City of Philadelphia Seeking a Senior Manager Infrastructure Economy

Job Position

Senior Manager Infrastructure Economy

Description 

Company Description
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
OTIS coordinates policy, planning, and decision-making among the entities that manage local transportation and utilities infrastructure. This includes the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO).

Within City government, OTIS oversees the Department of Streets, Department of Sanitation, Office of Multimodal Planning (which is aligned with the national Complete Streets movement), and the Philadelphia Water Department. Special initiatives include Vision Zero and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Infrastructure Economy will be a senior member of the Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST), a cross-departmental function responsible for implementing infrastructure projects with equity outcomes including growing generational wealth for Philadelphians. The Senior Manager will provide thought leadership for the IST on how Philadelphia can capture the economic benefits of infrastructure spending.

To date, the City has been awarded over $700M of new federal funding that will be realized as infrastructure contracts in the coming 1-5 years. The Senior Manager will be the primary point person responsible for developing and leading strategic initiatives to advance diverse business participation on these City infrastructure contracts.

The primary focus of the Senior Manager’s work will be pioneering systems level changes that support diverse businesses in construction and public works industries. As a secondary focus, the Senior Manager will support diverse businesses in planning, design, architecture, engineering industries.

The Senior Manager will report to the Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy in OTIS and work closely with internal and external partners including leadership of Mayor’s Office of Business Impact and Economic Advancement, Chief Administrator’s Office, and Procurement Department.

A key responsibility of the Senior Manager will be leading coordinated efforts with SupplyPHL, a public/non-profit partnership, to advance the success and growth of diverse contractors. SupplyPHL was initiated in 2024 to seize on the opportunities presented by unprecedented federal funding for infrastructure building in Philadelphia.

The Senior Manager will supervise a Project Manager and lead the development of a suite of pilot programs that remove barriers that diverse businesses experience when contracting with City government. Example projects include solutions for faster pay terms to contractors and sub-contractors, financial products to provide working capital, and an owner-controlled insurance program.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and trusted business development leader with an established network in the Philadelphia region’s construction industry, a strong external presence, and the ability to successfully engage industry leaders to advance the City’s diverse contractor program goals. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the construction and development industry and the challenges and opportunities diverse businesses face. In addition, they will have the ability to move from program conception to implementation and operation.

The ideal candidate will also have professional experience working with the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and other regulations and policies that apply to programs designed to facilitate diverse business participation. The role will manage consultants advising the City on DBE programs.

The Senior Manager will coordinate closely other City departments such as Streets, Water, Aviation, Commerce, and Law, which may have the need to use and/or refer to a business diversity program.

Essential Functions

• Assemble project teams, identify needed resources, and develop timeframes to ensure successful completion of project activities.
• Develop and implement innovative practices in government contracting to increase access for diverse vendors.
• Actively manage the relationship with SupplyPHL to maintain alignment with organizational goals, encourage innovation, and ensure that all parties are informed and involved in strategic planning and execution.
• Oversee the establishment of frameworks for accountability, evaluate partnership outcomes, and identify opportunities to enhance impact and efficiency with partners like SupplyPHL and PIDC.
• Supervise the work of a Project Senior Manager.
• Lead coordination of City funding and investments in multiple distinct initiatives to advance diverse business participation solutions.
• In coordination with the City Solicitor’s Office, have knowledge of up-to-date information on evolving USDOT DBE rules.
• Manage consultant team(s) assisting the City with diverse business strategy and DBE compliance.
• Assist project managers in recommending ambitious and achievable DBE participation goals to PennDOT.
• Evaluate progress of stated metrics and goals including reporting on the participation of diverse vendors across $100M+ in City public works contracts.
• Prepare and deliver status reports and dashboards for presentation.
• Engage with targeted businesses, seeking access to BIL and other federally funded projects.
• Meet with chambers of commerce, business membership groups, business services groups and others to coordinate upcoming bid opportunities for their members.

Requirements 

• Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholders, leading to consensus or a common agenda.
• Skilled at navigating complex systems including government bureaucracy.
• Experienced in economic opportunity, ideally related to diverse business participation.
• Collaborative, seeking connections across project/process owners and stakeholders for alignment and the potential for conflict. Share and leverage relationships.
• Ability to understand budgeting, procurement, contracts and other processes and policies.
• Ability to demystify DBE and other participation policies and to educate stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to change and embracing the culture of a fast-paced office with evolving priorities and growing opportunities.
• Knowledge of challenges and opportunities faced by diverse contractors and small businesses.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and specific knowledge of Philadelphia’s construction industry.
• Familiarity with government procurement practices and innovative strategies in public contracting.

Qualifications

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university or comparable experience.
• Experience in government, the non-profit sector, or other comparable settings conducting research and writing; managing stakeholder processes; and participating on workplace teams for a common agenda, work product or strategy.
• Five or more years of project and/or process management experience managing multiple, large, cross-functional teams or projects.
• Experience in the supervision of and professional development for junior staff.

How to Apply 

Apply online