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Program Manager Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ralliant

Sr. Program Manager

Hollister, CA · On-site

$122K - $123K/yr

Conducts contract negotiations on assigned programs in concert with the assigned Contract Manager. * Generates and releases program work authorization documentation defining the scope of work ...

Koniag Government Services

Program Manager

Carson, CA · On-site

... in the contract. • Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of cleared technical staff ... The Program Manager must ensure that all personnel maintain their required DoW 8570/8140 ...

Dminds Solutions Inc.

Program Manager

Burbank, CA · Hybrid

Program Manager Location: Burbank CA Basic Qualifications * Bachelor s degree in Business, Project ... Experience with sourcing/vendor management or knowledge of sourcing systems (e.g., Coupa, contract ...

Adecco

Program Manager

Carlsbad, CA

$33.65 - $38.46/hr

You landing a new Program Manager job in Carlsbad, Ca would be pretty good, BUT you landing a new ... Working alongside senior program leadership, you will assist in coordinating projects from contract ...

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All JobsProgram Manager Contract JobsProgram Manager Contract Jobs in California

Program Manager Contract information

See California salary details

$38K

$106.1K

$154.9K

How much do program manager contract jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for program manager contract in California is $106,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Program Manager Contract position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Manager Contract, you need strong project management abilities, expertise in contract negotiation, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience in business or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (such as MS Project or Asana), contract management systems, and certifications like PMP or Contract Management Certification are often preferred. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure smooth program delivery, compliance with contractual obligations, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What is the highest paid program manager?

The highest paid program managers typically work in large corporations or technology firms, earning salaries that can exceed $150,000 annually, with senior or executive-level roles reaching over $200,000 including bonuses and stock options. Factors such as industry, experience, certifications like PMP, and geographic location influence compensation levels.

What are the typical challenges faced by Program Manager Contracts and how can they be overcome?

Program Manager Contracts often face the challenge of balancing multiple projects while ensuring all contractual obligations are met on time and within budget. Navigating complex stakeholder requirements and adapting to changing project scopes are also common hurdles. Successful Program Managers overcome these by maintaining clear communication, prioritizing tasks effectively, and leveraging project management tools to track progress. Building strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams is crucial to navigate and resolve challenges as they arise. Being proactive and detail-oriented can greatly contribute to success in this dynamic role.

What is a Program Manager Contract job?

A Program Manager Contract job is a temporary or fixed-term role where a professional oversees multiple related projects, ensuring alignment with business goals. These managers coordinate teams, manage budgets, mitigate risks, and drive project execution within a specified timeframe. Unlike full-time roles, contract positions typically focus on delivering specific outcomes within a limited duration. Program Manager Contractors may work for a company directly or through a consulting firm. Their expertise is critical in implementing strategic initiatives efficiently.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Manager jobs in California? The most popular types of Program Manager jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Program Manager Contract jobs in California? For Program Manager Contract jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Program Manager Contract jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Program Manager Contract jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Program Manager Contract jobs? Cities in California with the most Program Manager Contract job openings:
Program Manager Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Manager Contract job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,053 per year, or $51 per hour.
Contract Program Manager (Evergreen)

Contract Program Manager (Evergreen)

Blue State

Oakland, CA • On-site

$60 - $90/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Interested in joining Blue State's Media Team? Submit your application here to ensure you're first in line for future opportunities. Please note: this is an "evergreen" job post (i.e. not an active job post), but your expression of interest matters to us. While interviews aren't ongoing, we're excited to connect with talented individuals who share our commitment to Blue State's mission.
If you came across this job via LinkedIn, please note that it is an evergreen role; Linked In does not differentiate, but we prefer to.
What to know
As a Contract Program Manager at Blue State, you'll lead website development and technical consulting projects from start to finish and help nonprofits and progressive organizations to reimagine how they engage audiences through their websites and digital marketing platforms. You'll manage stakeholder relationships and work closely with our Tech, Strategy, Design, and Analytics teams to conduct user research, identify product requirements, create sprint plans, and test and iterate on deliverables for Blue State's unique portfolio of clients. A Program Manager at Blue State is a generalist who creates connections between stakeholders, strategists, designers, engineers, analysts, and content producers
The company
Blue State is a purpose-driven agency. We partner with leading causes, brands, and campaigns and create real change. From AARP and Doctors Without Borders to Amnesty International and Oxfam, we transform how brands and causes raise money, influence policy, build platforms, and grow communities of supporters. Led by the most creative and analytical minds from the political, nonprofit, and brand worlds, Blue State is an independent agency in the US and London.
A day in the life
  • Manage budgets and timelines for website redesigns and other digital projects, including defining scopes and gathering estimates across disciplines.
  • Distill clients' goals and priorities through interviews, workshops, analytics, platform audits, and other forms of research.
  • Write and maintain requirements, ensuring that all functionality, user flows, and edge cases are understood by stakeholders. Documentation could range from lofi sketches to detailed acceptance criteria
  • Minimize exposure to risk on a project by identifying potential scope creep and working with internal teams and client stakeholders to mitigate this risk
  • Help create sprint plans and release schedules.
  • Develop testing and measurement plans in coordination with strategists and analysts.
  • Manage multiple website build projects simultaneously and understand project priorities in the context of agency and client expectations
  • Manage stakeholder feedback, evaluating all proposed features against the product scope and ensuring that bugs are reported and prioritized correctly. Provide creative recommendations based on your technical expertise when features don't fit in the budget. Make the tough calls when scope needs to be cut.
  • Support the greater Business Development team with the scoping of new client product engagements. Estimate effort, ensure that team members are aligned on what's being proposed, and guard against proposals that aren't feasible.
  • Manage operational aspects of projects, including communication of client needs to team and vice versa as well as resourcing and financial health tracking.
  • Lead project status meetings and updates with internal teams and clients.
  • Use AI to accelerate your work such as writing requirements or organizing inputs.

We approach in-office working with a hybrid model. On-site presence is welcome for US staff who are within commuting distance of the NY or DC office. Managers retain discretion to require in-person attendance for folks on their discipline or client teams as necessary, including for those whose roles require them to be in person. To enter our US offices or attend Blue State events, staff and visitors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including with a booster shot when eligible. Exceptions for protected grounds will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The salary range for this position is $60-$90 per hour; compensation will be commensurate with experience.
The team
You'll be a part of our global website development practice that consists of designers, developers, strategists, and other creative folks. We're veterans of presidential campaigns, agencies, nonprofits, and the tech world who want our work to matter, are passionate about technology, and aim to continually improve the work we do. We collaborate very closely remotely and, optionally, from our offices in New York, DC, and London.
Some things we're looking for
  1. 3+ years of experience in program management or similar roles such as product management or technical project management.
  2. Experience with CMS-driven websites, such as those built on WordPress. You will not architect a WordPress site yourself, but you help steer designers and engineers in directions that are feasible and align with client goals.
  3. Familiarity with and interest in marketing platforms, including CRMs, and data and personalization technology used by organizations to engage and mobilize their supporters.
  4. Willingness to wear multiple hats and get into the weeds in order to reach a milestone, whether that means logging into the CMS to fix content, sketching a quick feature to clarify a proposal, or having a difficult conversation with a vendor.
  5. Ability to use wireframes to communicate recommendations to design teams.
  6. Cognizance of the overall AI landscape and the ability to evaluate AI outputs critically.
  7. Excellent communication skills. Ability to interact with engineers, designers, and business stakeholders alike.
  8. Strong collaborator and relationship builder. Colleagues know they can come to you for help working through delicate issues or opportunities.
  9. Empathy, positivity, respect, and the ability to be a role model at Blue State.

At Blue State, diversity is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. We encourage those from underrepresented communities - women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between - to apply. Even if you don't think your current skill set checks every box below, but this role seems to align with your strengths, we want to hear from you.
Blue State is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible application and interview process. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact us at recruiting@bluestate.co with the subject line: Accommodation Request to get started.
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