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Associate Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Working with autonomy, an Associate Director is responsible for planning and executing departmental strategies, engaging and communicating with influential stakeholders, and building coalitions and ...

Associate Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Associate Director - Los Angeles Level: Entry Position Type: Full Time Education Level: 4 Year Degree Description Reports To: Deputy Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Duties and Responsibilities: The ...

Associate Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$23 - $26/hr

Associate Director - Los Angeles Level: Entry Position Type: Full Time Education Level: 4 Year Degree Description Reports To: Deputy Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Duties and Responsibilities: The ...

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Showing results 1-20

Associate Director information

See California salary details

$30.1K

$101.4K

$170.7K

How much do associate director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director in California is $101,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $139,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate director?

An Associate Director is a mid- to senior-level management professional who assists the Director in overseeing a department or division within an organization. They help develop strategic plans, manage teams, and ensure projects and initiatives align with organizational goals. Associate Directors often serve as a bridge between upper management and staff, taking on both leadership and operational responsibilities. Their role may also involve budgeting, performance evaluations, and representing the department in meetings. The specific duties can vary depending on the industry and organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate director?

To thrive as an Associate Director, you need strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with budgeting software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools is often required, along with certifications like PMP depending on the sector. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and decision-making abilities help drive teams and projects forward while building strong stakeholder relationships. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring organizational goals are met efficiently and for successfully managing complex initiatives across departments.

How does an associate director typically balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational responsibilities?

Associate Directors are often tasked with both setting long-term strategies and ensuring smooth daily operations. Balancing these responsibilities requires effective time management, delegation, and constant communication with their teams. They usually spend part of their week in meetings focused on organizational goals and performance metrics, while allocating time to oversee project execution and resolve immediate challenges. This dual focus allows them to ensure that their team's work aligns with broader company objectives and that operational issues are addressed promptly.

What is the difference between Associate Director vs Project Manager?

AspectAssociate DirectorProject Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees or certifications in management or industry-specific fieldsBachelor's degree, PMP or similar project management certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing departments, collaborating with senior leadershipPlanning, executing, and closing projects within scope, time, and budget
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in corporate, nonprofit, and academic settings for leadership rolesWidely used across industries for managing specific projects

While both roles require strong organizational skills, the Associate Director focuses on strategic oversight and departmental leadership, whereas the Project Manager concentrates on executing specific projects. The Associate Director typically has broader responsibilities and higher-level decision-making authority.

Is an associate director a high position?

An associate director is a senior management role that typically involves overseeing departments or projects and supporting the director. It is considered a high-level position within organizations, often requiring leadership skills and industry experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Director jobs in California?

The most popular types of Director jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Director jobs in California?

For Associate Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,382 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

$85/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


University Of Southern California rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The USC Office of Admission is seeking an Associate Director (Associate Director for Transfer) to join our team.

The Associate Director manages the staff and operations of a USC recruitment and Admission Office program.

Position Overview

This role will lead the organization in all parts of the transfer process. The selected candidate will be expected to develop and implement marketing plans, strategies and materials aimed at enhancing recruitment specifically of transfer students. They will oversee the transfer application review process. In addition, the associate director is a member of the undergraduate admission management team.

Staff Management

This role:

Recruits, screens, hires, trains, schedules and assigns work.
Assesses performance and provides feedback.
Counsels or disciplines as needed.
Identifies and recommends opportunities for staff training and professional growth.

Program and Admissions Responsibilities

The Associate Director sets goals and objectives for assigned territory, and measures performance against objectives.

Additional responsibilities include:

Recommends changes or enhancements to existing programs based on continuous feedback and evaluation.
Reviews caseloads of applications and monitors progress of counselors.
Reviews applications and makes admissions decisions particularly in borderline cases.
Counsels applicants on admission policies and procedures.
Evaluates and offers solutions to applicant problems and requests regarding admission.
Applies transfer credit guidelines in review and assessment of applications as appropriate.
Resolves difficult problems referred by others and provides technical guidance, as required.
Provides policy interpretation and review - and decides exception requests as deemed appropriate.

Marketing, Outreach and Representation

The selected candidate will:

Identify marketing messages and ensure incorporation in presentations and publications.
Plan and make public presentations as part of outreach efforts.
Represent USC and assigned programs to students, parents, alumni, high school and community college counselors.
Maintain professional currency through active participation and leadership in associations and committees - both internal and external to the university.

Qualifications and Experience

We are seeking experienced candidates with proven knowledge of best practices in undergraduate recruitment and admission.

Qualified candidates will possess demonstrated experience and understanding of the national landscape of college admissions.

The selected candidate should have experience using data, evaluating the marketplace and analyzing for results and trends in undergraduate recruitment.

This position reports to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Admission.

Additional Information

The Associate Director performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Application Requirements

Please submit cover letter and resume as part of your application.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Values.

The salary range for this position is $85, 000 - $95,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

#LI-AW1

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree,
Minimum Experience: 3 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Lead or supervisory recruitment and admissions experience with knowledge of financial aid policies.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

  • Notice of Non-discrimination
  • Employment Equity
  • Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
  • USC is a smoke-free environment
  • Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$151404.htmld

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About University of Southern California

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Southern California (USC) is not a conventional company, but a private research university established in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, US. Founded in 1880, it's one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC operates in the education industry providing primary services of higher education, research, and community development. This prestigious institution offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is guided by its commitment to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and discovery through academic excellence.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles , CA, US

Year founded

1880