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Program Director Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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See Wisconsin salary details

$29.8K

$78.9K

$138.3K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Wisconsin is $78,927.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $93,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Program Directors?

Program Directors are professionals responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing specific programs within an organization. They manage budgets, coordinate staff, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure goals align with the organization’s mission. Program Directors often work in fields such as education, healthcare, nonprofit, and media. Their leadership ensures that programs run smoothly, meet objectives, and deliver value to stakeholders.

What are some common challenges Program Directors face when overseeing multiple projects or initiatives?

Program Directors often encounter the challenge of balancing competing priorities across several projects, while ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals. Managing diverse teams, coordinating resources, and addressing unexpected obstacles—such as shifting stakeholder requirements or budget constraints—are common aspects of the role. Effective communication, adaptability, and strong organizational skills are essential for navigating these complexities and ensuring successful program delivery. Collaboration with senior leadership and cross-functional teams is also crucial for resolving issues promptly and maintaining program momentum.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Program Directors in certain industries, such as healthcare, technology, or large nonprofit organizations, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities. High-level executive roles like CEOs or CFOs often surpass this threshold, but they are not specific to the Program Director position. Compensation varies widely based on industry, organization size, and geographic location.

Is a Program Director higher than a program manager?

A Program Director typically holds a higher-level leadership role than a program manager, overseeing multiple projects or programs and setting strategic goals. Program managers focus on managing individual projects within a program, executing plans, and ensuring deliverables. The hierarchy can vary by organization, but generally, Program Directors have broader responsibilities and authority than program managers.

What is the role of a Program Director?

A Program Director oversees the planning, implementation, and management of multiple related projects within an organization to achieve strategic goals. They coordinate teams, allocate resources, monitor progress, and ensure programs meet deadlines and budgets, often requiring strong leadership and communication skills. The role may also involve reporting to stakeholders and ensuring compliance with policies and standards.

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

To thrive as a Program Director, you need strong leadership, project management, and strategic planning skills, usually supported by a relevant degree and several years of management experience. Experience with budgeting software, project management tools like Asana or MS Project, and familiarity with compliance standards are often necessary. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities are critical soft skills that set top Program Directors apart. These skills are crucial for aligning teams, driving program success, and ensuring organizational goals are consistently met.

What Is a Program Director?

A program director is an upper-management position found within organizations across almost all industries. Your primary job duties include coordinating, implementing, and overseeing all details of a company’s operation and programs. You monitor the budget, create community programs, supervise other managers, and develop better business practices. The exact job duties vary widely depending on industry and employer. Some program directors oversee the entire organization while others oversee specific departments. Though almost all industries utilize program directors, the two most commonly seen are business and healthcare.

What is the difference between Program Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProgram DirectorProject Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree; often prefers PMP or similar certificationsRequires a bachelor’s degree; PMP or CAPM certifications are common
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects within a program, strategic focusManages individual projects, tactical focus
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in nonprofits, corporate, government sectors for large initiativesCommon across industries for specific project execution

The Program Director focuses on overseeing multiple related projects to achieve strategic goals, while the Project Manager handles the planning and execution of a single project. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What degree do you need to be a Program Director?

A Program Director typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, management, or a specific industry area. Many roles also prefer or require a master's degree or relevant certifications, along with experience in leadership, project management, or the specific program area.
More about Program Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Program jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Director jobs in Wisconsin? For Program Director jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Program Director job openings:
Program Director jobs near you
Program Director and Faculty - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Program Director and Faculty - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Beloit College

Beloit, WI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Program Director (Founding) and Faculty, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The opportunity
Beloit College invites applications for a founding Program Director for its new Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. This is an opportunity to build a program from the ground up; to shape its identity, curriculum, and culture at a liberal arts institution that genuinely values faculty expertise and intellectual vision.
The founding director will have significant latitude to develop a program that is both rigorously CACREP-compliant and distinctively Beloit. We are seeking someone who understands that counselor education at its best is not just skills training: it is the formation of professionals who are theoretically grounded, socially aware, and equipped to work with the full complexity of human experience.
The program's animating commitments include:
  • Social justice as a foundational orientation, embedded throughout the curriculum and clinical training
  • Attention to underserved communities and the urgent mental health workforce needs of south-central Wisconsin and the broader region, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison
  • Interprofessional and interdisciplinary education, consistent with Beloit's institution-wide pedagogical identity
  • Community-based connections and experiential learning as core program features, not afterthoughts

About Beloit College
Beloit College is a selective liberal arts college in Beloit, Wisconsin. Nationally recognized for intellectual rigor and innovation, Beloit was ranked #18 among the nation's most innovative schools by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. Its graduates are known for their capacity to think across disciplines, engage with complexity, and connect knowledge to real-world impact.
The School of Health Sciences, established in 2023, reflects Beloit's commitment to preparing health professionals who are not only clinically excellent but broadly educated and community-minded. Interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and community-based practice are foundational to everything we do. This new MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will be the School's first graduate-level offering, a significant milestone and a serious institutional commitment.
Role and Responsibilities
The Program Director serves as the core counselor education faculty leader for the CMHC program, as defined under 2024 CACREP Standard 1.FF. This is a 12-month administrative faculty position with teaching responsibilities commensurate with the Director's expertise and program needs. The Program Director reports to the Director of the School of Health Sciences.
Program Development and CACREP Accreditation
  • Lead all aspects of the CACREP accreditation process, including curriculum development, self-study preparation, and ongoing compliance
  • Develop and implement program policies, student assessment systems, key performance indicators, and a comprehensive program evaluation plan consistent with 2024 CACREP standards
  • Establish and cultivate clinical placement partnerships across the region to ensure sufficient practicum and internship opportunities for students
  • Pursue state program approval in coordination with institutional leadership
  • Support and influence student recruitment and admissions into the program, especially for the first and second cohorts

Faculty and Program Leadership
  • Participate actively in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding 2-3 additional core and affiliate counselor education faculty members
  • Provide ongoing leadership, mentorship, and evaluation for program faculty
  • Coordinate advising, student assessment, retention, and gatekeeping processes consistent with ethical and professional standards
  • Develop the student handbook, fieldwork handbook, and other program infrastructure from the ground up

Community and Institutional Engagement
  • Work collaboratively with program faculty and staff to build and sustain relationships with community partners, fieldwork site supervisors, and advisory committee members
  • Collaborate with faculty across the School of Health Sciences and the broader College to advance interdisciplinary programming
  • Represent the program in professional counseling organizations and within the institution
  • Teach graduate courses in areas of professional expertise as needed by the program

Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet CACREP core counselor education faculty requirements per 2024 Standard 1.Y. Specifically, the successful candidate must have one of the following:
  • An earned doctoral degree in counselor education, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program; or
  • A related doctoral degree and full-time faculty employment in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year before July 1, 2013; or
  • Full-time doctoral-level faculty employment in a CORE-accredited master's program prior to July 1, 2017; or
  • Graduation from a rehabilitation doctoral program prior to January 1, 2018

In addition, all candidates must demonstrate the following per 2024 CACREP Standards 1.Z and 1.AA:
  • Active membership in professional counseling organizations
  • Relevant professional counseling credentials (e.g., LPC, LCPC, or equivalent licensure in Wisconsin or eligibility for Wisconsin licensure)
  • Evidence of sustained professional engagement through at least two of the following: professional development in counseling, professional service and advocacy, ongoing counseling practice, or research and scholarly activity in counseling

Beyond CACREP requirements, Beloit College requires:
  • Demonstrated experience in counselor education program development, including direct involvement in CACREP accreditation processes
  • Faculty experience in a graduate counseling program, including teaching, advising, and supervision
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice, multicultural counseling, and working with marginalized and underserved communities
  • Strong interpersonal and administrative skills, including the ability to build relationships with community partners and collaborate across disciplines
  • Capacity to function effectively in a startup environment: the program does not yet exist, and the Director will be building its infrastructure

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience founding or relaunching an academic program
  • Experience with rural mental health, integrated behavioral health, or health disparities
  • Background in interprofessional education or community-based training models
  • Experience recruiting and mentoring diverse graduate student populations
  • Scholarly activity in areas aligned with the program's mission

Appointment and Compensation
This is a full-time, 12-month administrative faculty position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with a range of $85,000-$95,000. The anticipated start date is October 1, 2026.
Application Materials
Applicants should submit the following materials through Beloit College's online application system:
  • Cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the program
  • Current curriculum vitae, including administrative, teaching, and research experience.
  • Leadership statement (2-3 pages) describing experience with program development, accreditation, faculty leadership, and clinical education
  • Teaching philosophy statement
  • Names and contact information for three professional references (references will not be contacted without candidate permission)

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Beloit College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty. We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds, identities, and experiences reflect the communities our program aspires to serve.
The intent of this job description is to provide the general nature and level of work required of employees who are assigned to this classification and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. Employees may be instructed to perform job-related duties and responsibilities other than those specifically presented in this description.

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