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Communications Program Manager Jobs in California

Program Manager

Alameda, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Program Manager (Onsite) Reports to: Chief Operating Officer About Us: Specialized - One Force ... Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. * Proven ability to influence stakeholders and ...

Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Program Manager (Onsite) Reports to: Chief Operating Officer About Us: Specialized - One Force ... Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. * Proven ability to influence stakeholders and ...

Program Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$140 - $193/hr

Communicate program status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to internal leadership ... Experience managing defense and/or space programs under different contract types, including ...

New

Program Manager III

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Overview Project Overview Content Studio's Strategic Operations & Program Management (SO&PM) team sits within the Communications & Public Affairs organization and serves as the operational backbone ...

Program Manager

Poway, CA · On-site

$85K - $130K/yr

Communicate program status to management. * May represent the organization with outside organizations. * Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information. * Identifies issues in ...

Program Manager

Poway, CA · On-site

$85K - $130K/yr

Communicate program status to management. * May represent the organization with outside organizations. * Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information. * Identifies issues in ...

Communicate program status to management. * May represent the organization with outside organizations. * Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information. * Identifies issues in ...

Program Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130 - $165/hr

Technical knowledge is also needed for engineering coordination, effective planning, and customer communication. Program Managers will often have more than one project at any given time. Essential ...

Program Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Technical knowledge is also needed for engineering coordination, effective planning, and customer communication. Program Managers will often have more than one project at any given time. Essential ...

Program Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Technical knowledge is also needed for engineering coordination, effective planning, and customer communication. Program Managers will often have more than one project at any given time. Essential ...

Program Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Technical knowledge is also needed for engineering coordination, effective planning, and customer communication. Program Managers will often have more than one project at any given time. Essential ...

Program Manager 5

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$73.93 - $92.42/hr

Communicate program status, challenges, and dependencies to collaborators at all levels to ensure ... management, software engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience * Strong ...

Program Manager I

Mountain View, CA · Remote

$77.10 - $94.96/hr

If Program Manager sounds like something you would be interested in, and you meet the ... organized communications programs to maintain visibility and engagement with stakeholders. · ...

Program Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90 - $95/hr

Program Manager Full Time Los Angeles, CA, US Salary Range: $90,062.00 To $94,622.00 Annually ... Communicate program objectives, expectations, policies, and procedures to multidisciplinary staff ...

Showing results 21-40

Communications Program Manager information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$120.2K

$156.4K

How much do communications program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for communications program manager in California is $120,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,100.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a communications program manager do?

A Communications Program Manager oversees and coordinates communication strategies and campaigns for an organization or project. Their responsibilities typically include developing messaging, managing internal and external communication channels, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring that all communications align with organizational goals. They may also handle crisis communications, supervise communications staff, and measure the effectiveness of communication initiatives. This role requires strong project management, writing, and interpersonal skills to effectively convey information and support organizational objectives.

How does a communications program manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute communication initiatives?

Communications Program Managers often work closely with marketing, public relations, product, and executive teams to ensure that messaging is consistent and aligned with organizational goals. They facilitate regular meetings, develop integrated communication plans, and coordinate efforts to launch campaigns or internal communications. Effective collaboration requires strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, targeted messaging for various audiences. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for delivering impactful communication programs and achieving desired outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a communications program manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Communications Program Manager, you need expertise in strategic communications, project management, and content development, typically backed by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with communication platforms, project management tools like Asana or Trello, and analytics software is often required. Strong leadership, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills help you effectively coordinate teams and engage stakeholders. These abilities are crucial for delivering impactful communication campaigns that align with organizational goals and drive engagement.

What is the difference between Communications Program Manager vs Communications Specialist?

AspectCommunications Program ManagerCommunications Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field; often requires experience in project managementBachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field; entry-level to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, manages teams, and coordinates with departmentsExecutes communication tasks, creates content, and supports campaigns
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors for managing communication programsCommonly found in marketing agencies, corporate communications, and media outlets

The Communications Program Manager focuses on overseeing communication strategies and managing teams, while the Communications Specialist handles content creation and supports communication efforts. Both roles require strong communication skills, but the Program Manager has broader responsibilities and project oversight.

What are popular job titles related to Communications Program Manager jobs in California?

For Communications Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Communications Program Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Communications Program Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Communications Program Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,215 per year, or $57.8 per hour.

Program Manager

Specialized

Alameda, CA • On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Translate COO and functional leadership priorities into structured program charters, execution plans, and measurable outcomes.

  • Lead program governance activities, track cross-functional dependencies, and proactively identify and resolve risks and operational bottlenecks.

  • Develop standardized reporting and create executive-ready presentations to communicate program status, risks, and business impact.


Job description

Program Manager (Onsite)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer


About Us:

Specialized – One Force. Multiple Front Lines. One Step Ahead.


Specialized delivers integrated security solutions through a portfolio of brands powered by a unified, data-driven platform. Metro One Security provides industry-leading retail security solutions, M1 Global delivers scalable enterprise security services across diverse industries, and Aurix is our proprietary technology platform that enhances prevention, detection, operational visibility, and actionable intelligence. Together, our brands combine operational expertise, advanced technology, and strategic insight to help clients strengthen performance, reduce risk, and protect what matters most.


Position Overview:

The Program Manager plays a critical role in connecting strategy to execution across the functional groups overseen by the Chief Operating Officer. This role translates COO priorities and cross-functional initiatives into structured, measurable programs while providing leadership with clear visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and results.

This is not a traditional single-project management role. The Program Manager will oversee a portfolio of strategic initiatives and work across multiple functional groups, requiring strong program management discipline, executive-level communication, and the ability to influence and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.


Qualifications:

Required

  • Active PMP certification required.
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 5+ years of program and/or project management experience, preferably within corporate operations, professional services, staffing, security services, or a multi-site services environment.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and presenting materials to executive and C-Suite audiences.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to develop executive-ready materials from raw data.
  • Experience with project or portfolio management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday.com, or similar platforms.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive results across departments without formal authority.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Must be willing to participate in the Company's pre-employment screening process and continuously meet all applicable state, county, and municipal requirements.

Preferred

  • MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
  • Experience within security services, staffing, workforce management, or another highly regulated or operationally complex industry.
  • Familiarity with OKR, KPI, or balanced-scorecard frameworks.


Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Alignment & Program Management

  • Translate COO and functional leadership priorities into structured program charters, OKR/KPI frameworks, execution plans, and measurable outcomes.
  • Maintain a portfolio view of COO-sponsored initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, milestones, timelines, and success metrics.
  • Identify gaps between departmental priorities and broader organizational strategy and escalate concerns early.

Governance & Execution

  • Lead program governance activities, including steering committees, working sessions, milestone reviews, and RAID logs.
  • Track cross-functional dependencies across Workforce Operations, Talent Acquisition, Fusion Center Operations, Scheduling/Systems, and other business functions.
  • Proactively identify risks, delays, resource constraints, and operational bottlenecks and partner with stakeholders to drive resolution.
  • Drive accountability through structure, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.

Executive Reporting & Communication

  • Develop standardized reporting for C-Suite and senior leadership, including status updates, dashboards, and quarterly business reviews.
  • Create executive-ready presentations, one-pagers, and dashboards that clearly communicate program status, risks, business impact, and ROI.
  • Translate complex information and data into clear, actionable insights for executive decision-making.

Business Case, Risk & Change Management

  • Support business cases, funding requests, and ROI models for strategic initiatives, technology implementations, organizational changes, and process improvements.
  • Partner with functional leaders to identify legal, compliance, budgetary, operational, and structural risks.
  • Support change management and communication efforts for initiatives impacting multiple departments.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen processes, governance, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.


Pay & Benefits:

  • Salary Range: $140,000–$160,000 per year
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
  • 401(k) plan.
  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement.


We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.