Position SummaryThe Senior Program Manager is an integral part of the Commerce Department’s Office of Neighborhood Economic Development (ONED) with the responsibility to manage funding awards, relationships and contracts for performance of economic development work in the City of Philadelphia. This person is expected to develop relationships with community-based organizations, Technical Assistance Providers, Financial Institutions and Agency partners, and an intimate knowledge of Philadelphia neighborhoods. The position reports to the Director within the Office of Neighborhood Economic Development.Essential FunctionsEconomic development program managementProgram Management: Develop tools and programs, such as the Commercial Real-Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program to help small businesses in low- and moderate-income areas buy property.Program Management: Develop tools and programs to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses, start, grow, and thriveRelationship-building: Management and oversight of contractual and non-contractual relationships with community-based organizations, Technical Assistance providers, financial institutions and other agencies engaged in economic development workProject Oversight: Provide planning, analysis, monitoring and technical support services for projects and programs designed to promote economic development to revitalize economic conditions in targeted urban areasGrant application review: Review applications for project funding and reviews invoices and reports submitted by contractors and delegate agenciesProject/Program Evaluation: Evaluate performance, effectiveness and impact of projects and programs and make appropriate recommendationsContact other agencies, city housing officials, departmental officials, and the private business sector to ensure cooperation in the implementation of programs and projectsContractingNegotiate and prepare scope of service and budgetary document for contracts and agreements recommended for funding by Community Development Block Grants, State Department of Community and Economic Development, and other city, state, federal and private fundsDevelop contract terms with agency directors, legal representatives, and fiscal administrators of contracting agencies - ensure that scopes of services are realistic and conform with approved program proposalsActive monitoring of contracted services: review of required provider submissions/deliverables (reports), and frequent informal communication with providers as well as in-person visitsProvide Technical Assistance as needed to ensure compliance and performanceDevelop and review Requests for Proposals for economic development programming by community organizationsUndertake the initial review of invoices for expenditures under contacts for both budgetary control and conformance with program intent; certify payment for expendituresEnsure the preparation of support documentation files for review and compliance with city, state and federal agencies; prepare monthly and annual reports as required by city.Develop and incorporate designs for systematic reporting and monitoring of contract progress; discuss wording and format of contracts with legal staff to clarify terms and conditions.Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesAbility to work productively and in partnership with ethnically, culturally and economically diverse communities, at varying levels of formalityProject planning methods and techniques.Physical, social and economic structure of the City.Basic knowledge and understanding of financial literarcyDevelop relationships with associates, governmental agencies, civic, community and business groups and the general public.The principles of economics and the techniques of economic analysis.The organization, functions, procedures and resources of City agencies, boards, and commissions, quasi-governmental agencies and private organizations whose activities affect urban area economic development programs.The principles and methods used in revitalizing private industry and physical environment in economically depressed urban areas.The principles and practices of contract development, negotiation administration, and control as they relate to economic and community development projects.City, state and federal regulations as they pertain to contract preparation and administration of Community Development Block Grant, Empowerment Zone, and other funding programs.Funding Source rules and regulations and guidelines in the application of commercial and area improvement projects and programs.Uniform Program Management System.Legislation regulating area economic development activities.Competency in a language other than English is a plus.Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, ArcGIS/QGIS, and/or database management skills are a plus.
