The City of Philadelphia is working to expand comprehensive first-time homeownership opportunities and increase housing supply through multiple innovative housing programs, such as the Turn the Key Neighborhoods Program, which transforms vacant, city-owned lots into affordable homes. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work with a team of content experts to develop strategic recommendations and pilot solutions to strengthen and scale up city operations and programs, addressing land acquisition and disposition challenges, permitting and zoning barriers, and developer capacity. This will support Philadelphia’s broader strategy to deliver 30,000 affordable housing units by 2030, increasing the supply of affordable housing, reducing racial disparities in homeownership, and promoting long-term neighborhood stability and economic mobility in historically underserved communities.

Fellowship Dates: October 27, 2025 – October 23, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Philadelphia faces a significant challenge in housing affordability, which disproportionately affects low- to moderate-income residents, especially families and communities of color. Historic factors, including redlining, discriminatory lending practices, and disinvestment, have contributed to lower homeownership rates in these communities compared to white households, limiting opportunities for generational wealth-building. Addressing these disparities through targeted interventions is essential to preventing further displacement, increasing neighborhood stability, and narrowing the racial wealth gap. The City’s continued efforts toward expanding affordable housing present a vital opportunity to work together on solutions that will help secure long-term economic mobility for all residents.

The City of Philadelphia has taken several steps to address these disparities through a combination of housing initiatives and policy reforms aimed at promoting affordable homeownership and neighborhood revitalization. As part of the city’s efforts, the Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development (“DPD”) will embark on a strategic and analytical planning process to develop a three-year uniform strategic plan and performance report. The three-year uniform strategic plan will assist DPD, the Philadelphia Land Bank, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and the Department of Public Property with the acquisition, maintenance, and disposition of properties. The Uniform Strategic Plan and Performance Reports are required by Chapter 16-406 of the Philadelphia Code (“Surplus Property Ordinance”). The Plan shall inform the acquisition, maintenance, and disposition of surplus property for the following three-year period.

Philadelphia will partner with FUSE to facilitate the strategic planning process, which will assist the city in strengthening and scaling up housing supply, providing affordable homeownership opportunities, and advancing equitable growth. The FUSE Executive Fellow will be an integral part of DPD’s efforts to conduct a market analysis and engage key stakeholders towards developing a scale-up strategy to streamline land acquisition and disposition, address zoning barriers, and increase inter-agency efficiencies. Ultimately, this will contribute to the city’s long-term vision of increasing affordable housing supply, reducing racial disparities in homeownership, and building vibrant, resilient communities for all residents.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Beginning in October 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work closely with DPD, the Philadelphia Land Bank, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, third-party consultants, and the Department of Public Property to expand equitable, affordable homeownership opportunities in Philadelphia. This will help with Philadelphia’s broader strategy to achieve 30,000 affordable housing units by 2030, thereby reducing racial disparities in homeownership and promoting economic stability for all residents.

The fellow is expected to work closely with and participate in regular meetings with the DPD, Land Bank, Redevelopment Authority, and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (“PCPC”).

The fellow shall report to DPD on a regular basis regarding the status of the project and its progress. Reporting will happen at a minimum via weekly or biweekly progress meetings. The fellow will engage in a collaborative, data-driven process, which seeks to leverage and align the work of the DPD with the City’s affordable housing and other plans including, the City’s Assessment of Fair Housing, the City’s Housing Action Plan, the City’s Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan, PCPC’s Citywide Vision, the Philadelphia 2035 Plan and, where available, district plans, and a number of other data resources as requested by DPD.

The fellow will assist in organizing a kickoff meeting that proposes a detailed work plan, sets meeting and deadline schedules, and confirms project milestones.


KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor: John Mondlak, Chief of Staff, City of Philadelphia
  • Project Supervisor: Mark Dodds, Interim Deputy Director, Division of Housing and Community Development, City of Philadelphia

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.