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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Program Manager

El Segundo, CA

$200K - $240K/yr

Program Mgmt Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance ... Champion process improvement and innovation, adapt proven and effective practices to identify ...

Plugandplaytechcenter

Program Manager

Sunnyvale, CA

Plug and Play Tech Center is the ultimate innovation platform, bringing together the best startups ... We're actively seeking a Program Manager in Sunnyvale, CA who is an operational powerhouse ...

Catholic Charities

Program Manager

San Diego, CA

$76K - $78K/yr

Program Manager, Rachel's Promise Center for Women & Children REPORTS TO: Senior Program Manager ... A commitment to innovation and to what is possible. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Ensure that services at ...

Catholic Charities USA

Program Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$76K - $78K/yr

Program Manager, Rachel's Promise Center for Women & Children REPORTS TO: Senior Program Manager ... A commitment to innovation and to what is possible. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Ensure that services at ...

St. Joseph Center

Program Manager

Venice, CA

The Program Manager provides integrated leadership over St. Joseph Center's Digital Technology ... Champion program innovation, continuously evaluating outcomes by cohort and providing consistent ...

St. Joseph Center

Program Manager

Venice, CA

The Program Manager provides integrated leadership over St. Joseph Center's Digital Technology ... Champion program innovation, continuously evaluating outcomes by cohort and providing consistent ...

St. Joseph Center

Program Manager

Venice, CA · On-site

The Program Manager provides integrated leadership over St. Joseph Center's Digital Technology ... Champion program innovation, continuously evaluating outcomes by cohort and providing consistent ...

Apex Systems

Program Manager

Burbank, CA · Hybrid

$85 - $90/hr

AI Program Manager Location: Burbank, CA (Hybrid - 4 days onsite, 1 day remote) Duration: Contract ... When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and ...

BryceTech

Program Manager

El Segundo, CA

... and accelerate innovation. BryceTech has been recognized in the Washington Technology Fast 50 ... BryceTech has an immediate opening for a Program Manager to support the Space Systems Command ...

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All JobsInnovation Program JobsInnovation Program Manager JobsInnovation Program Manager Jobs in California

Innovation Program Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, strategy development, and a background in business or technology, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like PMP. Familiarity with innovation frameworks, agile methodologies, and collaboration tools such as Jira or Trello is typically required. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective stakeholder communication are critical soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills enable the successful design, execution, and scaling of innovative initiatives, ensuring organizational growth and competitive advantage.

What does an Innovation Program Manager do?

An Innovation Program Manager oversees and coordinates initiatives that drive innovation within an organization. They design, implement, and manage programs that encourage creative thinking, development of new products, and improvement of existing processes. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing budgets, measuring program outcomes, and fostering a culture of innovation. By identifying emerging trends and technologies, they help organizations stay competitive and adapt to changes in the market.

What is the difference between Innovation Program Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation Program ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusDeveloping and managing innovation initiatives and programsOverseeing product development and lifecycle
Required SkillsInnovation strategy, project management, cross-functional collaborationProduct design, market analysis, user experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate innovation labs, R&D departments, cross-industryTech companies, consumer goods, software firms
CertificationsProject management, innovation management certificationsProduct management certifications (e.g., Pragmatic, Scrum)

While both roles involve strategic planning and cross-functional work, the Innovation Program Manager focuses on fostering new ideas and managing innovation initiatives, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on developing and delivering specific products to market.

How does an Innovation Program Manager typically foster collaboration across different departments?

An Innovation Program Manager often acts as a bridge between various teams—such as R&D, marketing, finance, and operations—to drive new initiatives. They facilitate workshops, organize cross-functional meetings, and implement structured processes for idea generation and evaluation. By maintaining open communication channels and aligning stakeholders on shared goals, they ensure that innovative projects have broad support and clear direction. This collaborative approach is essential to overcome silos and accelerate the implementation of creative solutions.
What are popular job titles related to Innovation Program Manager jobs in California? For Innovation Program Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Innovation Program Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Innovation Program Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Innovation Program Manager job openings:
Innovation Program Manager jobs near you

Program Manager

Systems Planning and Analysis

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Overview
Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.
SPA's Sea Land Air (SLA) Division supports a diverse portfolio of national security government clients, including the Undersea Enterprise, the Navy Surface Community, the Navy MPTE Enterprise, the Air Force, Army, DoD Agencies, DARPA, international clients including the Canadian Navy and Australian Defense Force. Our primary objective is to provide timely, objective and analytic assessments that integrate the policy, operational, technical, programmatic and acquisition aspects of our clients' challenges. Leveraging both in-domain and cross-domain expertise to maximize our clients' success, SLA Division acts as trusted agents to senior decision-makers and key leaders and excels at providing data driven analytic insights, systems engineering, strategies and plans that address current and emerging challenges to national security.
SPA is seeking a Program Manager to lead critical Navy work in San Diego. #MC
Responsibilities
The Program Manager is concerned with the overall planning, direction and success of major programs, systems development efforts, and research or technology initiatives which have great significance to the activity's and agency's needs. Programs are typically large, multi-year efforts divided into several sub-programs/tasks. The Program Manager is also responsible for the overall program definition, organization, and direction of short and long range plans. This includes the responsibility for formulating, guiding, and directing the technical approach; and defining and negotiation with activity and agency personnel for necessary resources. Establishment and control of technical milestones, schedules, budgets and costs are also essential tasks for the Program Manager.
The ideal Program Manager will possess experience in performing the following tasks:
- Program Management / administration of the contract/task order
- Supervision of all contractors on the contract/task order
- Knowledge and experience working with large DoD contracts
- Knowledge and experience working with ACAT I and ACAT II programs
- Expertise in areas of Program Management, cost control, scheduling, business relations and reporting
- Knowledgeable and experienced with DoD 5000.01, DoD 5000.02, DoD Issuances governing acquisition programs in the DoD Components, and other program management policies addressed in DoD 5000 series
At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.
Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. CA Pay Transparency Salary Range: 190K-230K.
Qualifications
Required
  • 15 years of professional experience in program/project management
  • Bachelor's Degree in any Technical or Managerial discipline
  • Top Secret/SCI Clearance
  • DAWIA Advanced certification in Program Management or similiar (e.g. PMP or DAWIA III)
  • Program management experience with the Navy or comparable Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition agencies
  • Three (3) years of this experience in direct support of a Navy or DoD Acquisition Agency
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

Desired
  • Former Major Navy Program Manager
  • Significant analysis experience
  • Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification

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