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Program Director Jobs in River Falls, WI (NOW HIRING)

Program Director Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct Support Professional and Lead Direct Support Professional Typical Schedule: Primarily M-F. Must be willing and able to work flexible hours/days ...

The Farm Coordinator will report to the Farm Director and be responsible for farm events, as well ... The Camp Program Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the camp in the program season. The ...

The Farm Coordinator will report to the Farm Director and be responsible for farm events, as well ... The Camp Program Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the camp in the program season. The ...

Medical Director

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$28K - $31K/yr

About the role As the Medical Director for the Bethel University Physician Assistant Program, you ... Program Evaluation & Self Study - 20% * * Participate in program evaluation through the program ...

Showing results 21-40

Program Director information

See River Falls, WI salary details

$29.9K

$79.2K

$138.7K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in River Falls, WI is $79,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,700.00 and $93,700.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in River Falls, WI? The most popular types of Program jobs in River Falls, WI are:
What cities near River Falls, WI are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near River Falls, WI with the most Program Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in River Falls, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,174 per year, or $38.1 per hour.

RD&E Director, Dishmachine Program - Institutional North America

Ecolab

Eagan, MN

$137K - $206K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Ecolab rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 209 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

58th of 100 rated chemical manufacturers


Job description

Job Summary:Want to build a brighter, bolder future and cultivate your career? Join Ecolab's Institutional RD&E team and help create a world in which we all thrive. We are seeking a Director, Dishmachine RD&E - Institutional North America to lead the strategy, new product development, and lifecycle management of Ecolab's dishmachine, dispensing, and connected equipment portfolio. This high-impact leadership role will shape innovation for a significant North America business by integrating equipment, chemistry, digital connectivity, customer insights, and field execution to deliver measurable value for customers across foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, education, and related markets.

In this role, you will partner across RD&E, Marketing, Digital, Field Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams to deliver solutions that improve customer outcomes, enable operational efficiency, support sustainability goals, and strengthen Ecolab's leadership across institutional warewashing.

What's in It for You:

  • Opportunity to lead a highly visible innovation portfolio within a growth-oriented global company.
  • Ability to shape the future of connected dishmachine and dispensing solutions for customers across North America.
  • Collaboration with talented technical, digital, commercial, and field teams focused on solving meaningful customer challenges.
  • A culture that values safety, innovation, inclusion, continuous improvement, and career development.
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits consistent with Ecolab programs.

What You Will Do:

  • Define and lead the North America RD&E strategy for dishmachine, dispensing, and connected equipment platforms, aligning innovation priorities with customer needs, market opportunities, and business growth objectives.
  • Own the end-to-end portfolio roadmap, including new product development, platform lifecycle management, technology advancement, cost optimization, reliability, serviceability, sustainability, and long-term value creation.
  • Translate customer insights, field experience, service data, and market trends into differentiated dishmachine and digital solutions that strengthen Ecolab's leadership in institutional warewashing.
  • Establish clear portfolio priorities, investment recommendations, technical milestones, risk mitigation plans, and governance routines to ensure disciplined execution and enterprise-level accountability.
  • Champion customer validation, field testing, launch readiness, and post-launch performance management to ensure solutions deliver measurable impact in real-world operating environments.
  • Build, develop, and engage a high-performing technical organization, fostering a culture of safety, quality, inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Influence senior stakeholders through concise, data-driven communication on portfolio progress, business impact, resource needs, risks, and strategic recommendations.

Position Details:

  • Primary location: North America; Eagan, Minnesota or other approved Ecolab location may be considered based on business needs
  • Travel: up to 15%, including customer visits, field testing, supplier engagement, and team meetings
  • Role type: Full-time leadership position within Institutional RD&E

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Science, Product Development, or a related technical discipline
  • 5-7+ years of experience in RD&E, product development, engineering, equipment development, or related technical leadership
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex technical programs from concept through commercialization
  • Demonstrated ability to influence across functions, manage priorities, and communicate effectively with technical and business stakeholders
  • Ability to travel up to 15%

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related field.
  • Experience with connected equipment, IoT-enabled products, embedded systems, digital platforms, or data-driven service models.
  • Experience leading equipment, hardware, dispensing, or appliance product portfolios.
  • Strong understanding of customer validation, field testing, reliability engineering, quality systems, and lifecycle management.
  • Proven ability to build talent, lead through ambiguity, and create an inclusive, safety-focused team culture.

Annual or Hourly Compensation Range

The base salary range for this position is $137,700.00 - $206,500.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentives based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.Click here to see our benefits.

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.


Potential Customer Requirements Notice

To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to:

- Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.


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About Ecolab

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Paul, MN, US

Year founded

1923