Senior Officer, Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative

The Philadelphia Program

Through the Philadelphia program, Pew seeks to enhance civic life in its hometown. We partner with many local institutions in encouraging a thriving arts and cultural community, supporting the health and welfare of the region’s most vulnerable residents, informing discussion on important issues facing the city, and, more broadly, strengthening Philadelphia’s appeal to visitors and residents alike.

Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative

The purpose of the Philadelphia research and policy initiative (PRPI) is to enable policymakers to identify and enact policies and practices that improve city government and the well-being of the city's residents by conducting rigorous research regarding important challenges and trends facing Philadelphia. Central to this policy work is the production of timely, well-documented reports on these issues for the benefit of policymakers, the news media, and the public at large.

Working directly with stakeholders, the initiative conducts in-depth research, looking beyond the city and region for relevant information from comparable locales. Our approach includes: (1) researching important policy topics and solutions; (2) analyzing administrative, demographic and polling data to benchmark progress; (3) holding policy-oriented convenings; (4) engaging extensively with policymakers and influential stakeholders before and after convenings to increase the impact of our work and consider promising solutions; and (5) making direct policy recommendations.

Examples of the initiative’s work are available at www.pewtrusts.org/philaresearch.

Position Overview

In consultation with the project director for policy and other senior leadership, the senior officer, PRPI, leads the development and implementation of strategies to leverage research, convening, and policy engagement tools to inform and enable Philadelphia policymakers. The senior officer brings a strong strategic focus to Pew’s policy engagement activities on local economic advancement – including helping residents access the public benefits they qualify for, expanding and protecting affordable housing, and strengthen pathways to middle wage jobs through coordinated regional action and improved job training, fiscal policy analysis and government performance, among other topic areas, contributing the right mix of outreach, policy research, and Pew’s national expertise and resulting in actions taken by policymakers, institutional actors, and civic and advocacy groups.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with lived experience related to the issues PRPI works on are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position, based in Pew’s Philadelphia, PA office, will participate in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

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.
• Help lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of research, analysis, and policy translation on key issues affecting the city of Philadelphia, with a particular focus on the city’s fiscal health and government performance. Help ensure that PRPI’s policy work considers racial disparities and is informed by broad, deep, and diverse knowledge networks.
• Lead policy translation, including developing presentations and “leave-behind” written materials, soliciting and responding to feedback from target audiences, and synthesizing research findings and related policy implications across PRPI products.
• Help lead and develop peer city learning models and networks to support the transfer and adoption of practices that have demonstrated success in improving local outcomes.
• In collaboration with communications and government relations colleagues, develop and implement PRPI’s external engagement strategy, including organizing and leading public and invitation-only convenings, government official briefings, social media campaigns, and presentations to civic, business, nonprofit, and community-based organizations.
• Conceptualize and draft web analyses, Q&As, and other content relevant to policy deliberations that are easily understood by policymakers, civic stakeholders, the media, and a wider public audience.
• Serve as an expert on Pew’s research and policy solutions, including through participating in speaking engagements/public forums, providing technical assistance to policymakers, testifying before city council, and serving on task forces/working groups.
• Build and sustain relationships with relevant policymakers and government officials, as well as nonprofit, business sector, and civic sector stakeholders, to both increase their awareness of and input into Pew’s work and stay current on their priorities.
• Build relationships with new stakeholders the team has not yet identified or engaged with to strengthen and broaden PRPI’s research and policy recommendations.
• Develop and maintain broad-based knowledge of key issues facing Philadelphia, local political and policy context, and promising policy solutions. Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to keep current on relevant research and policy issues. Continually scan for potential research topics, policy engagement opportunities, and peer city learning opportunities and share information about the same with colleagues.
• Partner with Pew’s government performance (GP) teams to identify opportunities for shared learning, collaboration, and local application of GP’s research and policy insights. Contribute to and participate in broader Philadelphia program and Pew-related projects and activities as assigned.
• To further stakeholder engagement activity, track interactions and impact in the Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
• As relevant, manage contractor/vendor relationships, from partner selection through project conclusion.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.
• Generally, 10 years of applicable experience.
• Relevant experience in public policy, the public sector, academia, journalism, or with nonprofits preferred, with evidence of increased responsibilities over time.
• Special expertise in at least one city-focused subject area—economic advancement, fiscal analysis, budgeting, government performance, etc.—or proven knowledge and command of city-related data sources.
• Demonstrated interest in, and understanding of, issues of importance to policymakers in Philadelphia, as well as current trends and issues affecting Philadelphia specifically and peer cities in general.
• Demonstrated research, data collection, analysis, and writing skills; facility with quantitative data; and special expertise in at least one city-focused subject area – preferably economic advancement, fiscal policy, budgeting, departmental operations and/or government performance.
• Experience synthesizing and summarizing large amounts of information and focusing quickly on the essence of an issue, including policy implications. Demonstrated skill in policy translation for diverse audiences, including in developing audience-appropriate presentations and “leave-behind” written materials.
• Effective communication skills, including a clear, effective writing style, excellent listening skills, and experience effectively communicating with diverse audiences.
• Experience developing and managing productive and collaborative relationships both internally and externally with diverse audiences.
• Conceptualizes, plans, and advances projects with a high degree of independence and autonomy, including by effectively working with consultants and partners.
  
  

Key Attributes And Preferred Experience

• Thinks strategically, collaboratively within a team, and creatively, and adjusts to changing circumstances.
• A task-oriented style, with a focus on achieving clear and ambitious goals and attention to detail. Demonstrated experience meeting multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Experience working with Salesforce CRM preferred.
  
  

Travel

Overnight travel for meetings and conferences as required, as well as occasional trips to Pew’s Washington, D.C. office.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

United States Pay Range: $142,800 - $159,600

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: 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; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.