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Director Project Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Gilead

Director, Project Management

Foster City, CA

$226K - $292K/yr

As a Director, Project Management at Gilead you will lead high-priority U.S. Commercial strategic initiatives and serve as a strategic advisor to leaders across Business Units and functions. The ...

Gilead

Director, Project Management

Foster City, CA · On-site

$226K - $292K/yr

As a Director, Project Management at Gilead you will lead high-priority U.S. Commercial strategic initiatives and serve as a strategic advisor to leaders across Business Units and functions. The ...

Essc

Director, Project Management Office

Ontario, CA

Experience in Demand Management and Strategic Planning in a formal and/or centralized PMO environment with a working knowledge of Project Management principles. EXEPECTED NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 4 ...

Essc

Director, Project Management Office

Covina, CA · On-site

Experience in Demand Management and Strategic Planning in a formal and/or centralized PMO environment with a working knowledge of Project Management principles. EXEPECTED NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 4 ...

Essc

Director, Project Management Office

Oxnard, CA

Experience in Demand Management and Strategic Planning in a formal and/or centralized PMO environment with a working knowledge of Project Management principles. EXEPECTED NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 4 ...

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All JobsProject Management JobsDirector Project Management JobsDirector Project Management Jobs in California

Director Project Management information

See California salary details

$17.8K

$122.8K

$180.6K

How much do director project management jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for director project management in California is $122,750.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,700.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Director of Project Management, you need deep expertise in project management methodologies, leadership, budgeting, and a proven track record of delivering complex projects, often backed by a bachelor’s or master’s degree and PMP or similar certification. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project, Jira, or Asana), resource planning tools, and risk management systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and negotiation skills help you lead teams, manage stakeholders, and drive organizational goals. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.

How does a Director of Project Management typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

A Director of Project Management plays a pivotal role in facilitating communication and alignment between various departments, such as engineering, marketing, and finance. They often lead regular meetings, set clear expectations, and help resolve interdepartmental conflicts to keep projects on track. Collaboration tools, status reports, and dashboards are commonly used to maintain transparency and ensure all stakeholders are informed. By fostering a culture of open communication and accountability, Directors help teams work efficiently toward shared project goals.

What is the difference between Director Project Management vs Project Manager?

AspectDirector Project ManagementProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, and department leadershipManages individual projects, coordinates tasks, and ensures project delivery
Required CredentialsTypically requires PMP, PMI-SP, or PgMP certifications; extensive experienceOften requires PMP or CAPM certification; relevant experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic, often in corporate or large organizationsOperational, team-focused, often in various industries
ScopeBroader organizational impact, long-term planningSpecific project deliverables, short to medium term

The main difference between a Director Project Management and a Project Manager lies in scope and responsibilities. The Director oversees multiple projects and strategic initiatives, while the Project Manager focuses on executing individual projects. Both roles often require PMP certification and experience, but the Director's role is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

What does a Director of Project Management do?

A Director of Project Management oversees all project management activities within an organization, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. They lead project management teams, develop and implement project management policies and methodologies, and align projects with organizational goals. This role often involves resource allocation, stakeholder communication, risk management, and mentoring project managers. The Director also monitors project performance and provides strategic guidance for continuous improvement.

What Does a Project Management Director Do?

The responsibilities of a project management director involve the development of a strategy on behalf of a company or organization. They determine the scope of each project, including goals, timeline, budget, and objective. During the planning process, they often collaborate with people in each department. Other duties include overseeing teams assigned to different projects and encouraging development in certain areas on behalf of the organization. Qualifications to become a project management director include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, IT, or a related field as well as experience. Voluntary professional certifications are available.

More about Director Project Management jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Management jobs in California? The most popular types of Project Management jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Project Management jobs in California? For Director Project Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Project Management jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Director Project Management jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Project Management jobs? Cities in California with the most Director Project Management job openings:
Director Project Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Project Management job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,750 per year, or $59 per hour.
Director, Project Management

Director, Project Management

Citrus Health Group, Inc

Azusa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Citrus Health Group is a new type of agency that brings an empathetic patient focus to the new product commercialization process. Citrus creates hand-picked teams that provide clients with scientific, clinical, pharmacologic, evidence-generation, pricing and reimbursement, market access, affordability, and patient support expertise and experience in their time of need. Client teams are built with talented experts who function as a fluid, agile, and highly energized team.
We are passionate about science; our focus is to effectively communicate science in compelling and engaging ways to drive true value and enable patients to gain access to new medicines. We do so with the highest level of integrity and respect for the ethical nature of our business.
We invite you to join our talented team of dedicated professionals, working closely together to provide the services our clients need, at the time they need them. We are driven by one word, RESPECT. We respect each other, we respect our clients, and we respect the professionals we work with on behalf of our clients. We value every team member and strive for an inclusive and collaborative culture that fosters the best in everyone.
About the Opportunity
The Director, Project Management is responsible for advancing project management excellence across multiple client accounts and internal teams. This role shifts beyond managing individual projects to driving operational health, standardization, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Working in close partnership with Client Services, Scientific Services, Creative, and Operations leadership, the Director, Project Management supports scalable execution practices, mentors project management talent, and ensures consistent delivery of high-quality client work. The role serves as a key resource for solving complex operational challenges, implementing new processes and tools, and strengthening cross-functional collaboration.
The Director, Project Management maintains ownership of at least one strategic client account while providing project management support across the business as operational needs arise.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Account Leadership
  • Lead the project managers across multiple accounts, ensuring operational consistency, efficiency, and executional excellence.
  • Partner with Client Services on project scoping, timeline development, budget planning, and operational strategy.
  • Provide project management support during new client onboarding, account transitions, staffing gaps, or other business-critical situations.
  • Ensure project execution aligns with agency standards while maintaining exceptional client service.
  • Identify risks and implement proactive solutions to maintain quality, profitability, and client satisfaction.
  • Champion cross-functional collaboration and establish best practices that create consistency across departments.

Team Leadership & Development
  • Directly manage and develop a team of 1-3 Project Managers.
  • Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development to direct reports.
  • Train project management team members on departmental standards, SOPs, project planning methodologies, and agency best practices.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

Process & Department Development
  • Support the SVP, Operations in developing, implementing, and continuously refining project management standards and departmental SOPs.
  • Lead adoption of new project management tools, systems, and workflows across the organization.
  • Drive consistency in project planning, reporting, documentation, and operational governance.
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process optimization, automation, and enhanced collaboration.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • 8+ years of project management experience within a medical communications, healthcare communications, pharmaceutical advertising, or agency environment specifically in the areas of publications and medical affairs.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing project management professionals.
  • Proven success implementing and improving operational processes, SOPs, and scalable workflows.
  • Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of project scoping, budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and financial management.
  • Experience supporting organizational change initiatives, including implementation of new project management tools or operational systems.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to influence across teams and drive alignment without direct authority.
  • Proficiency with project management platforms, resource planning tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and collaboration software.

Citrus Health Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service, or any other class protected by state or federal law.

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