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Program Director Jobs in Tampa, FL (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary The Director supports Strategic Improvement initiatives and has the responsibility to provide direction and oversight of the specific federal program(s}. This position has full ...

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

PROGRAM DIRECTOR II

Tampa, FL · On-site

$60K - $98K/yr

PROGRAM DIRECTOR II The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: Directs operations of a programmatic function. Operates with a high degree of independence. Responsible for ...

Direct and manage the daily operations of all educational activities within the Department. * Provide daily management and oversight of all educational programs, ensuring effective coordination and ...

PROGRAM DIRECTOR II

Tampa, FL · On-site

$60K - $98K/yr

PROGRAM DIRECTOR II The University of Alabama at Birmingham General Responsibilities: The Program Director II will lead operational support for clinical research and training programs in the Program ...

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Program Director information

See Tampa, FL salary details

$27.9K

$73.9K

$129.5K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Tampa, FL is $73,896.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,100.00 and $87,400.00 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 Tampa, FL?

The most popular types of Program jobs in Tampa, FL are:

What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Tampa, FL look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Tampa, FL are:

What cities near Tampa, FL are hiring for Program Director jobs?

Cities near Tampa, FL with the most Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Tampa, FL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,896 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago


University Of South Florida rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

362nd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description


Position Location: This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.
Organizational Unit
The Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy (ISCP}, which is part of the College of Education, envisions that all schools in the state of Florida and nationally will have the capacity to provide a safe, effective, and efficient environment to continuously improve the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students and to actively engage families and communities in education. The ISCP's nearly $23 million budget is derived from grants from federal, state, and private sources. It is the mission of the ISCP to implement and evaluate research-based and innovative practices in school and community settings. This is accomplished through (a} training, technical assistance, and support to key partners; (b} community-engaged research and program evaluation to inform key partners' decision making; (c} the development of research and evidence-based documents, tools, and resources to support implementation and evaluation activities; and (d} supporting the infrastructure and capacity of key partners to implement and evaluate federal and state educational policy.
Position Summary
The Director supports Strategic Improvement initiatives and has the responsibility to provide direction and oversight of the specific federal program(s}. This position has full administrative responsibility, under the direction of the Bureau Chief, State Grant Director and Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Improvement, for: oversight of staff, program development and implementation, as well as the monitoring of the project budget. The Director must be productive and facilitate meeting deadlines, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and high performance. The Director must interact professionally with all stakeholders while demonstrating, modeling, and reinforcing the Department's fundamental values of quality, fairness, cooperation, respect, commitment, excellence, honesty and teamwork. This position is grant funded.
Responsibilities
Special Requirements: This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.
Responsibilities
Lead federal program development and oversight. These duties include developing and reviewing program applications and amendments; establishing and maintaining a budget that reflects the goals of the FDOE to meet the needs of the federal program; facilitating the collection and review of data relative to the federal program to improve outcomes annually; and ensuring program compliance with organizational, state and federal rules and regulations.
Monitor school district compliance with federal program requirements. These duties include facilitating the review of applications (including plans, budgets, deliverables [if applicable] and other documents) submitted by stakeholders, the development of annual Tier I and II compliance monitoring activities, and the performance of real-time monitoring and reporting requirements.
Facilitating and providing training, technical assistance, guidance, and support to FDOE and school district personnel. Guidance and support are provided in the following areas in coordination with Assistant Program Directors and staff: grant management, compliance with federal and state rules and regulations. Directors also facilitate training and technical assistance on a variety of topics that relate to the federal program(s) to build FDOE and school personnel staff capacity to implement educational policies and practices. These activities occur through face-to-face (e.g., school district site visits, conferences) and virtual (e.g., conference calls, webinars) platforms.
Supervise and manage federal program staff. These duties include directing the operation, management, and hiring of staff; completing timely performance appraisals for direct reports; developing work plans for staff (plans include objectives and scope and details of tasks to be performed); and approving monthly attendance and leave for each position under their direct report.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
NOTE: This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.
Minimum Qualifications: This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a field directly related to the program responsibilities and seven years of professional experience; or Master's degree and 5 years of professional experience.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications: Degree should be in education or a related field given the need to work with school, district, and state personnel to implement federal and state educational policy. Administrative and grant management experience needed to carry out essential job duties (3 years of administrative experience).
Requires: Criminal History Background Check - Level 1
Requires: Criminal History Background Check - Level 2
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

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About University of South Florida

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of South Florida (USF), located in Tampa, FL, US, is a highly respected, long-standing institution specializing in teaching, research, and public service. It operates within the higher education industry and offers over 180 undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral degree programs, across disciplines ranging from arts and sciences to business, engineering, and healthcare. Founded in the year 1956, USF has relentlessly strived to develop an environment conducive to learning and research, which over the years, has earned it a preeminent status among public universities across the globe. USF's mission is to foster a vibrant, student-centric learning environment that instills an expansive intellectual foundation to drive success. USF is known for its considerable impact on regional and state economies, contributing $5 billion annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tampa, FL, US

Year founded

1956

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