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Program Director Jobs in Santa Maria, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Program Director information

See Santa Maria, CA salary details

$30.2K

$80.2K

$140.4K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Santa Maria, CA is $80,153.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $94,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 relevant certifications, along with strong leadership and organizational skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Santa Maria, CA?

The most popular types of Program jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Santa Maria, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What cities near Santa Maria, CA are hiring for Program Director jobs?

Cities near Santa Maria, CA with the most Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Santa Maria, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,153 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

CCPA - Associate Program Director & Open Rank Faculty

A T Still University of Health Sciences

San Luis Obispo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Description

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is a culturally rich environment leading the way in whole-person health education with cutting edge technology and instruction. From its inception in 1892, ATSU has had a long tradition of inclusion. The ATSU College for Healthy Communities is the newest College within ATSU located in the beautiful Central Coast region of California. The Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) Program is the founding academic program within the College with the mission of educating culturally-humble physician assistants (PAs) from diverse backgrounds to serve the primary care needs of medically underserved communities. The Associate Program Director and open rank faculty of Physician Assistant Studies will report directly to the CCPA Department Chair / Program Director. The individual will be responsible to support the Program Director in leading and managing all aspects of the didactic and clinical phases of the PA Program and in leading a dedicated team of faculty and staff, and to teach courses, engage in service, and conduct scholarship.


The responsibilities of the Associate Program Director and open rank faculty of Physician Assistant Studies will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following:

  • Collaborate as a member of the programmatic leadership team, consisting of the Department Chair / Program Director, Associate Program Director, Director of Didactic Education, Director of Clinical Education, and Medical Director to achieve a shared vision for becoming recognized as the principal source of PAs from historically underrepresented groups providing culturally humble care to medically underserved communities.
  • Provide leadership and oversight to the program's holistic student admissions process.
  • Oversee a student-centered process to manage academic progression, retention, and completion strategies.
  • Serve as the primary on-campus point of contact for day-to-day program operations, providing leadership and support to didactic students and on-campus faculty and staff
  • Enforce program and university policy among on-campus faculty, staff, and students and resolve time-sensitive student concerns requiring an immediate response
  • Provide on-campus support and mentoring through development and implementation of a new faculty onboarding program and a comprehensive faculty development program.
  • Engage in the community to promote the PA profession, the College, and the University, and to help address critical primary care workforce issues on the Central Coast.
  • Provide leadership for a robust community engagement program for students, faculty, and staff, including local student-driven activities that build student-faculty relationships and support an effective transition between the didactic and clinical year.
  • Support the Director of Clinical Education in maintaining relationships with clinical affiliates and preceptors, including occasional participation in clinical site visits.
  • Serve as a principal faculty member to educate a student body selected for their commitment to the CCPA mission using a holistic admissions process.
  • Support student readiness to achieve all programmatic benchmarks (e.g., PACKRAT and PANCE) through identification of and intervention with at-risk students, in collaboration with program leadership and faculty advisors.
  • Provide leadership for ongoing compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards and best practices in contemporary physician assistant and health professions education.
  • Contribute to the preparation and writing of ARC-PA applications and self-studies, required reports, and other accreditation submissions, ensuring content is accurate, aligned with ARC-PA expectations, and supported through documented evidence.
  • Develop and deliver academic courses as assigned.
  • Conduct and disseminate scholarship.
  • Serve on departmental, college, and university committees as assigned.
  • Engage in community and professional service.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, skills, and accomplishments:

  • Prior academic experience commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate or full professor is preferred.
  • Leadership experience in the design, development, and implementation of didactic and/or clinical education programs in medical education is preferred.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who can clearly articulate how they would contribute to the program's mission and vision.
  • Prior experience in the successful recruitment, onboarding, and development of faculty to be high-quality academics (teaching, service, and scholarship) is preferred.
  • Substantial previous clinical experience is preferred.
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills are required.
  • Skilled in working with a variety of different student learning styles and collaborating with faculty colleagues.
  • Ability to perform duties autonomously with minimal supervision and maintain confidentiality.
  • Licensure in, or eligibility for, licensure in California as a PA, nurse practitioner, or physician (MD/DO) is preferred.
  • Current NCCPA or relevant board certification is preferred.
  • Experience with ARC-PA or another health professions accreditor (e.g., CCNE, LCME, COCA) is preferred
  • Ability to make data-informed decisions, strong attention to detail and organizational skills, and a track record of executing high-priority tasks with high quality and prior to established deadlines.

Interested persons should complete the ATSU employment application online, which includes a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three professional references.


The salary range for this position at the assistant level is 114,400 - 143,000, at the associate level is 131,560 - 164,450, and at the professor level is 157,872 - 197,340. An additional $5,000/year administrative stipend is also available for this position.

  • A sign-on bonus may be available
  • Relocation assistance provided up to $12,000.00
  • Opportunity to practice clinically one day a week to supplement your income

Compensation is determined based on the requirements of the job description with consideration given to the candidate's education, experience, and qualifications, internal equity, budgetary consideration, and external competitiveness.


ATSU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverages, among more. If eligible, employee-elected benefits would begin the first of the month following the hire date. For more information, please visit: atsu.edu/employment/benefits.


A.T. Still University (ATSU) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.