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Chief Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

Supervise and support senior internal leaders, including the Chief Program Officer and Senior Director of Finance & Operations, providing coaching and accountability. Operations, Finance, and Systems ...

BEAM Circular

Chief Operating Officer

Modesto, CA · On-site

Supervise and support senior internal leaders, including the Chief Program Officer and Senior Director of Finance & Operations, providing coaching and accountability. Operations, Finance, and Systems ...

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Chief Program Director information

What is a chief program director?

A Chief Program Director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and managing all major programs within an organization. This role involves strategic planning, coordination among various departments, and ensuring that program goals align with the organization's mission and objectives. Chief Program Directors typically lead teams, manage budgets, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs to ensure they deliver desired results. They play a key role in decision-making and often report directly to the CEO or board of directors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief program director?

To thrive as a Chief Program Director, you need extensive experience in program management, strategic planning, and a relevant advanced degree such as an MBA or MPA. Familiarity with project management software, budgeting tools, and performance measurement systems is often required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities help you guide teams and foster collaboration across departments. These skills are critical for ensuring programs align with organizational objectives, deliver impactful results, and adapt to changing priorities.

How does a chief program director typically collaborate with other executive leaders to drive organizational goals?

A Chief Program Director works closely with other executive leaders, such as the CEO, CFO, and department heads, to align program strategies with the organization's overall mission and objectives. This often involves regular strategy meetings, cross-departmental planning sessions, and joint decision-making on resource allocation. Effective collaboration ensures that programs are well-integrated across the organization and that key initiatives receive the support and visibility needed for success. Building strong relationships with peers in leadership also helps to address challenges proactively and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Chief Program Director vs Program Manager?

AspectChief Program DirectorProgram Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., Master’s), extensive experience in program leadership, and industry-specific certificationsUsually holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree with relevant project management certifications (e.g., PMP)
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple programs or departments, strategic planning, high-level decision makingManages specific projects or programs, focuses on execution and delivery
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in nonprofit, government, and large corporate sectorsWidely used across industries including healthcare, tech, and education

The Chief Program Director typically holds higher-level responsibilities, overseeing multiple programs and setting strategic direction, while the Program Manager focuses on managing individual projects within those programs. Both roles require strong leadership and project management skills, but the Chief Program Director operates at a broader, organizational level.

What cities in California are hiring for Chief Program Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chief Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Chief Program Director job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Magnet Program Director

San Francisco, CA • On-site

University of California San Francisco
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees
Learn more about University of California San Franciscoexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

University Of California San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 633 rated colleges and universities

Job description


The Magnet Program Director (MPD) at UCSF Health serves as a key strategist and is responsible for leading, coordinating, and sustaining all aspects of the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program designation and re-designation processes across the health system. Reporting to the System Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), this role provides strategic leadership to advance nursing excellence across the health system by integrating Magnet standards into organizational structures, professional practice models, shared governance, quality outcomes, and nursing engagement initiatives.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 5 years nursing leadership experience in an acute care setting
  • Minimum of 3 years' experience leading or directly supporting Magnet designation or re-designation
  • Master's degree from an accredited Nursing program
  • Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California (CA BRN)
  • Current American Heart Association BLS certification
  • Demonstrated expertise in ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® standards, sources of evidence, and designation processes
  • Advanced knowledge of nurse-sensitive indicators, national benchmarking databases, and performance analytics
  • Strong strategic planning and project management skills
  • Experience conducting organizational gap analyses and implementing system-wide improvement initiatives
  • Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to guide executive decision-making
  • Expertise in shared governance structures and professional practice model implementation
  • Exceptional written communication skills with demonstrated experience in professional document development
  • Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams
  • Strong strategic planning and project management skills

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Doctoral degree from an accredited Nursing program
  • National certification (e.g., ANCC, AONL)

License/Certification:
  • Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California (CA BRN)
  • Current American Heart Association BLS certification

About Us
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

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