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Director Level Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Director Level information

What does a director level position entail?

A Director-level position typically involves leading a department or a significant function within an organization. Directors are responsible for setting strategic goals, managing budgets, overseeing teams or managers, and ensuring that their area aligns with the company’s overall objectives. They play a critical role in decision-making and often report to Vice Presidents or C-suite executives. Directors must have strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, as well as significant experience in their field.

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

To thrive as a Director, you need strong leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making skills, typically supported by a relevant degree and significant managerial experience. Familiarity with project management tools, data analytics platforms, and budgeting systems is often required, along with relevant industry certifications. Exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and mentor teams are standout soft skills in this role. These qualifications are crucial for driving organizational goals, leading high-performing teams, and effectively navigating complex business challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by directors when leading cross-functional teams?

Directors often oversee cross-functional teams, which means collaborating with professionals from various departments, each with their own priorities and working styles. One common challenge is aligning diverse teams around shared objectives while managing potential conflicts or communication barriers. Directors must also ensure consistent progress by setting clear goals, facilitating collaboration, and maintaining transparency across the team. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a strategic mindset.

What is the difference between Director Level vs Manager Level?

AspectDirector LevelManager Level
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, overseeing multiple teams, setting company-wide goalsTeam supervision, project management, implementing strategies
Required CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees and extensive experienceOften requires a bachelor's degree and relevant experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive meetings, cross-department collaborationTeam meetings, project coordination
Industry UsageCommon in corporate, non-profit, and government sectorsWidespread across various industries including retail, tech, and healthcare

The main difference between Director Level and Manager Level roles lies in scope and strategic influence. Directors focus on high-level planning and organizational goals, while Managers handle day-to-day team operations. Understanding these distinctions helps in career planning and job search strategies.

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

The most popular types of Level jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Level jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Level job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Level job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Industrial Security Director - Level 1

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Redondo Beach, CA

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: Top SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

If forging a secure future excites you, look no further! Northrop Grumman's Space Sector provides an arena where your passion for innovation and quest for exploration are welcome. As an Industrial Security Director - Level 1, your role at Redondo Beach, CA will be pivotal in supporting missions critical to national and global security. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

The Industrial Security Director - Level 1 will be an innovative leader who can drive the Intelligence Systems Division (ISD) security strategy and implementation to its next level of maturity. They will partner closely with our government customers, business partners and internal customers. This individual must establish a modernized and sustainable strategy that is aligned to business objectives and the infrastructure requirements to support them. This will be a highly-visible role internally and externally. It will be important to ensure the ISD Industrial Security Director - Level 1 effectively delivers and executes a strategy that will maintain the integrity of the business and the clients they serve.

In this highly visible role, you will drive the ISD division SAP/SCI security strategy, partner closely with Government customers and senior Northrop Grumman leadership, and ensure that security capabilities mature in step with mission and business needs.

In this job, you will:

  • Providestrategic leadershipfor all industrial security activities within ISD, with a focus on special programs and SCI operations.
  • Develop and execute asustainable security strategyaligned to business objectives, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure needs.
  • Serve as akey interfacewith Government security leadership, business partners, and internal customers, ensuring security enables mission execution while protecting sensitive information.

Key Responsibilities

  • Security Strategy & Execution
    • Continuously assess security needs; develop, implement, and monitor thedivisionlevel security strategyfor ISD programs.
    • Ensure consistent implementation and compliance withNISPOM, ICDs, DoD manuals, and customerspecific requirements.
    • Own securityrelated budgets, schedules, and performance standards for the division.
  • Leadership & Team Development
    • Lead and develop the ISD security organization, including CPSOs/CSSOs and other security professionals.
    • Recruit, train, and retain ahighperforming, scalable security team, with particular focus on building a pipeline of future special programs leaders.
    • Create energy and engagement at all levels; foster a culture of integrity, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
    • Build strong relationships withsenior leadership, especially within security, information technology, and program management, and across the Northrop Grumman enterprise.
    • Promote strategic relationships between internal resources and external entities, includingGovernment, industry partners, and vendors.
    • Work collaboratively with operating units to understand security issues, negative trends, and compliance challenges; represent the division in engagements with Government stakeholders to address issues and drive resolution.
  • Special Programs & SCI Leadership
    • ProvideSCI and special programs strategy and implementationaligned to Government expectations and business objectives.
    • Engage inbestpractice sharingwith peer organizations and support executivelevel briefings on SAP/SCI security posture and risk.
    • Champion continuous improvement in program protection, CONOPS, OPSEC, and related security disciplines.

Work Attributes:

  • Senior level understanding of customers' Security Structure and governance for SAP and SCI
  • Exceptional communication skills are necessary to advise and influence the senior management and government officials
  • Strategic leader who can drive a vision while maintaining an execution-oriented culture driving results; an entrepreneurial spirit; ability to serve as a hands-on leader
  • Strong influencing skills to get things done; a collaborative approach with the ability to partner with business leaders across the enterprise to overcome institutional resistance and achieve transformational change
  • Proponent of continuous improvement process and the ability to challenge the status quo
  • Accountability for providing an SCI programs strategy and implementation aligned to government customer expectations and business objectives
  • Skills required to provide insights into sector senior stakeholders
  • High level of personal integrity and the ability to professionally handle confidential matters and demonstrate the appropriate level of judgment and maturity in balanced risk decision making
  • Ability to understand the complex government regulatory environment and how best to navigate within it. Ability to provide thought leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving to the most challenging issues
  • Ability to operate in a highly dynamic environment with the ability to respond and react decisively in a changing set of circumstances and priorities. Ability to quickly assess complex situations and take appropriate action
  • Ability to identify and plan for multi-year opportunities and is prepared to invest time and patience to harvest a long-term, multi-year approach
  • Ability to communicate succinctly and clearly with peers, leadership, direct reports, and outside partner and stakeholders. Able to communicate at all levels up to and including the sector president and senior external customers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal and collaborative skills; and the ability to communicate SCI programs, security, information technology, and risk-related concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to achieve tactical and strategic goals. Project management skills; financial/budget management, scheduling, and resource management

As a leader with integrity, you ensure ethical conduct, balanced results, and partner satisfaction. You respect and nurture growth, fostering a culture of excellence. Skilled in building collaborative teams and customer trust, you communicate well, champion excellence, and embrace change.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of professional experience including people management experience - OR - Master's degree with 8+ years of professional experience including people management experience
  • Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)clearance at time of application
  • Cross-functional experience with demonstrated success leading transformation change in large organizations
  • Experience communicating security related concepts to a broad range of technical and nontechnical audiences; will have to be an articulate and persuasive leader who can serve as an effective member of the senior leadership team
  • Experience successfully implementing change
  • Experience identifying corporate policies, processes, and procedures that are not optimally aligned with business objectives and recommending and implementing changes
  • A track record of assessing threat and vulnerability from a business as well as a technical perspective and the ability to develop and champion affordable, efficient, and timely security architectures and solutions that support growth of the Divisions business
  • Understanding of program protection
  • Thorough understanding of classified programs, including Collateral, Special Access Program (SAP), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) governance, including government governance models, policy, compliance, and existing and planned government infrastructure, applications, and tools that may be leveraged by the company

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Masters degree and 8 years of experience in Industrial Security, to include 8 years in management with experience managing multiple programs/locations.
  • Proven ability and experience collaborating with US Government security leadership in DOD and IC security programs.
  • Experience and direct participation with Government/Industry Security Organizations (ISWG, NDIA, AIA, NCMS, etc.).
  • Possess a breadth of demonstrated business, financial and management skills, knowledge and abilities.

As a leader with integrity, you ensure ethical conduct, balanced results, and partner satisfaction. You respect and nurture growth, fostering a culture of excellence. Skilled in building collaborative teams and customer trust, you communicate well, foster strong teams, and embrace change.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $185,400.00 - $278,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939