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Associate Director Program Management Jobs in Encinitas, CA

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Associate Director Program Management information

See Encinitas, CA salary details

$26.9K

$56.2K

$97.2K

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

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director program management in Encinitas, CA is $56,239.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,000.00 and $63,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

Is an associate director a high position?

An Associate Director in program management is considered a senior-level role that typically reports to directors or executives. It involves overseeing projects, managing teams, and contributing to strategic planning, reflecting a high level of responsibility within an organization.

What does an associate director 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.

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 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 job categories do people searching Associate Director Program Management jobs in Encinitas, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Director Program Management jobs in Encinitas, CA are:
What cities near Encinitas, CA are hiring for Associate Director Program Management jobs? Cities near Encinitas, CA with the most Associate Director Program Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Director Program Management job openings in Encinitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,239 per year, or $27 per hour.

Director, Program Management

Vividion Therapeutics, Inc

San Diego, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Description

Company Overview: 


Vividion is a next generation biotechnology company based in San Diego that is leveraging its proprietary chemical proteomics platform to conduct proteome-wide footprinting of drug-protein interactions with unprecedented breadth and precision. Our technology allows us to screen, identify and optimize novel drugs that selectively bind virtually any protein, including proteins previously considered "undruggable". Our pipeline and emerging programs reflect a matured and productive platform capable of delivering first in class drugs utilizing novel mechanisms of action (allosteric inhibitors, protein-protein interaction inhibitors, functional activators, degraders etc.) against undruggable targets in the oncology and immunology space.


We prize scientific excellence, creativity, team players and we are committed to continued innovation. We have worked hard to create a collaborative and dynamic work culture where your ideas and discoveries are valued and will have an impact. We are growing and there are opportunities for mentorship and career progression.


Vividion has been recognized as a Top Workplace by The San Diego Union-Tribune from 2022 to 2025.


Job Summary:


The Director, Program Management provides strategic and operational leadership for one or more cross-functional drug development programs from candidate selection through clinical development and commercialization planning. This individual serves as a core member of the Product Team and a strategic partner to the Product Team Lead (PTL), enabling execution of the integrated development strategy through robust planning, governance, decision support, risk management, and team effectiveness.


The Director, Program Management is responsible for translating program strategy into integrated executable plans, ensuring cross-functional alignment, driving accountability for deliverables and milestones, and enabling timely, high-quality decision-making. The role serves as the operational architect of the program, ensuring visibility to critical path activities, key risks, dependencies, and strategic tradeoffs across functions.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:


Strategic Program Leadership

  • Partner with the PTL and functional leaders to develop and maintain integrated development plans aligned with corporate and portfolio strategy.
  • Facilitate cross-functional alignment on program objectives, priorities, milestones, and development strategy.
  • Develop and evaluate strategic options, scenarios, and decision frameworks to support program progression and governance decisions.
  • Anticipate program risks, opportunities, and resource constraints and translate them into actionable recommendations.
  • Support development of governance-ready recommendations, including analysis of timeline, budget, resource, and risk implications. 

Program Planning and Execution

  • Own development and maintenance of integrated program timelines and critical paths spanning Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, CMC, Biometrics, Translational Sciences, Quality, Commercial, and Finance.
  • Ensure dependencies across functions are identified, managed, and communicated.
  • Monitor program performance against milestones and proactively drive mitigation and recovery plans when risks or delays emerge.
  • Establish clear accountability for deliverables, decisions, and action items across the Product Team.
  • Drive operational excellence and execution rigor throughout the program lifecycle. 

Governance and Decision Enablement

  • Lead preparation for governance reviews, executive updates, portfolio reviews, and key program inflection points.
  • Coordinate development of decision packages, recommendations, and briefing materials.
  • Ensure communications clearly articulate tradeoffs, options, assumptions, risks, and recommended actions.
  • Maintain transparency around critical program decisions and associated outcomes.
  • Support readiness for major development milestones, data readouts, regulatory interactions, and investment decisions. 

Risk and Portfolio Management

  • Establish and maintain program management processes (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies, and Decisions).
  • Facilitate proactive identification and mitigation of program risks.
  • Evaluate potential impacts to timeline, cost, scope, quality, and portfolio priorities.
  • Collaborate with Finance and functional leaders on scenario planning and forecast assessments.
  • Escalate issues and recommendations appropriately to leadership and governance bodies. 

Team Leadership and Communication

  • Drive Product Team effectiveness through disciplined meeting management, decision tracking, and follow-through.
  • Facilitate productive discussions across diverse technical disciplines while fostering alignment and accountability.
  • Serve as a trusted partner to senior leaders and functional representatives.
  • Support continuous improvement of program management tools, processes, governance models, and best practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications:

  • BS/MS/PhD in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 10+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience.
  • 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional drug development programs.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the drug development lifecycle from discovery through registration.
  • Experience supporting regulatory submissions, clinical development, CMC, and governance processes.
  • Strong knowledge of program planning methodologies, portfolio management principles, and risk management frameworks.
  • Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Oncology drug development experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience supporting programs through IND and early clinical development milestones.
  • Experience in both small biotechnology and matrixed organizational environments.
  • PMP certification and/or MBA desirable.

Critical Success Factors

The successful candidate will:

  • Think strategically while driving operational execution.
  • Influence without authority across complex matrix organizations.
  • Translate ambiguity into actionable plans.
  • Enable rapid, high-quality decision making.
  • Build trust and alignment across functions.
  • Drive accountability without becoming the decision maker.
  • Maintain focus on critical path, risk mitigation, and achievement of program milestones. 
Pay & Benefits:


The anticipated annual base salary for this position ranges from $210,000 to $235,000 depending on relevant skills, experience, and education. In addition, this position is eligible for target bonus, long-term-incentives, 401k retirement savings plan with company match, and a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.


EEO & Employment Eligibility:


Vividion Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.


Privacy Policy:


The protection of your personal information is a commitment we take seriously. For information regarding our Privacy Policy (CA candidates) please visit https://vividion.com/publication/privacy-noticeforcalifornia-candidates/.