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Director Application Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spgi

Associate Director - Application Security

New York, NY · On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Design, implement, and operate application security controls integrated into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring secure software delivery by default. * Embed automated AppSec checks across code, dependencies ...

Trail of Bits

Engineering Director, Application Security

$250K - $300K/yr

Role You will lead Trail of Bits' Application Security practice: a team of 12 security engineers ... Maintain direct relationships with your most important clients. * Staff and grow the practice. Make ...

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Director Application information

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$62K

$143.1K

$191K

How much do director application jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for director application in the United States is $143,112.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,500.00 and $178,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the primary challenges faced by a Director of Application in managing cross-functional teams?

A Director of Application often faces the challenge of aligning diverse teams—such as developers, QA, UX designers, and business analysts—toward common project goals and timelines. Balancing the technical needs of the application with business objectives requires strong communication, prioritization, and conflict resolution skills. Additionally, the Director must ensure efficient collaboration across departments, address resource constraints, and manage stakeholder expectations while maintaining high standards of application performance and security.

How do you get hired as a director?

To get hired as a director, candidates typically need extensive experience in their industry, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven track record of managing teams or projects. Many employers also require a relevant bachelor's degree, with some preferring advanced degrees or certifications such as an MBA. Networking, demonstrating strategic vision, and showcasing successful past initiatives are also important for securing a director position.

What does a Director of Application do?

A Director of Application oversees the strategy, development, and management of software applications within an organization. They lead teams of developers and engineers, set technology goals, and ensure that applications meet business needs efficiently and securely. This role often involves collaborating with other departments, managing budgets, and evaluating the performance of current software solutions. Directors of Application also keep up with industry trends to recommend and implement new technologies that can improve organizational processes.

What jobs make around $100,000 a year?

For a Director Application role, salaries around $100,000 are common in mid- to senior-level positions such as software development managers, project managers, and marketing directors. These roles typically require relevant experience, leadership skills, and sometimes industry-specific certifications. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual qualifications.

Is directing stressful as a job?

Being a director can be stressful due to high responsibilities, tight deadlines, and managing teams. It requires strong leadership, decision-making skills, and the ability to handle pressure in fast-paced environments.

What is the difference between Director Application vs Application Manager?

AspectDirector ApplicationApplication Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree, often with advanced degrees or certifications in project management or related fieldsRequires a bachelor’s degree, often with certifications like PMP or Scrum Master
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in organizations, overseeing application development and deploymentOperational management of application teams, focusing on project execution and delivery
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, tech firms, and enterprises managing multiple applicationsCommon in IT departments, software companies, and service providers

The main difference between a Director Application and an Application Manager lies in scope and focus. Directors typically handle strategic planning and high-level oversight, while Application Managers focus on day-to-day project management and team coordination within the application lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Application, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Application, you need a strong background in software development, project management, and strategic planning, typically supported by a relevant degree and leadership experience. Familiarity with application lifecycle management tools, cloud platforms, and certifications like PMP or Agile/Scrum are often required. Excellent communication, team leadership, and problem-solving skills help you inspire teams and manage cross-functional projects. These competencies ensure successful delivery of business-critical applications and alignment with organizational goals.

What is a director of applications?

A director of applications is a senior management role responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of software applications within an organization. They coordinate teams of developers and IT professionals, set strategic goals, and ensure that applications meet business needs and security standards. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and project management skills are essential for this position.
What cities are hiring for Director Application jobs? Cities with the most Director Application job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Application jobs? The most popular types of Application jobs are:
What states have the most Director Application jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Application jobs include:
Director Application jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Application job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,112 per year, or $68.8 per hour.
Director, Application Engineering

Director, Application Engineering

Bright Horizons

Newton Center, MA

$170K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Bright Horizons rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 292 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 197 rated education and training

Job description

The Director, Application Engineering leads the strategy, architecture, and delivery of mobile applications and GenAI-powered capabilities. This role partners closely with Product, Design, Data, Security, and Operations to build reliable, scalable, and usercentric experiences.

The individual will be responsible for managing a highly efficient, effective and successful engineer-driven team that partners with the business to provide outstanding software development and delivery to support for operational systems and related processes.

Bright Horizons is a leading education and care company that helps employees thrive at work and at home by partnering with employers to offer high-quality child care, elder care, and educational support. Our workplace reflects this commitment-with collaborative environments, meaningful benefits, and a culture that supports both career growth and personal well-being. Whether you're caring for children or powering the systems and partnerships that make it all possible, at Bright Horizons, you're the difference.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

  • Mobile and Gen AI Engineering

    • Lead endtoend development and delivery of mobile and AI/GenAI applications using modern engineering practices.

    • Define mobile and GenAI architecture, including modularization, release processes, CI/CD, observability, and platform strategy.

    • Drive AI/GenAI feature development; select models, build pipelines, design evaluation frameworks, optimize latency, and ensure responsible AI usage.

    • Guide teams through technical decisions; remove blockers; promote bestinclass engineering practices.

    • Establish engineering KPIs, quality standards and drive continuous improvement.

    • Own Cloud and AIinference cost governance and resource allocation.

    • Manage staffing strategy and talent development for mobile and GenAI engineering teams.

    • Maintain clear technical documentation and progress reporting for leadership.

  • Product Partnership

    • Translate product strategy into engineering roadmaps, sequencing, and technical tradeoffs.

    • Partner with PMs on KPI creation, prioritization, and customercentric decisions.

    • Work crossfunctionally with design, support, research, operations, and marketing.

    • Communicate engineering impacts in clear, businessaligned language.

  • People Management & Leadership

    • Lead, mentor, and grow engineers, senior ICs, and engineering managers.

    • Build a highperforming culture centered on accountability, collaboration, and modern engineering excellence.

    • Recognize contributions; develop succession plans; guide career development.

    • Influence engineering strategy across the team including architecture, security, data, and cloud teams.

    • Present technical strategy and program updates to executive leadership.

    • Drive enterpriselevel modernization initiatives (mobile platform upgrades, AI adoption, cloud modernization).

    • Exercise independent judgment in technical strategy, staffing, architectural choices, and delivery commitments.

    • Manage risk, compliance, privacy, and AI governance considerations in decision making.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Technology or related field , 3 additional years of experience would be considered in lieu of the applicable degree.

  • 7+ years technical engineering experience with coding for application engineering

  • 5+ years experience and skills in leading engineering teams

  • 3+ years experience and skills in building cloud-based SaaS applications

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 1+ years delivering AI and GenAI applications, including model integration, evaluation, RAG, and deployment

  • 5 years experience and skills in building mobile development and technology (Angular(Ionic), React Native, Flutter or native IOS/Android and similar) or building applications with Python, Perl or similar - Preferred

  • Proven track record delivering mobile or AI powered products at scale.

  • Familiarity with modern LLM providers and tooling (Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, LangSmith, vector databases).

  • Experience with reliability engineering, automated testing, CI/CD, APM/observability, and performance optimization.

  • Experience working with security, privacy, and AI governance requirements.

  • Strong verbal and written communication; able to communicate complex topics to both technical and non technical audiences.

  • Demonstrated success in architectural modernization efforts.

At this time, Bright Horizons will not sponsor an applicant for employment authorization/visa for this position.

Be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We're changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons, you're the difference.

The annual salary for this position is between $170,000 - $215,000 annually. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

This position is also eligible for a bonus and RSUs.

Benefits:

  • Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave

  • 401(k) retirement plan

  • Long-term and short-term disability insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Money-saving discounts and financial planning tools

  • Tuition assistance and education coaching

  • Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness

Life at Bright Horizons:

At Bright Horizons, you're more than your job title -you're the difference. Whether you're nurturing a child's first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We're a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future - for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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