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Leadership Development Program Associate Jobs in Santa Monica, CA

Product Development Program Manager

Northridge, CA · On-site

$122K - $153K/yr

Leads or leverages cross functional teams to evaluate, develop and manage projects for new product ... Manages the development and implementation process of a company's products and services involving ...

Leads or leverages cross functional teams to evaluate, develop and manage projects for new product ... Manages the development and implementation process of a company's products and services involving ...

Showing results 21-40

Leadership Development Program Associate information

See Santa Monica, CA salary details

$28.1K

$58.8K

$101.6K

How much do leadership development program associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for leadership development program associate in Santa Monica, CA is $58,775.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,900.00 and $66,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a leadership development program associate?

A Leadership Development Program Associate is an early-career professional who participates in a structured program designed to develop future leaders within an organization. These programs typically rotate associates through various departments, providing exposure to different aspects of the business while building critical leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. The goal is to prepare associates for management or specialized leadership roles by offering mentorship, training, and hands-on experience. Leadership Development Programs are popular in large corporations and often target recent graduates or individuals with high leadership potential.

What is the difference between Leadership Development Program Associate vs Management Trainee?

AspectLeadership Development Program AssociateManagement Trainee
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, relevant internshipsBachelor's degree, often recent graduates
Work EnvironmentCorporate training programs, rotational assignmentsStructured training, rotational roles in various departments
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in consulting, finance, FMCGCommon in manufacturing, retail, banking
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding early career development rolesExploring management training opportunities

The Leadership Development Program Associate and Management Trainee roles are both entry-level positions designed to develop future leaders. While both require a bachelor's degree and involve rotational training, the Leadership Development Program Associate typically focuses on leadership skills within corporate programs, whereas Management Trainees often undergo broader management training across departments. The choice depends on your career focus—specialized leadership development or general management training.

What types of projects or rotations can I expect as a leadership development program associate?

As a Leadership Development Program Associate, you’ll typically rotate through a variety of departments such as operations, finance, marketing, and human resources. Each rotation is designed to give you hands-on experience with key business functions and allow you to develop a broad understanding of the organization. You may be assigned to lead or contribute to strategic initiatives, process improvements, or cross-functional teams, often working closely with senior leaders and mentors. This structure not only accelerates your learning curve but also helps you build a strong internal network, which is valuable for future leadership roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a leadership development program associate?

To thrive as a Leadership Development Program Associate, you generally need a bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or a related field, along with foundational knowledge in leadership principles and organizational development. Familiarity with assessment tools, learning management systems (LMS), and data analysis platforms like Excel or Tableau is commonly expected. Strong interpersonal communication, adaptability, and teamwork skills set candidates apart in supporting and leading cross-functional initiatives. These competencies are vital for effectively identifying talent, driving development programs, and fostering future organizational leaders.
What job categories do people searching Leadership Development Program Associate jobs in Santa Monica, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Leadership Development Program Associate jobs in Santa Monica, CA are:
What cities near Santa Monica, CA are hiring for Leadership Development Program Associate jobs? Cities near Santa Monica, CA with the most Leadership Development Program Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Leadership Development Program Associate job openings in Santa Monica, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,775 per year, or $28.3 per hour.

Missile Development Program Manager 3

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 538 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
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. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (DS) is seeking a Program Manager 3 to lead AARGM and AARGM-ER Missile development programs within the Advanced Weapons Business Unit (AWBU) at Northridge, CA. Our Advanced Weapons team designs, develops, and manufactures missile systems that support U.S. national and allied security objectives. The AWBU has several development programs associated with development, qualification, flight test, transition-to-production, and fielding of hardware and software configurations of the AARGM and AARGM-ER weapon systems for which qualified program managers are required.
This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government Secret security clearance with ability to get cleared for SAP.
The Development Program Manager 3 is responsible for cost, schedule, and technical performance in the execution of assigned technical development programs (This position reports directly to the Director of AARGM and AARGM-ER Development and Integration Programs). This Program Manager 3 role requires a strategic thinker with a mix of technical development expertise with rigorous program management skills. He or she will be expected to meet strict quality, schedule, and budget requirements while complying with defense regulations and standards.
Responsibilities:
  • Leading and directing cross-functional Integrated Program Teams (IPT) to ensure achievement of program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives
  • Cultivating customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community
  • Developing new business opportunities through long term strategic planning, capture planning, and development of proposals and business plans.
  • Establishing a program organization that effectively addresses customer requirements and incorporates the necessary internal and external sub-organizations
  • Measuring and reporting program performance
  • Delivering presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
  • Participating in the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions.
  • Identification, distribution, tracking, and completion of program requirements
  • Establishment and management of the program and subordinate baselines
  • Identifying, allocating and managing program resources, including workforce planning
  • Managing Government/customer supplied property or information (GFE, CFE, etc.)
  • Managing suppliers to meet program objectives.
  • Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards
  • Ensuring program team understands and adheres to contract scope, and manages change through control board activities
  • Development and adherence to master plans and schedules
  • Conducting thorough risk & opportunity management practices including identification, assessment, and mitigation

Desired Attributes:
  • Business Acumen: Apply knowledge, insights and understanding of business and financial concepts, tools and processes to the benefit of developing market strategies
  • Capture Management: Have an insight into customer technical and business (financial, political, cultural) requirements and shape customer expectations with a solution that satisfies their needs and is advantageous to the company.
  • Communications: Manage communications with stakeholders through organized processes to ensure that program information is defined, collected, shared, understood, stored, and retrieved in a manner that effectively meets program and stakeholder needs. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to manage a project team daily and communicate effectively with segment leadership regarding status, awareness, and escalations. Resolve disputes and negotiate with positive outcome while maintaining good relationships within the organization, specifically between peers and management as well as all levels of program.
  • Program Growth: Recognize and respond to the customer needs in order to develop additional sales that support organizational objectives.
  • Proposal Team Development: Define proposal strategy and develop proposal teams that analyze and shape RFPs, produce and deliver winning proposals, effectively track and incorporate Review Team comments and findings, and manage post-proposal submittals (orals, finding responses).
  • Risk & Opportunity: Address portfolio uncertainty through an organized and analytical, looking forward approach that identifies risks and opportunities, determines appropriate handling plans, and manages, controls, and communicates risks and opportunities for the Market Area looking forward 5 years and beyond.
  • Customer Intimacy: Seek and incorporate input from customers to understand their expectations. Demonstrate commitment and energy to meet customer needs. Build strong relationships with strategic partners and key suppliers. Guides program team and support functions on how to take action to satisfy customer expectations.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience managing development programs OR a master's degree and 8 years of experience managing development programs.
  • Experience leading high performing, cross-functional development teams within the aerospace/defense sector
  • Experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at or under cost achieving all requirements as either a project lead, integrated program team lead, or cost account manager.
  • Proficiency in program management tools and processes such as: Earned Value Management System (EVMS), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and Risk and Opportunity Management.
  • Active and current US Government DoD Secret security clearance with ability to get cleared for SAP

Preferred Qualifications:
  • A degree in science, engineering, or business
  • PMP® certification
  • 5-10 years of managing direct reports
  • Experience in Proposal Management
  • Experience in the aerospace/defense industry or within the Department of Defense or NASA
  • Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Agile methodologies
  • Ability to define technical strategy to promote capturing business in new areas

Living in Northridge offers a perfect combination of urban living with the beauty of nature. It is a short drive away from downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, or the rest of the San Fernando Valley. Take advantage of your flexible work schedule to enjoy shopping at the local Northridge Fashion Center or spend time at the local Recreation Center as well as easy access to nearby protected natural areas such as the Chatsworth Reservoir, the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park, Lake Balboa or within driving distance, spend a day at the beach. With Cal State Northridge right in the heart of town, the area has an active college town energy combined with family-friendly suburban charm. The stunning southern California climate makes for year-round easy living. With an average of 284 sunny days during the year, it is safe to say you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your outdoor activities to the fullest.
#LI-MA1
Primary Level Salary Range: $193,000.00 - $289,600.00
The 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