Senior Project Manager of Early Childhood Strategy, Policy and Planning

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 On January 2020, under Executive Order No. 2-20 by the Mayor of Philadelphia, the Office of Children and Families (OCF) was established to improve the outcomes for all of Philadelphia’s children and families, build stronger communities, and support great schools in every neighborhood. The Office of Children and Families oversees the following City programs and services:   Department of Human Services (child welfare and juvenile justice)   PHLpreK, the City’s free, quality pre-K program for three- and four-year-olds    Prevention Support Services (Out-of-School Time, Youth Workforce Development, Truancy, Access Centers)    Philly Reading Coaches   Food Access   PHLpreK Program  The mission of the PHLpreK program is to increase access to quality early learning by offering free pre-Kindergarten to children regardless of their family’s income. Beginning in August 2026, PHLpreK offers free quality pre-K to 5,350 children. To achieve this, the Office of Children and Families partners with more than 230 early childhood education providers to provide:  A safe, well-equipped classroom staffed by trained teachers.  A challenging, proven, play-based curriculum.  Careful attention to the whole child (academic, physical, social, and emotional needs).  Parental engagement and a transition plan for Kindergarten.  Each year, the City seeks to enhance the quality of PHLpreK services and further develop the groundwork necessary to continue the expansion of the program. The City prides itself on its diversity and strives to have that diversity reflected in the business community and the workforce of the city. PHLpreK not only supports pre-kindergarten programming for children but also serves as a means for economic opportunity by providing growth for businesses, large, small, and diverse in nature.  Since January 2017, the PHLpreK program has expanded the number of seats available to families by over 160%. This rapid expansion has been supported by investments in quality improvement services that assist providers in enhancing the early learning experiences children receive. As a result, the number of free, full-day preschool seats available to families that are rated STAR 3 or 4 in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) has grown by over 40%, beginning with 1,119 of the 2,000 (56%) available PHLpreK seats in January 2017 to 5,133 of the 5,250 (98%) seats in the most recent (2025–26) program year. Position Summary  This position reports to the Chief of Early Childhood Education and will be primarily responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of expanding Philadelphia’s public preschool system, which includes:  Establishing and managing the list of priorities that ensures the city’s public preschool sector is meeting the needs of children, families, teachers, staff, and the communities being served.  Aligning the priorities of the PHLpreK program with the selection process of local early learning centers that receive federal, state, and local funding and supports.  Managing the coordination of a centralized enrollment system with users that include the School District of Philadelphia, a fiscal fiduciary, over 300 public preschool centers, and families.  Mapping the supply, demand, utilization, quality, and other relevant factors to efficiently deploy high quality early childhood education resources to early learning centers across Philadelphia.  The selected individual will work closely with multiple departments, Commissioners, and senior leadership to monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The role requires strong political acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead projects that promote equity,  efficiency, and measurable outcomes for children, families, and early learning centers.  Essential Functions  Track PHLpreK milestones, budgets, performance metrics, and risks; escalate issues to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.  Secure additional resources, as needed, to fully operationalize the PHLpreK program’s priorities.  Serve as a strategic liaison between the City’s Early Childhood Education division and City departments to align on timelines, deliverables, and priorities for the PHLpreK program.  Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Heads, Commissioners, and other senior stakeholders to ensure cross-functional coordination and policy alignment.  Manage high-priority, cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, ensuring they are executed on time, within scope, and in accordance with the Mayor’s vision and strategic goals.  Anticipate political, operational, and community-related risks or barriers, and proactively propose solutions to address challenges and maintain momentum.  Lead and facilitate planning sessions, project check-ins, and deci