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Program Director Jobs in Smithfield, RI (NOW HIRING)

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Program Director information

See Smithfield, RI salary details

$28.3K

$75.1K

$131.7K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Smithfield, RI is $75,142.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,900.00 and $88,900.00 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 Smithfield, RI? The most popular types of Program jobs in Smithfield, RI are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Smithfield, RI look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Smithfield, RI are:
What cities near Smithfield, RI are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near Smithfield, RI with the most Program Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Smithfield, RI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,142 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Walden - Program Director, Inpatient Clinical Services

Walden Behavioral Care

Dedham, MA • On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Grow with us!
Program Director, Inpatient Clinical Services
Walden Behavioral Care
Dedham, MA
Walden Behavioral Care is one of the only rapidly growing, leading national specialty healthcare systems dedicated to serving all genders and offering the full continuum of care for people with all types of eating disorders. We currently have 14-locations on the East Coast in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Georgia. Over the past 15 years, utilizing our state-of-the-art evidence-based, personalized approach to care, we have helped over 20,000 people on their road to recovery. Headquartered in Massachusetts we have over 450 employees who are dedicated to helping people with eating disorders get the help they need and deserve. Learn more at www.waldenbehavioralcare.com.
The Program Director of Inpatient Clinical Services serves as the senior clinical leader for inpatient programming. This position is responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and performance of all inpatient clinical services, including the Clinical Department, therapeutic and expressive therapy programming, and group treatment model. The Program Director leads by example and ensures the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care while driving program innovation and clinical excellence. The Program Director partners closely with Medical Staff, Nursing, Nutrition, and Clinical Executive Leadership to advance clinical outcomes, enhance patient experience, and support organizational growth.
Pay: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00 depending on education and experience
Total Rewards:
Discover a rewarding career with us and enjoy an array of comprehensive benefits! We prioritize your success and well-being, providing:
  • Competitive compensation
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage (Benefits At a Glance)
  • Retirement
  • Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and short-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development
  • And many more!

At Walden we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace, where we celebrate our employees, our patients and the communities we work with. In recruiting for our team we welcome the unique contributions only you can bring in terms of your education, culture, opinions, experience and background. Join us and find out how you can make a difference today.
Responsibilities Include:
Clinical & Program Leadership:
  1. Provides oversight of inpatient clinical services and programming.
  2. Provides clinical leadership, supervision, and support to staff in managing complex patient situations, including direct involvement in patient and family interactions, problem-solving, and care coordination as needed.
  3. Establishes and drives the vision, structure, and ongoing evolution of the inpatient treatment model.
  4. Oversees the development and execution of the therapeutic group schedule to ensure clinical effectiveness and innovation.
  5. Ensures delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care across inpatient units while maintaining patient confidentiality and upholding patient rights.
  6. Partners with Executive Medical Director, Director of Nursing, and Director of Clinical Nutrition to ensure integrated, multidisciplinary care.
  7. Ensures alignment of clinical programming with organizational goals and industry best practices.

Department & Talent Management:
  1. Provides leadership and oversight of the Clinical Department through direct supervision of the Clinical Director.
  2. Oversees the Director of Integrative Therapies to ensure effective integration of expressive therapies into group programming and appropriate patient group attendance
  3. Ensures appropriate staffing models, productivity, and workforce planning aligned with census and budget.
  4. Recruits, trains, develops, manages, supervises, and retains high-performing Clinicians.
  5. Develops and implements strategies to improve staff engagement, retention, and overall stability within the clinical department.
  6. Establishes clear expectations and accountability for performance across the clinical team and participates in performance improvement initiatives.
  7. Completes performance evaluations and supports leadership development of direct reports.
  8. Leads and oversees the clinical intern training program.

Quality, Compliance & Performance Improvement:
  1. Monitors and drives performance on key clinical and operational indicators established by organizational leadership, including patient weight restoration trends, discharge performance metrics, clinical outcomes (including EDE-Q and PHQ-9 measures), documentation compliance, and other quality indicators (including group and meal attendance, weight restoration, and treatment completion).
  2. Ensures full compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards, as well as adherence to all organizational policies and procedures.
  3. Leads clinical quality improvement initiatives, including outcome measurement and program evaluation, and ensures alignment and integrity with company-wide clinical processes.
  4. Monitors clinical documentation, group participation, and effectiveness, and patient experience metrics (such as Google Reviews and NPS scores).
  5. Partners with leadership to prepare for and successfully navigate regulatory surveys.
  6. Develops and implements clinical policies, procedures, and competencies.

Financial & Operational Performance:
  1. Manages departmental operations within established financial targets and budgets.
  2. Partners with the Executive Director and Finance to monitor census, program utilization, and revenue.
  3. Oversees efficient utilization of clinical resources and supports length of stay optimization.
  4. Collaborates with Utilization Review to ensure alignment with payer expectations and authorization processes, especially when it comes to Clinicians' documentation.
  5. Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency and program profitability.

Strategic Growth, Marketing & External Relations:
  1. Serves as a key contributor to strategic planning and growth initiatives for inpatient services.
  2. Maintains awareness of market trends, referral patterns, and competitive landscape.
  3. Collaborates with Outreach to support referral relationships and program positioning, including attending conferences and outreach meetings within the region.
  4. Represents the organization in professional and community settings as needed.

Leadership & Organizational Contribution:
  1. Serves as a core member of the hospital leadership team.
  2. Drives a culture of collaboration, accountability, and clinical excellence.
  3. Facilitates effective communication across departments and disciplines.
  4. Leads change management initiatives and supports organizational priorities.
  5. Models professionalism and adherence to the organization's mission and values.
  6. Participates in required trainings, meetings, and leadership forums.

Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, or related behavioral health field.
  • A minimum of 10 years of progressive clinical experience, and a minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role within behavioral health. Significant experience in inpatient psychiatric and eating disorder settings preferred.
  • Licensed independent clinician in Massachusetts (LICSW, LMHC, PhD)
  • Advanced knowledge of inpatient psychiatric programming and multidisciplinary treatment models.
  • Strong understanding of Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulatory requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, drive change, and execute strategic initiatives.
  • Experience with financial management, utilization review, and payer dynamics.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

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