Policy coordinator

About Old City District and the Neighborhood: Old City District (“OCD”) is a business improvement district established pursuant to Pennsylvania law that provides a range of services and promotional support for one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic and interesting neighborhoods. OCD services a 22-block area bounded by Florist Street to the north, Walnut/Dock Streets to the south, 6th Street to the west and Front Street to the east.

OCD’s mission is to improve Philadelphia's historic district as a place for people to meet, work, shop and live.

Job Description: The Policy & Outreach Coordinator works closely with the Executive Director to lead efforts supporting business retention and attraction, build relationships with property and business owners, and advance the economic vitality of Old City. This role blends data analysis, business support, policy engagement, and grant coordination, making it ideal for someone who is organized, community-minded, and passionate about neighborhood development. Key responsibilities include:

Economic Development & Business Attraction:

• Use data tools, such as Placer.ai, to aggregate, summarize, and interpret trending metrics and stats to create reports for brokers and OCD staff.
• Maintain and report on internal data sources such as OCD’s storefront inventory and pedestrian traffic counters.
• Draft and distribute a monthly commercial real estate newsletter in Constant Contact, tailored to brokers and showcasing available properties and market insights.
• Maintain an online database of available commercial properties.
• Field inquiries about available commercial space.

Policy & Government Relations:

• Identify and develop policy solutions emanating from long-term vision plans and day-to-day challenges within the District; draft memorandum and potential legislative solutions regarding same.
• Monitor relevant public calendars (including City Council, Historic Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment).
• Work with government officials and staff, and participate in briefings and hearings.
• Assist with drafting testimony for City Council hearings related to public space policies.
• Manage the legislative process for OCD Board appointments.
• Manage OCD’s Registered Community Organization (RCO) meetings, including scheduling meetings, coordinating between applicants/counsel and the RCO chairs, drafting and sending the RCO newsletter, recording votes and public comment, and drafting RCO meeting reports.

Business Support & Outreach:

• Serve as a liaison between OCD businesses and local government, maintaining a working knowledge of business support and funding sources.
• Serve as the first point of contact for incoming businesses, owning the relationship and connecting them to OCD services, City Commerce Department grants (e.g., the Storefront Improvement Program), and key City stakeholders to support a successful opening.
• Assist businesses in navigating city permit and licensing requirements such as signage, sidewalk cafes, trash removal, and others.
• Maintain up-to-date business contact and property databases.
• Work with the Senior Marketing Manager to coordinate business promotions, spotlights, and/or sign-ups for events and programs.

Grant Writing & Management:

• Manage all grant activity for OCD and the Old City Community Fund (“OCCF”), OCD’s affiliate community development corporation. Responsibilities may include identifying funding opportunities, drafting and submitting proposals, and tracking compliance and reporting deadlines.
• Oversee the annual renewal process for the CDC Tax Credit program.

Strategic Planning and Long-Term Projects:

Manage neighborhood strategic visioning process, including but not limited to:

• Coordinate with consultants to manage deliverables and ensure alignment with project timelines.
• Manage steering committees by organizing meetings, preparing agendas and materials, tracking follow-ups, and supporting effective decision-making.
• Facilitate public meetings by planning and leading community engagement sessions, gathering feedback, and synthesizing input for the planning process.
• Assist in quantitative research by conducting data collection and analysis on demographics, economic indicators, and other metrics to inform recommendations.

Operational/Administrative:

• Coordinate Economic Development Committee meetings, including managing the meeting schedule, drafting agendas and minutes, and undertaking research and implementation to support the Committee’s initiatives.
• Record meeting minutes for the OCD Board meetings.
• Represent OCD at meetings and events.
• Field inquiries from local businesses and residents.
• Assist and work at all Old City District events, including but not limited to: OCD’s Annual Meeting, Old City Wedding Stroll, Old City Eats Block Party, and holiday events.
• Conduct additional operational and administrative tasks as needed at the direction of the Executive Director.

Required Skills/Background: We are looking for someone with demonstrated organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written). Additionally, qualified candidates should have:

• Effective communication skills, including excellent grammar and writing skills.
• Working knowledge of city and state government processes and procedures—knowledge of Philadelphia zoning Code and processes a plus.
• Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple responsibilities; good organizational skills.
• Ability to engage and effectively interact with business owners and members of the OCD’s Board of Directors, both one-on-one and in meetings.
• Ability to work independently, and as an effective team player.
• Knowledge and familiarity with ArcGIS, Placer.ai and Tableau is a plus.

Old City District offers competitive benefits, including:

• Comprehensive health coverage for employees, including vision and dental insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Hybrid work option after 90 days

Candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to [email protected] . The salary for this position is $55,000.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Working Hours: OCD’s office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, excluding holidays. This role is also expected to work at additional times, as appropriate, to attend meetings and events.

Sedentary work: Exertion of physical strength to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 10 pounds. Work involves sitting most of the time. Also requires mobility to visit business establishments in Old City, and to attend in-person meetings in local area.

Visual Acuity: Worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; participating in online meetings including by Zoom; extensive reading.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform and the employee may be required to perform additional duties. Additionally, management reserves the right to review and revise the job description at any time. Benefits are subject to change in accordance with OCD policy and applicable law.

Employees must be able to satisfactorily perform all of the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation. If an accommodation request would cause an undue hardship or a safety concern, the individual may not be eligible for the position.

The Old City District values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity employer. Old City District 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.