Company
Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center is an American research firm that conducts research related to social issues, demographics, social trends, and more.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jocelyn Kiley
Managing Director
Nikolas Wissmann
Director of Finance and Administration; Treasurer
Recent News
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