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Program Director Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Program Director information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$28.7K

$76K

$133.2K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Raleigh, NC is $76,008.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $89,900.00 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 Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Program jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Program Director job openings:
Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,008 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Animal Services Operations and Programs Director

County of Wake, NC

Raleigh, NC

Other

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Wake County Animal Services is seeking an experienced, people-focused, progressive operations leader to serve as its Animal Services Operations and Programs Director. This is a newly created position born out of a deliberate reorganization of the Animal Center's leadership structure, and it reflects the County's commitment to providing the additional resources needed to take the Animal Center to the next level of excellence. The right candidate brings strong management experience, a genuine commitment to animal welfare outcomes, and the interpersonal skills required to lead a large, mission-driven team.How to ApplyWake County is partnering with Raftelis to lead the recruitment for our Animal Services Operations and Programs Director.

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning July 24, 2026.

Theexpected hiring range is 101,817 to 142,541, depending on qualifications. WakeCounty offers a comprehensive total compensation package that reflects itscommitment to recruiting and retaining exceptional public sector leaders.

To view the full job description and submit your application, please visit raftelis.com.

The PositionThe Animal Services Operations and Programs Director sits within the Community Services Department, reports to the Deputy Community Services Director, and will serve as a co-director alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, who oversees the shelter's veterinary care, population management, and Animal Control. Candidates who are comfortable with shared leadership arrangements and who build strong alignment with peers will be well-suited for this role.

The Animal Services Operations and Programs Director is primarily responsible for overseeing the external-facing operations of the Animal Center, with primary responsibility for customer service, facility operations, and foster, transfer, and volunteer program management, ensuring these functions operate at a consistently high standard and that program goals are resourced, tracked, and met. A significant portion of the role involves monitoring shelter performance data and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement across intake diversion, placement outcomes, and high-quality customer service. The Director also carries the primary administrative and fiscal responsibility for the Center, including budgeting and records management in compliance with county, state, and federal requirements, as well as hiring, onboarding, and performance management for their team.

The Operations and Programs Director leads a team of 25 FTEs with four direct reports covering Community Outreach (Volunteer, Foster, and Transfer Programs), Customer Experience and Administration, and Animal Welfare Attendants and Adoption Support. The Volunteer Program supports the many volunteers who spend more than 23,000 hours per year providing dog walking, cat cuddling, matchmaking, enrichment, administrative support, and more. The Foster Program provides seven-day-a-week support for fosters who take in kittens too small for the adoption floor, dogs in need of heartworm treatment, post-surgical recovery patients, and animals that are too stressed to thrive in the shelter environment. Last year, we averaged 313 animals in foster every month, and our goal is to grow this program to 400 active foster homes. The Transfer Program coordinates the support of local, state, and national rescue groups that take animals requiring more medical or behavioral support than the Animal Center can provide, as well as freeing up space on our crowded adoption floor. Last year, transfer partners took approximately 1,600 animals from the Animal Center, and we hope to grow this program to return to the prior numbers of 3,000 animals being transferred out each year.

The Operations and Programs Director works alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, jointly developing long and short-term plans, sharing program goals and performance metrics, co-designing standard operating procedures and disaster preparedness plans, and ensuring consistent public communication on animal services matters

The Operations and Programs Director is responsible for the Animal Center's community relations, representing the Center in meetings with government officials, civic organizations, and partner agencies, and overseeing adoption-focused social media and outreach efforts. Internally, the Director works closely with County leadership on budget development, including presenting and justifying expansion requests, analyzing program costs and revenue streams, and reviewing fee structures. Wake County is currently designing a new Animal Center facility, and the incoming Director will play a role in shaping how that space is activated operationally.

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