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Director Program Management Jobs in San Rafael, CA

The ideal candidate will have at least 9 years of multidisciplinary experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years of direct program management in drug development.

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Director Program Management information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$35.7K

$121.6K

$204K

How much do director program management jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director program management in San Rafael, CA is $121,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $129,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a director of program management typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

Directors of Program Management play a pivotal role in aligning cross-functional teams—such as engineering, product, marketing, and operations—to ensure that complex projects are delivered on time and within scope. They facilitate regular communication, resolve interdepartmental conflicts, and coordinate resources to keep everyone moving toward shared goals. This role often requires balancing strategic oversight with hands-on problem-solving, as well as fostering a collaborative culture that enables team members to contribute their expertise effectively. Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills are essential to proactively address challenges and maintain momentum across multiple initiatives.

What does a director of program management do?

A Director of Program Management oversees multiple projects or programs within an organization, ensuring they align with the company's strategic goals. They are responsible for setting priorities, allocating resources, and managing teams of project managers. This role involves coordinating across departments, mitigating risks, and ensuring that programs are delivered on time and within budget. Directors of Program Management also communicate with executive leadership and stakeholders to report on progress and outcomes.

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

To thrive as a Director of Program Management, you need extensive experience in program and project management, a relevant degree (often in business or engineering), and proven leadership abilities. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, and portfolio management software, along with certifications such as PMP or PgMP, is typically required. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the effective delivery of complex initiatives, alignment with organizational goals, and strong cross-functional collaboration.
What are the most commonly searched types of Program Management jobs in San Rafael, CA? The most popular types of Program Management jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Director Program Management jobs in San Rafael, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Program Management jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Director Program Management jobs? Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Director Program Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Program Management job openings in San Rafael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,564 per year, or $58.4 per hour.

Director, Program Management

Jobtailor

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Responsibilities
  • Provide Program Management expertise and leadership to advance Kyverna’s novel engineered T cell therapies.
  • Manage one or more highly complex cross‑functional development programs and/or high‑profile partnerships.
  • Effectively communicate with program team members, Senior Leadership Team, Functional Heads, and key stakeholders.
  • Track and monitor key milestones and decision points to drive delivery of program objectives.
  • Develop and maintain program management tools to support governance, integrated timelines, KPSs and risk tracking, as well as the communication of program KPIs, risks, and achievements.
  • Lead or participate in initiatives to build operational efficiency, company culture, and business processes.
  • Translate program strategy into integrated cross‑functional timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
  • Drive execution against critical path activities and ensure accountability for program timelines and deliverables.
  • Manage the interfaces between functional areas and ensure effective handoff and communication between department functions to execute on important program milestones.
  • Influence cross‑functional stakeholders to align on priorities, resolve conflicts, and drive decision‑making in a matrixed environment.
  • Establish and support program governance forums, including team meetings and leadership updates; ensure decisions, risks, and actions are clearly documented and tracked.
  • Proactively identify program risks, issues, and dependencies; develop mitigation strategies and escalations as appropriate.
  • May be responsible for recruiting and supervising one or more Project Management Associates.
Requirements
  • A minimum of a BA/BS plus 12 years of experience in a scientific discipline is required; an advanced degree (Ph.D., MS, MD) and/or PMP certification is preferred.
  • The ideal candidate will have at least 9 years of multidisciplinary experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years of direct program management in drug development.
  • Experience applying the principles, concepts, practices, and standards of program and project management for drug development.
  • Strong understanding of the drug development lifecycle, including clinical, regulatory, and CMC domains.
  • Ability to understand and communicate scientific and business elements associated with Kyverna’s engineered T cell therapies.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop relationships with key stakeholders, and good conflict management skills.
  • Strong communication skills (in person and written) and the ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
  • Proven ability to proactively identify risks and drive resolution of issues.
  • Proven success in goal setting, prioritization, and time management.
  • Results‑oriented, detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to perform and be adaptive in a fast‑paced environment under tight deadlines.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
  • Strong understanding of FDA regulatory processes and clinical trials is required.
  • Experience supporting late‑stage clinical development and regulatory submissions is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with gene or cell therapy development programs is a strong preference.
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