1

Principal Director Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Principal

Washington, DC · On-site

$180 - $210/hr

E-Logic is seeking a highly accomplished Principal to lead a strategic communications and ... Direct and oversee multidisciplinary teams supporting strategic communications, technical writing ...

Principal

Washington, DC · Remote

$200K/yr

E-Logic is seeking a highly accomplished Principal to lead a strategic communications and ... Direct and oversee multidisciplinary teams supporting strategic communications, technical writing ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Director information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$37.7K

$113.1K

$188.1K

How much do principal director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal director in Silver Spring, MD is $113,088.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,900.00 and $129,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal director?

A Principal Director is a senior-level executive responsible for overseeing major divisions or functions within an organization. They play a key role in shaping strategy, leading large teams, and ensuring that organizational goals are met efficiently and effectively. Principal Directors often report directly to top executives such as the CEO or board of directors, and their duties can include strategic planning, resource management, and cross-departmental coordination. This role typically requires extensive experience in leadership and a deep understanding of the industry in which they work.

How does a principal director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive organizational strategy?

A Principal Director often plays a central role in aligning cross-functional teams—such as product, engineering, finance, and marketing—to achieve the organization's strategic objectives. This collaboration involves facilitating communication, setting clear priorities, and ensuring that all departments are working toward shared goals. Principal Directors are frequently responsible for breaking down complex challenges, mediating between stakeholders, and monitoring progress to keep initiatives on track. This role requires strong leadership and negotiation skills to manage diverse viewpoints and foster a culture of teamwork.

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

To thrive as a Principal Director, you need extensive leadership experience, strategic planning abilities, and a relevant advanced degree or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with project management software, budgeting tools, and data analysis systems is typically required, along with industry-specific certifications when applicable. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills set standout candidates apart. These competencies ensure the effective alignment of organizational goals, resource optimization, and successful team leadership at the executive level.

What is the difference between Principal Director vs Project Director?

AspectPrincipal DirectorProject Director
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees, extensive industry experience, leadership certificationsRelevant project management certifications (PMP), experience in managing large projects
Work environmentExecutive-level settings, strategic planning, cross-departmental oversightProject sites, office environments, team management
Employer and industry usageCorporations, government agencies, large organizationsConstruction, engineering, IT, consulting firms
Common search and comparison intentUnderstanding leadership roles at an executive levelManaging specific projects and teams

While both roles involve leadership and management, a Principal Director typically oversees multiple departments or strategic initiatives at an executive level, whereas a Project Director focuses on the successful delivery of individual projects. The Principal Director's role is broader and more strategic, often requiring advanced credentials and extensive experience, while the Project Director concentrates on project execution, team coordination, and meeting project goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

The most popular types of Principal jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Principal Director jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Principal Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Director job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,088 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Tax Principal or Signing Director - Northeast

Cliftonlarsonallen

Baltimore, MD

$340K - $400K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


CliftonLarsonAllen rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 23 rated bookkeepers and accountants


Job description

CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm where our purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.

CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.

CLA is currently seeking a Tax Principal or Signing Director to join one of our Northeast offices. The Principal/Signing Director contributes at the highest level in their industry and excels at client advisory, service advocacy, relationship development, and leadership.

How you'll create opportunities in this Tax Principal role:

  • Lead a team of tax and industry professionals to deliver tax compliance and consulting services, including mentoring the team to get to know and help their clients by developing a deep understanding of their businesses and delivering the firm's services to fully meet client's needs.

  • Assume full responsibility for all services for clients in a book of business.

  • Review and sign engagement letters, discuss the nature and terms of assignments with clients and staff, and approve fees.

  • Review and approve work papers and tax returns prepared by staff.

  • Review and sign client deliverables.

  • Keep current on tax law changes.

  • Actively develop new business and expand services to existing clients.

  • Demonstrate commitment to the firm through a willingness to devote time to the practice.

What you will need:

  • Bachelor's or master's in accounting, Taxation or related field

  • Current CPA licensure required. (JD or EA may be accepted in lieu of CPA).

  • 10+ years of public accounting experience in a tax role with a public accounting and/or professional services firm

Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact the position of pay within the range.

The compensation range for this position in Massachusetts is: $165,000-$300,000.

The compensation range for this position in New York is: $340,000-$400,000.

The compensation range for this position in New Jersey is: $180,000-$400,000.

The compensation range for this position in Maryland is: $200,000-$350,000.

The compensation range for this position in Virginia is: $200,000-$400,000.

#LI-CG1


Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Click here to learn about your hiring rights.


Wellness at CLA

To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.


To view a complete list of benefits, click here.



What CliftonLarsonAllen employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


CliftonLarsonAllen logo

About CliftonLarsonAllen

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) is a leading professional services company based in Minneapolis, MN, US. CLA operates in the accounting industry and offers a broad range of products and services such as wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. The company was founded in 1953 with a merger between two firms, Clifton Gunderson and LarsonAllen, in 2012. Working in accordance with their mission to create opportunities for clients, people, and communities, they have established a presence across the US, serving privately held businesses, non-profits, and governmental entities. Recognized for their contributions, CLA has received accolades such as the Innovative Firm of the Year award.

Industry

Accounting services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Minneapolis, MN, US

Year founded

2012