Director

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

From the beginning, Philadelphia has worked to be a welcoming place to people from all walks of life. Our country was built by immigrants and our strength as a city is reinforced by our vibrant diversity.

The mission of the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) is to promote the well-being of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities. We do this by recommending and developing policies and programs, which in turn provide opportunity and access to services.

We help facilitate the successful inclusion of immigrants into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the city. We highlight the essential role that immigrants have played and continue to play in our city.

OIA also supports the work of the following commissions:

• Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
• Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) provides strategic leadership and oversight for initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being, inclusion, and empowerment of immigrant communities. Reporting to the Deputy Managing Director of Community Services, the Director is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and partnerships that facilitate the successful integration of immigrants into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the community. The role also involves supervising a team of coordinators, specialists, and other staff to ensure the office’s objectives align with broader governmental and community priorities.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement strategies, policies, and programs to promote the civic, economic, and cultural inclusion of immigrant communities in Philadelphia.
• Provide strategic direction to a team of coordinators, specialists, and other staff, ensuring alignment with the city's mission to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all.
• Monitor and analyze local, state, and federal policies affecting immigrants and recommend responsive initiatives.
• Coordinate with Communications Office to amplify Administration’s priorities and develop a communication strategy, talking points, social media, press releases and serve as spokesperson to media on immigration.
• Manage effective communication strategies to the Philadelphia community.

Community Engagement and Advocacy:

• Serve as the primary liaison between immigrant communities, city government, and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate for policies and programs that address the needs of immigrant communities and ensure equitable access to city services.

Program Oversight and Coordination:

• Oversee the planning and execution of initiatives aimed at supporting immigrant communities in areas such as workforce development, language access, housing, education, and health services.
• Oversee OIA programs including current programming, including, but not limited to listed below:
  • Year-round Cultural Programming
  • Immigrant Heritage Month
  • Welcoming Week
  • Unity Cup
  • Philadelphia Honors Diversity
•  
• Manage the operations and activities of the Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, providing support and ensuring alignment with OIA’s mission.
• Collaborate with other city departments to ensure immigrant-inclusive practices across all areas of government.
• Create and manage a referral center, providing information and contacts with other community organizations serving immigrants across Philadelphia.

Data-Driven Decision-Making:

• Collect and analyze data on immigrant communities to identify needs, measure the impact of OIA programs, and inform policy recommendations.
• Prepare and present reports to the Deputy Managing Director of Community Services and other key stakeholders.

Team and Budget Management:

• Provide leadership and supervision to OIA staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Manage the office's budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to achieve strategic goals.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of immigrant communities' needs, including legal, social, economic, and cultural challenges.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and policies impacting immigrants, such as immigration laws, language access regulations, and anti-discrimination laws.
• Expertise in equity and inclusion practices, particularly as they relate to immigrant populations.
• Understanding of cultural competency and its application to program and policy development.
• Knowledge of strategies for engaging diverse communities and building inclusive civic and economic programs.
• Familiarity with workforce development, housing assistance, healthcare access, and educational initiatives for immigrant communities.
• Familiarity with the structure and functions of government agencies, particularly at the municipal level.
• Knowledge of budget management, strategic planning, and interdepartmental collaboration within government settings.
• Understanding of data collection methods and their application in assessing community needs and program outcomes.
• Knowledge of best practices in program monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective service delivery.

Skills:

• Strong leadership skills to guide teams and align organizational goals with the broader mission.
• Proficiency in managing teams, including delegating responsibilities, providing feedback, and fostering professional growth.
• Ability to develop long-term strategies and translate them into actionable plans and programs.
• Skill in identifying emerging trends and proactively addressing challenges.
• Proficiency in building and maintaining partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Skill in fostering dialogue and collaboration among groups with differing priorities or viewpoints.
• Expertise in drafting and implementing policies that address systemic barriers and promote inclusion.
• Strong analytical skills to assess the impact of policies and recommend changes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, delivering presentations, and representing the organization publicly.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear, accessible manner to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in managing budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, and identifying funding opportunities.
• Ability to assess program costs and balance resource constraints with organizational priorities.

Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Capacity to approach challenges with empathy, patience, and a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives.
• Ability to identify challenges, analyze complex problems, and develop innovative solutions.
• Skill in balancing immediate needs with long-term goals in decision-making.
• Ability to respond to rapidly changing priorities, policy shifts, and community needs.
• Capacity to navigate complex political and social environments with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to champion immigrant inclusion and equity, both within government and in the broader community.
• Skill in amplifying immigrant voices and addressing systemic inequities.
• Capacity to analyze data and use it to guide policy decisions, program development, and resource allocation.
• Ability to evaluate program outcomes and implement improvements based on data insights.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and organizations to achieve shared goals.
• Skill in facilitating partnerships and coordinating activities among diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in public administration, social work, public policy, or a related field.

At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience in community services, immigrant affairs, or related fields.

Proficiency in a second language commonly spoken in Philadelphia’s immigrant communities is highly desirable.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: $115,000 - $135,000

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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

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