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Associate Director Program Management Jobs in California

$160K - $230K/yr

The Director of Program Management will oversee the Program Management Team. This role is a primary and critical customer interface, and is accountable for driving and achieving program success and ...

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Associate Director Program Management information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$51.7K

$89.3K

How much do associate director program management jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director program management in California is $51,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,500.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Director Program Management, and why are they important?

To excel as an Associate Director Program Management, you need expertise in project management, strategic planning, and budgeting, often supported by a relevant degree and PMP or similar certification. Familiarity with project management software like Microsoft Project, Jira, or Smartsheet is typically required. Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and effective communication skills help you motivate teams and drive complex initiatives to completion. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring projects align with organizational goals, stay on schedule, and deliver expected results.

What are some typical challenges faced by an Associate Director of Program Management, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Directors of Program Management often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple complex projects, aligning cross-functional teams, and adapting to shifting organizational priorities. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong communication skills, proactive risk management, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders across various departments. Leveraging project management tools, maintaining clear documentation, and regularly reviewing progress with teams can help ensure projects stay on track and objectives are met.

What does an Associate Director of Program Management do?

An Associate Director of Program Management oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of multiple projects or programs within an organization. They work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. Their responsibilities often include strategic planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication. The Associate Director also mentors team members and helps align program goals with the organization’s broader objectives.

Is an associate director a high level position?

An Associate Director in program management is considered a mid- to senior-level position, often responsible for overseeing projects, managing teams, and supporting strategic initiatives. It typically requires several years of experience and may involve leadership skills, with opportunities for advancement to director or higher roles.

What is the difference between Associate Director Program Management vs Project Manager?

AspectAssociate Director Program ManagementProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, stakeholder managementManages individual projects, schedules, deliverables
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's degree, PMP or similar certifications often preferredBachelor's degree, PMP or CAPM certifications common
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-functional teams, higher-level decision makingProject teams, tactical execution, day-to-day management
Industry UsageCommon in corporate, healthcare, tech sectorsWidely used across industries including construction, IT, healthcare

The Associate Director Program Management role focuses on strategic oversight and managing multiple projects, often requiring advanced certifications and experience. In contrast, Project Managers handle specific projects' execution and delivery. Both roles are essential but differ in scope, responsibilities, and level of strategic involvement.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Director Program Management jobs in California? For Associate Director Program Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Director Program Management jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Director Program Management jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Director Program Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Director Program Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Director Program Management job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,674 per year, or $24.8 per hour.
Associate Director, Program Excellence

Associate Director, Program Excellence

Think Together

Santa Maria, CA

$95K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Think Together rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 72 rated education support services


Job description

Overview

Associate Director, Program Excellence

Santa Maria Bonita USD

Founded in 1997, Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids by providing award-winning programs during and outside the school day. We’re one of California’s largest nonprofits working in school districts from San Diego to San Francisco. Whether you’re interested in early learning, elementary, middle or high school, you can invest in your community by working at a local school or working within our home office providing support!

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Programs, the Program Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all programs in the area are delivered with excellence and integrity. This role will specifically focus on attaining program quality and operational metrics and compliances. The Program Director will oversee and lead a team of Site Program Managers, ensuring they maintain strong relationships with school leadership, school support staff, students, staff, and families. Additionally, the Program Director will ensure Site Program Managers deliver high-quality Think Together programming aligned to support district and charter goals, deliverables, and expectations. This role involves strategic and effective oversight of program quality and operations, utilizing data-driven insights from various assessments and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. The Program Director will collaborate across departments to address contract changes and allocate resources effectively, while also focusing on developing and coaching their team to achieve their goals. The Program Director is ultimately responsible for each Site Program Manager to meet all program quality components, operational compliances, and contractual metrics/expectations at each site under their oversight.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

  • Demonstrates, leads by example, and models a positive work environment.
  • Oversee and ensure staff maintain strong relationships with school leadership and families.
  • Holds team accountable for program delivery and operational implementation that adhere to organizational and contractual standards.
  • Provides direction and accountability for the execution of high-quality programming, ensuring alignment with program designs and contracts set by district and charter partners.
  • Immediate communication with Executive Director of Programs on any impacts to contract goals and expectations.
  • Works collaboratively with internal departments to mobilize necessary resources such as staffing, compliance, and training needs.
  • Develop, coach, and hold direct reports accountable to their individual and team goals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Maintains a high-level of confidentiality and will not disclose any sensitive information or content related to staff, partners, program, students, families etc.
  • Hold themselves and their leadership accountable to outcomes, culture, and partner experience.

Program Quality& Operations

  • Monitors, assesses, and ensures the success of the Think Together programs through strong and consistent accountability of meeting standards and goals.
  • Spends a minimum of 85% of the time conducting site visits with the focus to strengthen program quality and operational requirements.
  • Provides ongoing technical assistance supported with on-site and follow up coaching to Site Program Managers.
  • Ensure implementation of a high-quality program incorporating Think Together-selected curricula, behavioral standards, policies, and procedures for ensuring quality content, student safety, and appropriate management practices.
  • Ensures sustainability of all funding sources by complying with mandatory goals set forth by Think together, funding source, e.g., attendance targets (ADA), grants, etc.
  • Meets with school administrators and site staff, at minimum once per month, to ensure program quality, alignment, and customer satisfaction.
  • Foster effective working relationships with all stakeholders and attend school meetings as required for partnership and alignment with school day.
  • Utilize program quality reports, Core Program Assessments, stakeholder surveys, and other metrics to make strategic decisions and develop action plans to enhance program delivery.
  • Conduct daily site walks and monthly one-on-one meetings, monthly staff/team meetings and participate in field coaching to ensure program standards are met, alignment to goals, and staff performance are consistently met.
  • Ensures all sites in their oversight earn/realize 100% of the ADA goals and services.
  • Ensures all sites in their oversight meet Core Program Assessment goals and partner satisfaction goals.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree (BA) in education or related field
  • 4 years in a leadership role and supervisory position
  • Strong communication, collaboration skills, and detail oriented
  • Experience in managing a budget in a professional setting.
  • Experience in leading, coaching, and developing a team of direct reports.
  • Strong track record in leading teams to achieve results through accountability.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and Teams

COMPENSATION: $95,000

Think Together is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

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