Project Director

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) manages and oversees the operations of the City. Working with five Cabinet-level Deputies, operational oversight is divided into specific departmental clusters: Community Services, General Services, Arts, & Events, Health & Human Services, Public Safety & Criminal Justice, and Transportation, Infrastructure, & Sustainability.  

The Capital Program Office (CPO) is a newly created office within the Office of the Managing Director’s purview, responsible for capital planning and implementation for a number of City agencies, including but not limited to Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Police, Fire, Prisons, Health, Office of Homeless Services, Fleet, The Free Library and Public Property. CPO is assigned to work with the City Planning Commission, Budget Office and client departments in the creation of the annual capital budget and capital program, by evaluating proposed capital projects in terms of cost, schedule of work, timetable for completion, utility and practically as well as benefit to the City and compliance with the priorities of the Administration. The CPO oversees the engineering and architectural functions for, and otherwise is responsible for implementing projects set forth in the City’s current and future capital budgets and programs. 

Position Summary 

 The Project Director is responsible for administering Capital Improvements throughout the City through oversight of engineering and architectural work performed by contracted professionals and in-house staff. The employee in this position will oversee planning, implementation, design, construction and inspection of Capital projects through subordinate supervisors, staff of engineers, architects and inspectors. The Project Director monitors and maintains overall goals and objectives of construction and renovation projects including but not limited to design, bid, schedule, budget, quality, and code/regulatory requirements, and serves as a liaison between Executive Staff, Facilities, Contractors and other staff, and is responsible for adopting and implementing the philosophy of the City.  

Responsibilities include establishing goals and objectives and participating in the formulation and implementation of divisional policies, employee development, preconstruction/construction management, client satisfaction, risk and financial management. 

Essential Functions 

• Plan, coordinate and direct, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of employees engaged in the design, development, analysis, evaluation, construction, and inspection of capital improvements for City owned and leased facilities and properties; direct the preparation and review of design specifications and other documents; reviews the work of staff engaged the review and revision of designs, plans, and specifications prepared by consultants, architects and engineers for capital projects;  

• Participate in the more complex facets of the projects and resolve conflicts between staff and consultants or other individuals or agencies.  

• Have knowledge or principles and practices of administrative organization and management and analyze, evaluate and resolve complex organizational, administrative and managerial problems. 

• Represent the department in conferences, meetings and hearings 

• Consult with departmental and administrative officials, consulting engineers, contractors, representatives of government and industry, and the general public regarding divisional policies, procedures, programs and the resolution of points of disagreement; advises course of action to be taken in resolving complex engineering and procedural problems; represents division and/or department at a variety of conferences and meetings and appears before legislative bodies as an expert witness. 

• Prepare, develop, and review capital budgets; coordinate and determine staffing requirements and assignments between units; meet with union representatives regarding contractual obligations and union grievances; review staff disciplinary actions. 

• Review and approve contract documents, partial and final estimates, invoices, progress reports; report on the need, feasibility and estimated cost of major engineering projects. 

• Prepares technical recommendations for contracts, agreements, ordinances and bills. 

• Meet and work with Capital Program Office executives and deliver regular project status reports. 

• Create workload and spending plans for client agencies and the Capital Program Office. 

• Exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures consistent with overall policies and objectives. 

• Represent the City to resolve contractual disputes as it relates to capital improvement projects. 

• Evaluate design documents for soundness of engineering features and economic feasibility and make sound recommendations. 

• Provide meaningful experiences for interns to encourage their educational growth through valuable learned opportunities.  

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of governmental agencies, civic organizations, associates, and the public 

• Enlist the cooperation of officials to implement policy and procedural changes. 

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge: 

• Understanding of risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and contingency planning in construction and engineering projects. 

• In-depth understanding of construction materials, methods, and technologies used in building construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects. 

• Familiarity with quality control techniques to ensure project deliverables meet specified standards and comply with contractual requirements. 

• In-depth knowledge of contract law, procurement regulations, and procedures, including competitive bidding, vendor selection, and contract compliance. 

• Understanding of sustainability principles, including LEED certification standards, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly building materials and methods. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of safety regulations and industry standards such as OSHA requirements for construction sites. 

Skills: 

• Ability to develop long-term strategies and project plans aligned with organizational goals and priorities. 

• Proficiency in analyzing data and reports to assess project progress, identify issues, and make data-driven decisions. 

• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to manage disputes between stakeholders, contractors, and team members. 

• Expertise in managing relationships with external contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure successful project delivery. 

• Ability to conduct detailed financial analysis to forecast costs, track project expenditures, and ensure alignment with budgetary constraints. 

• Proficiency in using project management tools and software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, or similar) to track project timelines, resources, and performance. 

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and deadlines are met. 

• Microsoft Office, Outlook, Adobe XI Professional, Procore, AutoCAD,  BlueBeam ReVU Standard  

Abilities: 

• Strong leadership skills to coordinate and direct multi-disciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies. 

• Flexibility in adjusting project plans and strategies in response to evolving client needs, regulatory changes, and unforeseen challenges. 

• Ability to assess project situations and make decisions under pressure to keep projects on track while managing risks. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex project details, progress, and technical information to stakeholders, including executives, government officials, and community members. 

• Ability to ensure that all aspects of the project comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental and safety standards. 

• Ability to implement innovative solutions and continuously improve project delivery processes to enhance efficiency and quality. 

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree Program with coursework in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related field.  

Registration as a Professional Engineer or Architect is preferred but not required. 

10+ years’ experience as Sr. Project Manager and/or 1-3 years’ experience as Project Director. 

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

Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000

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].

Interested candidates should apply through Smart Recruiters:  

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Lydia Furst, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit ([email protected]). 

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx