ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Program Director Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Unissant

Program Director

Herndon, VA · On-site

The Program Director must have at least 10 years of Program Management experience involving large Information Technology (IT) program(s), including Agile software development methodologies and ...

UNISSANT

Program Director

Washington, DC

The Program Director must have at least 10 years of Program Management experience involving large Information Technology (IT) program(s), including Agile software development methodologies and ...

Sparksoft Corporation

Program Director

Columbia, MD · On-site +1

$160K - $210K/yr

As the program director, oversees coordination of personnel and resources required to successfully complete projects. Prepares budget, directs staffing, recruitments and client/stakeholder ...

Parsons Corporation

Program Director

Reston, VA · On-site

$157K - $283K/yr

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Program Director to join our team! In this role you will get to lead a global, high-impact technical program supporting federal partners and advancing ...

ATCC

Program Director

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$200K - $230K/yr

The Program Director implements best-practice tools and models to facilitate project prioritization and support go/no go threshold decisions within functional units and/or across the enterprise ...

AKQA

Program Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$3.6K - $4.4K/wk

Program Directors at AKQA are essential figures in delivering and managing complex, portfolio-level client engagements. They bring extensive experience structuring and leading multi-million dollar ...

Parsons

Program Director

Reston, VA

$157K - $283K/yr

Direct staffing for the program, including recruitment, onboarding, and identifying candidates to fill personnel vacancies. Prepare weekly and monthly reports and deliverables as required by the ...

RecruitTalent LLC.

Program Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$70 - $85/hr

* PD to serve as the primary interface to the Program Manager and COR. * The PD shall maintain supervisory control over all personnel assigned to perform work under this contract. * The PD must possess ...

Leidos

Program Director

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$154K - $278K/yr

This Key Program Manager position offers a career building, high-impact opportunity for the right leader. The position is responsible for planning, organizing, securing and managing resources to ...

New

i9 Sports

Assistant Program Director

Leesburg, VA · On-site

The Assistant Program Director manages the day-to-day operation of the local sports franchise including marketing, coach recruitment, supervision of game-day operations, and customer service. In ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Silver Spring, MD · On-site +1

DOE Program Director Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR! - At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Fulton, MD · On-site +1

DOE Program Director Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR! - At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProgram Director JobsProgram Director Jobs in Washington, DC

Program Director information

See Washington, DC salary details

$33.4K

$88.6K

$155.2K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Washington, DC is $88,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $104,800.00 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 jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Program Directors in certain industries, such as healthcare, technology, or large nonprofit organizations, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities. High-level executive roles like CEOs or CFOs often surpass this threshold, but they are not specific to the Program Director position. Compensation varies widely based on industry, organization size, and geographic location.

Is a Program Director higher than a program manager?

A Program Director typically holds a higher-level leadership role than a program manager, overseeing multiple projects or programs and setting strategic goals. Program managers focus on managing individual projects within a program, executing plans, and ensuring deliverables. The hierarchy can vary by organization, but generally, Program Directors have broader responsibilities and authority than program managers.

What is the role of a Program Director?

A Program Director oversees the planning, implementation, and management of multiple related projects within an organization to achieve strategic goals. They coordinate teams, allocate resources, monitor progress, and ensure programs meet deadlines and budgets, often requiring strong leadership and communication skills. The role may also involve reporting to stakeholders and ensuring compliance with policies and standards.

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 area. Many roles also prefer or require a master's degree or relevant certifications, along with experience in leadership, project management, or the specific program area.
More about Program Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Program jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Director jobs in Washington, DC? For Program Director jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Washington, DC are:
What cities near Washington, DC are hiring for Program Director jobs? Cities near Washington, DC with the most Program Director job openings:
Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,564 per year, or $42.6 per hour.
Program Director

Program Director

Unissant

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Unissant, Inc. delivers innovative capabilities to the agencies that keep our nation healthy and safe. We apply our domain expertise, data acumen, and technology know-how to achieve breakthrough results for our clients. Working collaboratively, we advance missions and careers through a focus on honesty, integrity, and dependability. We continuously look for talent, excited to join that effort. To learn more about our exciting organization, please visit us at .
We are seeking a Program Director (PD) to join our team and support our client in the Washington DC metro area. The Program Director must have at least 10 years of Program Management experience involving large Information Technology (IT) program(s), including Agile software development methodologies and related systems supporting federal Homeland Security customers.
The selected candidate will be responsible for overall delivery, performance, and organic growth of the program, including oversight, subcontractor and resource management, risk management, service delivery, customer relationship management, service operations, and incident management for a large enterprise IT software development, operations and maintenance program environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director will
  • Serve as the primary liaison with the federal customer, leading regular meetings and ad hoc discussions to ensure effective communication and alignment. Act as the single point of contact for resolving contract issues, managing shifting priorities, and collaborating with government leadership to address high-priority tasks promptly and effectively
  • Oversee all project management and administrative functions associated with the contract, scheduled/delivery, personnel, onboarding, subcontracts, maintaining accountability for successful execution and delivery of program objectives
  • Lead a team of senior professionals to deliver exceptional services, ensuring proper resource allocation, team communication, performance management, and reporting. Oversee contractor clearance submissions, PIV card processing, GFE issuance, and management of all required government documentation to meet contract objectives and customer expectations
  • Work with individual Project Managers to manage P&L, budgets and forecast through financial controls as well as establish and implement metrics and key performance indicators to manage various projects and report results to senior management and the customer
  • Collaborate closely with Government Contracting Officer Representatives, other contractors, agile team leaders, and Unissant Project Managers to ensure project oversight and milestone delivery. Communicate and keep Unissant management and client stakeholders aware of project status, budget utilization, issues, risks, and successes. Escalate critical items as needed
  • Proactively identify and advocate for opportunities to enhance program efficiencies and introduce innovative approaches and deliver added value to the customer. Develop and present business cases that clearly articulate and quantify the potential return on investment for expanded program initiatives beyond the current scope

Work Experience (Required):
  • Must have prior portfolio and/or program management experience overseeing revenue in $80M-$150M range with at least 10-15 years in IT systems integration and/or large IT service organizations, including managing client relationships and expectations at the management level
  • Experience and understanding of managing complex, multi-contractor development and delivery efforts
  • Experience leading highly effective teams in agile software delivery, application modernization, cloud migration and architectural transition experience
  • Must have proven experience with conflict resolution and demonstrate strengths in organizational skills required in selecting, motivating and developing support staff
  • Demonstrate proven track record to successfully manage software development projects, identify operational and process risks, and formulate and implement effective mitigation strategies

Job Skills:
  • Knowledge of IT Agile Methodologies (DevOps/DevSecOps)
  • Knowledge of Homeland Security Customers, Missions, and Systems preferred
  • Enthusiastic, proactive, positive attitude with great listening skills and high integrity
  • Ability to teach, grow and coach a team
  • Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail and ability to effectively manage programs supporting multiple businesses
  • Ability to think and act strategically and proactively
  • Strong desire to mentor, coach team members while providing oversight for all aspects of relevant Program(s)
  • Able to work under pressure (at times) and to be extremely flexible under changing priorities
  • Able to find innovative ways to solve problems

Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree is required. Preferably in the following fields or similar: Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Operations Management
  • MBA/Master's Degree in a relevant field of study preferred

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:
  • This position requires the candidate to be a US citizen with current or active DHS clearance; active or prior TS/SCI is preferred
  • CSM certification preferred
  • Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is required

Communication Skills:
  • Excellent verbal and written skills, ability to present proposals and performance data, comfortable interfacing all levels of organization
  • Ability to interface, inspire, and motivate at various levels of the organization and with client stakeholders
  • Ability to convey complex technical, architectural, and strategic information to non-technical individuals
  • Demonstrated experience communicating effectively across internal and external organizations
  • Ability to work well in a matrixed team environment

Travel:
  • This is an on-site position in the Northern Virginia

Environmental Requirements:
  • Mainly sedentary; in an office environment.
  • May be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds
  • Flexible in working extended hours

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Unissant management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, where applicable and available, reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.
Please note: Candidate(s) will be required to go through pre-employment screening.
Unissant, Inc. is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer! (EOE; M/F/Disability/Vets)

Apply