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Program Operations Director Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

The VP will partner closely with Medical Directors, Product, Technology, Data Science, and Client Success teams to support program implementation, clinical workflow optimization, and operational ...

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... Director to help deliver a turnaround program for one of its Flagship facilities, and help ... Drive operational excellence by optimizing manufacturing processes, improving productivity ...

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Supervise Direct Support Professionals * Oversee the day-to-day operation of the program including delivery of supports, implementation of person-centered plans, health care, advocacy, customer ...

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Showing results 41-60

Program Operations Director information

See Madison, WI salary details

$34.3K

$108.5K

$180.9K

How much do program operations director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for program operations director in Madison, WI is $108,502.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,100.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Program Operations Director do?

A Program Operations Director oversees the daily operations and strategic management of programs within an organization. They ensure that programs are executed efficiently, meet organizational goals, and comply with relevant regulations and standards. Their responsibilities often include coordinating between departments, managing budgets, supervising staff, and evaluating program effectiveness. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills to keep programs running smoothly and achieving desired outcomes.

What are some common challenges a Program Operations Director faces in managing cross-functional teams?

A Program Operations Director often encounters challenges related to aligning priorities and communication across diverse departments such as finance, HR, and project management. Coordinating these groups requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure everyone is working towards shared objectives and deadlines. Additionally, adapting to shifting project scopes and managing resource constraints are frequent hurdles, making flexibility and problem-solving essential traits for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Operations Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Operations Director, you need strong leadership abilities, program management experience, and a background in business administration or a related field. Proficiency with project management software, data analysis tools, and relevant certifications like PMP are often important. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help you motivate teams and navigate complex operational challenges. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring that programs run efficiently, achieve goals, and align with organizational strategy.

What is the difference between Program Operations Director vs Program Manager?

AspectProgram Operations DirectorProgram Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple programs, strategic planning, and high-level operationsManages individual programs, project execution, and team coordination
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree, often a master’s, with experience in operations or managementUsually requires a bachelor’s degree, with project management experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level setting, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationProject teams, day-to-day program execution, stakeholder communication
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors for overseeing multiple initiativesUsed across industries for managing specific projects within programs

The Program Operations Director focuses on strategic oversight and managing multiple programs at a high level, while the Program Manager handles the execution of individual programs. Both roles require relevant experience and credentials, but the Director operates at a broader, more strategic level.

What job categories do people searching Program Operations Director jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Operations Director jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Program Operations Director jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Program Operations Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Program Operations Director job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 74% In-person, and 26% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $108,502 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Program & Project Management Associate Director

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.

Madison, WI • On-site

$150 - $160/hr

Other

Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Salary

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category

Limited

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

IT Director I (Inst)

Job Summary

Are you passionate about leading large-scale initiatives and building high-performing teams? Join our team as the Associate Director of Program and Project Management and play a key leadership role in advancing the university's critical technology, cybersecurity, and transformational changes.

As a member of the Portfolio and Project Management Office (PPMO) leadership team, you will lead a team of professionals responsible for delivering complex, enterprise-wide programs and projects. This role advances program and project management capabilities, strengthens enterprise planning practices, and helps ensure the university's strategic investments deliver meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, researchers, and staff.

Key Responsibilities
  • Practice Leadership: Playing a pivotal role in driving our organization's objectives by overseeing the program and project management practices. Your expertise in these functions will be essential to leading the team to deliver the intended value of our portfolio.
  • Team Management: Managing a diverse and talented team of professionals will be at the heart of your responsibilities. Your strong leadership and motivational skills will foster collaboration, excellence, and a positive work culture.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders will be key to achieving our desired outcomes. Your effective communication and negotiation skills will drive successful project delivery and stakeholder satisfaction at its core.
  • Continuous Improvement: Championing a culture of continuous improvement. You will inspire and empower the team to identify opportunities to optimize our practices, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve excellence in our practices and the outcomes we deliver.
  • Coaching and Mentoring: Empowering team members to reach their full potential will be a rewarding aspect of your role. Your passion for mentoring and coaching individuals will contribute to their professional growth and career success.

This position resides within the Portfolio and Project Management Office (PPMO), a department within the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). The PPMO comprises more than 20 professionals providing portfolio management, program management, project management, business analysis, and organizational change management services. The PPMO oversees strategic and high-value IT programs and projects sponsored by DoIT, UW-Madison, and Universities of Wisconsin partners.

The candidate selected for this position may perform a combination of on-site and remote work subject to an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA), which is reviewed and approved annually. Remote work requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) is an exciting and dynamic work environment grounded in organizational principles that include family and personal life/work balance; an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment; professional development opportunities; innovation; and alignment with the campus's teaching, learning, and research missions. DoIT provides core IT infrastructure services to the university, develops and implements services for the university and in some cases, for the Universities of Wisconsin, plays a major role in managing the state-wide higher education network and regional networks.

Key Job Responsibilities
  • Serves as a liaison representing the interests of the institution to internal and external stakeholders
  • Advises institutional or divisional leadership on information technology operations and business models
  • May perform manager functions
  • Directs strategic information technology planning initiatives and establishes objectives for the institution to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, staffing resources in alignment with the strategic plan
  • Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
  • Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Department

Division of Information Technology, Portfolio & Project Management Office (PPMO)

The IT Portfolio & Project Management Office (PPMO) is a collaborative team of program and project managers, business analysts, change managers, and portfolio professionals. In partnership with stakeholders across the university, we play a pivotal role in delivering strategic projects that advance the university’s mission and vision.

Compensation

Starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Well qualified applicants can anticipate to earn between $150,000 -$160,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/.

Required Qualifications
  • Progressively responsible experience in project, program, and portfolio management, including operational leadership responsibilities.
  • Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and cultivating strong relationships with leaders, stakeholders, and business units to achieve strategic outcomes.
  • Proven experience leading the development and enhancement of business processes, service practices, and program and project management frameworks that support organizational effectiveness, change readiness, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, developing, and supporting professional staff, including managing multiple direct reports and fostering high-performing environments.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the professional principles of project management and delivery competencies, as evidenced by a Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), certification or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience managing team workloads, resource allocation, and prioritization across concurrent initiatives, including environments utilizing cost-recovery or chargeback funding models.
  • Experience leading the successful completion of large-scale enterprise programs and initiatives, demonstrating an understanding of IT organizational structures, staffing models, and diverse technology domains.
  • Experience working in higher education, research, government, healthcare, or other complex shared governance environments.
Education

Bachelor's Degree Preferred Minimum

Contact Information:

DoIT Human Resources, doit-hr@doit.wisc.edu, 608-263-1790

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the HumanResources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis.Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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