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Program Director Jobs in San Rafael, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Program Director information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$32.9K

$87.2K

$152.7K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in San Rafael, CA is $87,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,100.00 and $103,100.00 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 is a program director?

A program director is a professional responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specific programs within an organization. They coordinate staff, manage budgets, and ensure program goals are met, often requiring leadership skills and relevant certifications. The role typically involves strategic decision-making and compliance with organizational policies.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Program Director can earn $10,000 or more per month, especially in large organizations or with extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and industry expertise. High-paying roles often require significant responsibility, strategic planning, and management skills, but may not always require a formal degree if supplemented by relevant experience and certifications.

What is the role of a program director?

A program director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of specific programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, set goals, and ensure that program objectives are met efficiently and effectively, often requiring leadership, organizational skills, and relevant certifications.

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 San Rafael, CA? The most popular types of Program jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in San Rafael, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Program Director job openings:
Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in San Rafael, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,165 per year, or $41.9 per hour.
Program Director, ABSN

Program Director, ABSN

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Description:
Job Description Summary:
Position Summary: The ABSN Program Director is the academic leader responsible for the leadership and management of administrative, curricular, and student/faculty issues of the program. The Director maintains standards for professional accreditation, university policy, and plans and manages the budget. They collaborate with leaders and administrative staff across the Academic Affairs Division to sustain strategic planning goals and priorities consistent with University values and mission. They model appropriate ethical and professional behaviors, as well as expert communication skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Major Areas of responsibilities include but not limited to:
Administration (75%)
General Program Oversight
  • Holds primary responsibility for curricular integrity to assure compliance with CCNE Standards
  • Assure the integrity of the instructional delivery of the ABSN curriculum on all campuses where student cohorts matriculate
  • Serves as the hiring manager for the ABSN Program, for adjunct and annualized faculty (regular and annual)
  • Conducts the annual faculty evaluations of all ABSN faculty and the ABSN Associate Director; ensures that adjunct faculty are evaluated at expected intervals
  • Preparing regulatory related items for CCNE, BRN, program evaluation reports, etc
  • In collaboration with the ABSN Associate Director, engage in the day-to-day processes at all campuses where ABSN cohorts are enrolled
  • Coordinating students who fail a class and/or need to go out of sequence
  • Providing progressive discipline to direct reports as needed
  • Top of license activities w/ more remedial tasks delegated to other qualified subordinates or members of student services, clinical placement, etc

Collaborate with the appropriate university leadership for contract development for clinical agencies and partnerships with academic and practice organizations
Effective collaboration with ABSN Academic Directors, College of Nursing leadership and university departments
In collaboration with campus academic directors, provide oversight for the submission of course schedules and faculty assignments for the ABSN program at each campus.
Identify and assign student advisors in collaboration with campus academic directors Curriculum & Instruction
Manage the curriculum and instructional programs
Collaborates with student services, scheduling, grievance procedures, advising, retention, special services, awards, and graduation processes for the ABSN program
Collaborates with the associate dean for prelicensure & undergraduate programs, clinical coordinators, and other program directors/chairs in the development of faculty assignments and course schedules.
Collaborates with the NCLEX success coordinator and other prelicensure program directors/chairs to develop and implement strategies for student preparation for the licensure examination.
Faculty & Staff Development and Mentorship
  • Supervise and mentor faculty through all institutional mechanisms and processes available
  • In collaboration with the faculty development coordinator, identify faculty orientation and professional development needs
  • Conducts or provides input for the selection adjunct faculty

Financial, Resource & Systems Management
  • Provides information to the associate dean for prelicensure & undergraduate programs, Associate Dean of Operations & Partnerships for macro budget planning for the ABSN program
  • Manage the program budget in collaboration with campus academic directors where the ABSN program is offered
  • Identifies grant opportunities for the ABSN program and oversees as appropriate
  • Assists in identifying new program opportunities for nursing and developing proposals for their development and implementation.

Reports & Documentation
  • Prepare accreditation and other relevant reports for the ABSN program
  • Represent the program, the school, and the university at relevant external conferences, workshops, and meetings

Teaching (25 %)
  • Teaches in area of expertise.
  • Creates a dynamic, learner centered environment that uses a variety of teaching methods that support the diverse learning needs of the student population and that are based on educational theory, and evidence-based teaching and clinical practices.
  • Models reflective and critical thinking and serves as a coach and mentor for students; confers with them on their progress and assists them in the development of learning plans to facilitate successful achievement of course objectives.
  • Maintains and enhances competence in subjects being taught.
  • Confers with colleagues to assure the integrity of the courses across programs and the curriculum as a whole
  • Prepares and reviews written examinations, papers, and student projects; supervises independent study projects as needed, and evaluates learner performance in both the classroom and clinical settings
  • Collaborates with Course Manager concerning at-risk students or unusual occurrences. Supervises or teaches clinical rotations as needed in acute, community and laboratory settings as well as internship/preceptorship courses.
  • Documents student progress on appropriate forms. Other duties as assigned.

Scholarship*
  • Draws on extant literature to design evidence-based teaching and evaluation practices.
  • Exhibits a spirit of inquiry about teaching and learning, student development, evaluation methods, and other aspects of the faculty role.
  • Demonstrates qualities of a scholar: integrity, courage, perseverance, vitality and creativity.
  • Designs and implements scholarly activities as agreed upon with his/her evaluator.
  • Engages in scholarly activities reflecting dissemination and professional peer review.

Service*
  • Participates in Faculty Organization meetings
  • Participates in School College of Nursing Faculty meetings
  • Participates in University or School committees as needed
  • Provides service to the profession and the community
  • Participates in University and SoN CoN events as specified in University and SON attendance expectations

* The SMU Faculty Handbook provides guidance to regular faculty regarding how to establish expectations with direct supervisor related to an individual's annual workload in these areas
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements
Education & Experience
  • Earned doctorate in nursing or a related field from an accredited instititution of higher learning (e.g., PhD, DNP, DNSc, DNS, EdD).
  • Active, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (RN), eligible for licensure in California
  • Demonstrated teaching experience of diverse students at the baccalaureate or higher degree level, preferred
  • Demonstrated experience in academic administration highly desirable
  • Experience with different modalities for instructional delivery desirable

Skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication.
  • Knowledgeable about prelicensure nursing education and academic administration.
  • Excellent customer relations
  • Excellent teambuilding and team leadership skills

Abilities
  • Ability to function effectively as an academic leader, member of a team, and independently.
  • Ability to receive detailed information through verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to read and write clear documents.
  • Hand and finger dexterity for computer, calculator, copy machine, and telephone use.
  • Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word in person or on the telephone.

Work Environment:
Office Location: Oakland Campus - Onsite
  • This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement.
  • Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.
Employee Status:
RegularExemption Status:
United States of America (Exempt)Time Type:
Full timeJob Shift:
Pay Range:
based on experience is up to $130,000 annually
Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

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