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Principal Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Director information

See salary details

$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do principal director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal director in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.
What cities are hiring for Principal Director jobs? Cities with the most Principal Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal jobs? The most popular types of Principal jobs are:
What states have the most Principal Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

The DIRECTOR OF FINANCE is a member of the school's executive team reporting to the Principal. This position is also accountable to the Board of Trustees, and the various Preston stakeholder groups, including families of enrolled students.
The broad responsibilities of the Director include supervising accounting staff, overseeing internal controls, setting financial targets, implementing fund-raising strategies with the Director of Development, implementing enrollment strategies with the Principal, Director of Admissions, and the Admissions Committee, developing financial strategy, conducting feasibility studies, monitoring expenditure, overseeing annual insurance, monitoring cash flow, evaluating investments, to assist and direct the School in maintaining effective financial strategies, managing debt, improving revenues, sustaining a healthy financial position, and enhancing stakeholder confidence.
More specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Board of Trustees relations
  • Annual budget: in consultation with the Principal, Director of Recruitment & Development, and the Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, the budget is presented to the Board of Directors in December; inherent in the budget are proposed tuition rate and fee schedule, personnel remuneration, plant maintenance, and required bank financing.
  • The conduct of the annual external audit and published financial report
  • Supervision/monitoring of capital project budgets, including payment of construction-related bills
  • Maintenance and updates of the 5-Year Strategic Plan
  • Tuition & incidental expense management, from invoicing to collections
  • Payroll including employee benefits deductions/earnings (medical, annuity, workmen's compensation, disability, 403(b) retirement plans, unemployment compensation)
  • Recommendations on investments: Wells Fargo
  • GAAP accounting methods and FASB reporting
  • Regular banking procedures
  • Review disbursements (fuel, in particular) via accounts payable checks and ACH
  • Maintenance and review of General Ledger accounts and reports
  • Monthly and quarterly reports for workman's comp./PFL
  • Reviews and pays the NYS DoL unemployment statements, when applicable
  • SSP invoicing and reimbursements
  • Management of revenues associated with all School programs and ancillary income
  • Enters Journal entries and adjusting entries
  • Prepares deposit journal entries for cash deposits
  • Prints out G/L accounts for departments every September and February
  • Provides Event Chairpersons with budget reports on a timely basis
  • Cash Deposits to the bank
  • Annually processes the student re-enrollment fees into FACTS after sending out notices to families (including note to parents that any tuition discounts are not included at this point)
  • Collection calls
  • Works with Collection Agency to recover outstanding balances
  • Key member on Admissions and Other Tuition Assistance Committees.
  • Responsible for overseeing and paying our Rent and other liability insurances to the RDC
  • Guidance on and final approval of all key monetary decisions, including, but not limited to, major initiatives, leases, capital investments and all purchases of school assets and services.

Other duties/responsibilities as assigned by the Principal