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Program Director Jobs in Waterbury, CT (NOW HIRING)

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GILEAD - Program Director

Middletown, CT

Why This Role Matters Gilead I and II are Gilead's original programs. This is a unique opportunity to lead two highly valued, clinically rich coeducational adult programs thatdeliverhigh quality ...

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Program Director information

See Waterbury, CT salary details

$30.2K

$80K

$140.2K

How much do program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for program director in Waterbury, CT is $80,024.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,200.00 and $94,700.00 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.
More about Program Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in Waterbury, CT?

The most popular types of Program jobs in Waterbury, CT are:

What job categories do people searching Program Director jobs in Waterbury, CT look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Director jobs in Waterbury, CT are:

What cities near Waterbury, CT are hiring for Program Director jobs?

Cities near Waterbury, CT with the most Program Director job openings:

Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Director job openings in Waterbury, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $80,024 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Child Life Program Director

Yale New Haven Health

New Haven, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Yale New Haven Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 232 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

307th of 888 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview
To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
The Yale New Haven Children's Hospital Child Life Program Director will lead the Child Life, Arts for Healing and Resident Dog Programs. Under the guidance of the Program Director, the staff working in these programs will provide therapeutic interventions to support children undergoing hospitalization or outpatient specialty care interventions or procedures, for chronic or acute healthcare issues. The Program Director will serve as the leader directing programs that provide developmental and psychosocial patient support through recreational and therapeutic interventions in a wide-range of care settings reporting under the Children's Hospital. This includes off site locations, inpatient areas, outpatient areas, and all specialty clinical care programs operating within the department. The Program Director will be responsible for developing system standardization and infrastructure for like clinical support programs to ensure that developmental and psychosocial support, and recreational and therapeutic care for pediatric patients is consistent and evidence-based across all delivery networks within our health system. The Program Director will lead the strategy development for this important program and will ensure that it is operating under current, evidence-based and innovative program design and through efficient and cost-effective delivery. The Program Director will assume responsibility for partnering to increase funding and philanthropic support for these programs by working closely with the Yale New Haven Hospital Office of Development to seek additional support for current and future program needs. EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran
Responsibilities
  • 1. Supervises and directs a staff of certified child life specialists, art, recreational and music therapists, and resident dog handlers in providing paly activities, preparation and procedural support to meet the developmental and psychological needs of pediatric patients and their family members. Ensures that staff perform all patient care responsibilities consistent with age-specific criteria and job-related competencies.
    • 1.1 Develop, plan, implement and evaluate art/educational activities and special projects that maintain or develop the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and/or creative development of pediatric patients and their families, in individual and group settings.
  • 2. Establishes goals and objectives of the clinical support programs based upon the hospital/service line business plan as well as the identified needs of children and families. Assesses and evaluates the effectiveness of the program. Develops and reviews clinical support department policies, procedures, job descriptions, role descriptions and program descriptions.Develops and administers the clinical support program budgets and identifies materials needed for programming.
    • 2.1 Communicate with Child Life staff and the clinical care team to obtain patient referrals. Provide a written and/or verbal summary of the patient's and family's response to interactions, as appropriate. Document session outcomes per departmental policy in the patient's permanent medical record.
  • 3. Collaborates directly with Volunteer Services to provide training and evaluation of placement of pediatric program volunteers. Works on special volunteer committees and projects as needed.
    • 3.1 Maintain supplies, equipment and materials specific to the art/educational program and provide assessment of material needs.
  • 4. Plans, implements and evaluates educational programs and materials and resources regarding the psychosocial and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families, as well as educational needs of medical, nursing and other hospital staff in caring for patients in varied developmental stages.
    • 4.1 Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement including collecting, maintaining and analyzing data specific to art/educational program, such as productivity and patient satisfaction. Provide accurate and timely reports.
  • 5. Participates in administrative meetings and work groups as assigned by the Vice President or Executive Director. Participates on community committees and other hospital collaboratives as needed. Works closely with the Departments of Marketing, Public Relations and Development to identify projects, stories and events that highlight high quality patient care and support programming. Collaborates with the Development Office to identify and secure funding support for pediatric clinical support programs.
  • 6. Ensures that staff participate in rounds and regular meetings with medical and nursing staff to integrate developmentally appropriate clinical support programming into patient and family care plans. Holds self and staff accountable to achievement of key hospital performance metrics, including patient experience unit-based targets, quality and safety targets and financial management targets.
  • 7. Stays current with new developments, trends and resources within the fields of child life, art and music therapy and resident pet therapy. Supports staff in maintaining certification, competencies and professional development. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
EDUCATION
Master's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child & Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Recreational Therapy, or related field. Child Life certification required.
EXPERIENCE
A minimum of five years experience as a child life manager in a health care environment. Experience leading Child Life programs with a focus on innovation, cost-effective service delivery and strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations to support program growth and sustainability. Teaching experience strongly preferred. Experience in program development preferred.
LICENSURE
Child life certification required.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital seeks leaders who have the ability to achieve the highest level of safe and effective care as well as exceptional operational performance. Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills; ability to work with multidisciplinary groups in effective collaborative practice. Excellent communication, interpersonal, collaborative and organizational skills. Passion for patient-focused improvement. Must be a patient-oriented team-player with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities. Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects. Committed to the principals of a high -reliability organization.
PHYSICAL DEMAND
Able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.; must comply with appropriate OSHA, HIPAA and JCAHO standards relevant to position.
Additional Information
Individual must have proven history of leadership in Child Life, and outcomes of innovation, program development, philanthropic support and ability to engage employees and teams.
YNHHS Requisition ID
176461

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