Senior Officer, Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative

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 regions most vulnerable residents, informing discussion on important issues facing the city, and, more broadly, strengthening Philadelphias appeal to visitors and residents alike.

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 initiatives work are available trusts.org/philaresearch.

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 Pews policy engagement activities on local economic advancement including helping residents access the public benefits they qualify for, expanding and protecting affordable housing, and strengthening 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 Pews 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 Pews Philadelphia, PA office, will participate in Pews 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.

• 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 PRPIs 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 PRPIs external engagement strategy, including organizing and leading public and invitation‑only convenings, government official briefings, social media campaigns,…