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Programming Director Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Director-Engineering

Chicago, IL · Remote

$170K - $200K/yr

Director (Engineering) Location: Remote Hire Type: Direct Compensation: $170,000 - $200,000 Must have Skill Set: Professional Engineer (PE) license, experience with natural gas pipeline and facility ...

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Programming Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$29.9K

$71.4K

$180.3K

How much do programming director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for programming director in Chicago, IL is $71,437.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $95,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a programming director typically collaborate with other departments to ensure successful project execution?

A Programming Director regularly works cross-functionally with marketing, production, technical, and content teams to align programming schedules with organizational goals. They attend planning meetings, coordinate timelines, and ensure all stakeholders are informed about upcoming projects or changes. Effective communication and negotiation are crucial, as the role often involves balancing creative vision with operational constraints. This collaborative environment helps ensure that projects are delivered on time and meet the quality standards expected by both the organization and its audience.

Is programming director a stressful job?

A programming director often faces high-pressure situations due to managing project deadlines, team coordination, and budget constraints. The role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle multiple priorities, which can contribute to stress levels. However, stress varies depending on the organization, workload, and individual resilience.

What is the role of programming director?

A programming director oversees the development and scheduling of programming content for television, radio, or digital platforms. They coordinate with producers, writers, and technical teams to ensure content aligns with audience interests and organizational goals, often managing budgets and deadlines. Strong leadership, industry knowledge, and familiarity with content management systems are essential skills for this role.

What does a programming director do?

A Programming Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing the content and schedule of programs for a television or radio station, or sometimes for digital media platforms. They decide which shows, segments, or content will be aired and when, ensuring the programming aligns with the station's target audience and business objectives. In addition to content selection, they often manage a team of producers and coordinate with marketing and sales departments to optimize audience engagement and revenue. Their role is crucial in shaping the station's identity and maintaining high-quality, engaging programming.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a programming director?

To thrive as a Programming Director, you need expertise in content strategy, scheduling, and audience analysis, usually backed by a degree in communications, media, or a related field. Familiarity with broadcast automation systems, analytics tools, and content management platforms is essential. Leadership, decision-making, and strong interpersonal skills help you guide teams and collaborate with stakeholders effectively. These skills ensure compelling programming, efficient operations, and alignment with organizational goals in a competitive media environment.

What is the difference between Programming Director vs Software Developer?

AspectProgramming DirectorSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Management experienceBachelor's in Computer Science or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, strategic planningWrites code, develops software, tests applications
Industry UsageUsed in media, entertainment, tech companies for overseeing programmingCommon across tech, startups, software firms
Search IntentRoles involving leadership and project oversightRoles focused on coding and software creation

The Programming Director typically oversees programming teams and manages project strategies, requiring leadership skills and industry experience. In contrast, a Software Developer focuses on coding and developing software applications. While both roles require technical knowledge, the Programming Director's role is more managerial, whereas the Software Developer's role is more technical and hands-on.

More about Programming Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Programming jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Programming jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Programming Director jobs in Chicago, IL? For Programming Director jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Programming Director jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Programming Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Programming Director jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Programming Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Programming Director job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,437 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Director, Engineering (Distribution)

Novolex

Lake Forest, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Novolex rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 102 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 119 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.


Position Summary

The BU Engineering Director is responsible for leading engineering activities across an assigned business unit and supporting operational performance, manufacturing readiness, reliability improvement, capital project execution, and adoption of enterprise engineering standards across manufacturing plants. This role leads Operating Unit Engineering teams within the business unit while partnering cross-functionally to drive engineering alignment, operational performance, technical issue resolution, and effective execution of prioritized capital initiatives across manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities
  • Ensure compliance with company safety standards, engineering standards, and operational procedures.
  • Lead engineering activities across assigned business unit operations.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, technical support, and capability-building for Operating Unit Engineers within the business unit.
  • Drive process optimization, reliability improvement, and engineering performance across manufacturing sites, including uptime, throughput, yield, and scrap reduction.
  • Lead escalation management and support troubleshooting for complex operational, technical, process, and reliability issues across manufacturing sites.
  • Drive adoption and implementation of enterprise engineering standards, tools, governance, and best practices across manufacturing sites.
  • Support manufacturing readiness, startup stabilization, and operational performance improvement initiatives.
  • Lead prioritization and execution of capital projects within the business unit, ensuring alignment to operational needs, business priorities, engineering standards, scope, schedule, budget, and safety expectations.
  • Partner with Capital Project Engineering, Operations, and plant leadership to support project planning, readiness, execution, startup, stabilization, and benefits realization for approved capital initiatives.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications

Essential

  • 10+ years of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, reliability engineering, or technical operations experience.
  • 5+ years of leadership or technical leadership experience supporting manufacturing operations.
  • Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations across 20+ plants.
  • Experience improving operational performance related to throughput, uptime, reliability, yield, scrap reduction, and process capability.
  • Experience supporting process troubleshooting, operational stabilization, and manufacturing readiness initiatives.
  • Experience supporting capital project planning, execution, startup, stabilization, and operational handoff within manufacturing environments.
  • Experience driving engineering standardization and best practice adoption across manufacturing operations.
  • Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and cross-functional coordination capability.
  • Ability to coach, mentor, and support engineering teams across 20+ plants.
  • Ability to operate effectively within matrixed manufacturing organizations.
  • Proficiency using common office technology and tools.

Preferred

  • Experience supporting packaging, plastics, injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, molded fiber, paper, or related manufacturing operations.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline highly preferred.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $180,000 - $220,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

 

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#LI-Remote


What You'll Get From UsBenefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen


What Novolex employees say

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