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Program Director Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Parsons

Program Director

Corona, CA · On-site

$157K - $283K/yr

Our Parsons Corona office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Program Director to manage and oversee multiple transportation engineering projects in the Southern California region, supporting ...

Moffitt

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Long Beach, CA

$208K - $782K/yr

The Program Director facilitates the fellows' ethical, professional and personal development through education and evaluation and provides supervision of the fellows that supports safe and ...

Akua Behavioral Health Inc

Be Seen First

Program Director - AS Newport

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$90K - $126K/yr

The Program Director is responsible for hiring and providing training and supervision of all staff. The Program Director is responsible for maintaining compliance with all Federal and State Laws and ...

twenty80.io

Assistant Program Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$125K/yr

Working under the supervision of the Nursing Program Director, the Assistant Program Director will help ensure compliance with state nursing education standards, maintain high-quality academic and ...

Parsons

Senior Program Director

Corona, CA · On-site

$176K - $332K/yr

Our Parsons Corona office is seeking to hire a highly experienced SeniorProgram Director to manage and oversee large projects or programs in the Southern California region. Solid experience in ...

Anduril Industries

Program Director, Dive XL

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$220K - $292K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB In your role as Program Director within our Dive XL Division, you will lead a high-stakes, high-reward portfolio program. You will influence the shaping and development of cutting-edge ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProgram JobsProgram Director JobsProgram Director Jobs in Irvine, CA

Program Director information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$31.7K

$83.9K

$147.1K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Irvine, CA is $83,934.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,900.00 and $99,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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-related area. Many roles also prefer or require a master's degree or higher, along with experience in leadership, project management, or the specific sector they oversee.
More about Program Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Irvine, CA? The most popular types of Program jobs in Irvine, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Director jobs in Irvine, CA? For Program Director jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Irvine, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Irvine, CA are:
What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Program Director job openings:
Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Irvine, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,934 per year, or $40.4 per hour.

Program Director

Parsons

Corona, CA • On-site

$157K - $283K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago

Parsons rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

257th of 441 rated engineering

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Our Parsons Corona office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Program Director to manage and oversee multiple transportation engineering projects in the Southern California region, supporting CALTRANS, and other regional clients as well. Solid experience in California is highly preferred, with an active PE.

Responsibilities :

  • Extensive experience in highway engineering, and management of these projects in values up to and exceeding 500 Million.

  • Expertise in the preparation of project initiation, approval, and design documents, including project study reports, project reports, and plans, specifications, and estimates.

  • Extensive knowledge of California Department of Transportation project development and funding process

  • He has a strong technical and project management background in developing and designing highway transportation projects.

  • Command of excellent managerial, communication, and problem-solving skills and experience wth project management experience involving project planning, scope development, fee preparation, scheduling, and the preparation of planning documents.

  • Participate in contract scope and fee negotiations for several medium- and large-size planning projects, with routine involvement in document preparation, review coordination, quality control, and client relations.

Requirements :

  • 4-year degree in Civil Engineering or related technical/business field and at least 20 years or more of related work experience is required, especially with large scale transportation projects Incumbent should have a broad general technical and business background, as well as previous project management experience on similar or related large-scope project types.

  • Professional Engineer ( PE) registration is highly preferred.

Skills/ Competencies :

  • Incumbent must meet Parsons' project management certification requirements. Proven ability to perform in a management capacity, excellent written and oral communications skills, and a thorough knowledge of industry practices and regulations are also required. In addition, must be knowledge

Security Clearance Requirement:

NoneThis position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people's quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers' visions-and to help them see what's next!Salary Range: $157,500.00 - $283,500.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

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