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Programs Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

BAE Systems

Dir II- Programs

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$173K - $294K/yr

The Airborne Navigation Director II will own the end-to-end strategy, development, delivery, and ... Leading a team of program managers and supported by a cross functional organization of over 900 ...

Sevita

Program Director

Burlington, IA · On-site

$53K/yr

Manage the day-to-day operations of one to four programs in a community including organization and implementation of direct supports, person-centered planning, and implementation, health care ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Marshalltown, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Inwood, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Dubuque, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Pleasant Hill, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Bondurant, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Hudson, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Rock Rapids, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Bettendorf, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Iowa Falls, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Bloomfield, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Marion, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Reinbeck, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Dallas Center, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

New

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Iowa City, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Newton, IA · On-site

What You'll Do As program director, you'll help lead and grow your community's LifeWise program by: Building Community Relationships * Develop positive partnerships with school leaders, parents ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrograms JobsPrograms Director JobsPrograms Director Jobs in Iowa

Programs Director information

See Iowa salary details

$27.7K

$73.4K

$128.7K

How much do programs director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for programs director in Iowa is $73,446.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,800.00 and $86,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Programs Directors in large organizations or corporations can earn around $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities. High-level executive roles such as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite positions also often reach or exceed this salary level, typically requiring strong strategic skills, industry expertise, and a track record of success.

What is the difference between Programs Director vs Program Coordinator?

AspectPrograms Director
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in a related field; some roles prefer a master's degree or certifications in program management
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple programs or departments, often in nonprofit, education, or government sectors
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly found in organizations managing large-scale initiatives, overseeing program staff and budgets
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare Programs Director with Program Coordinator to understand differences in responsibilities and seniority

The Programs Director typically holds a higher-level leadership role, overseeing multiple programs and strategic planning, while a Program Coordinator handles day-to-day program operations. The comparison helps job seekers and employers distinguish between strategic oversight and operational roles within organizations.

What are the four major jobs of program directors?

Program directors are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs to meet organizational goals. They oversee staff, manage budgets, coordinate activities, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential for success in this role.

What is the role of a program director?

A program director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of multiple projects within an organization or department. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, set goals, and ensure programs meet organizational objectives, often requiring strong leadership, communication skills, and familiarity with project management tools. The role may also involve reporting to stakeholders and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.

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

To thrive as a Programs Director, you need strong leadership abilities, strategic planning skills, and experience managing multiple projects or initiatives, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with project management software, budgeting tools, and reporting systems is typically required, along with certifications like PMP being advantageous. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and team-building skills help a Programs Director lead diverse teams and engage stakeholders effectively. These skills and qualities are essential for driving organizational goals, ensuring program success, and maintaining alignment between teams and strategic objectives.

What are some common challenges a Programs Director faces when overseeing multiple projects simultaneously?

Programs Directors often manage several projects at once, which can make balancing competing priorities and resources a major challenge. Coordinating cross-functional teams, ensuring consistent communication, and aligning project goals with organizational strategy require strong leadership and adaptability. It’s important to implement effective project management systems, delegate tasks appropriately, and foster collaboration to keep all programs on track and within budget. Regularly reviewing progress and being proactive in addressing issues can help mitigate these challenges and ensure overall program success.

What does a programs director do?

A programs director oversees the planning, development, and implementation of programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, set goals, and ensure programs meet objectives and standards, often requiring strong leadership and project management skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Programs jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Programs Director jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Programs Director job openings:
Programs Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Programs Director job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,446 per year, or $35.3 per hour.
Dir II- Programs

Dir II- Programs

BAE Systems

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$173K - $294K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

BAE Systems rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 145 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 46 rated military and defense

Job description


BAE Systems' Navigation and Sensor Systems (NSS) is a global leader in GPS receiver, anti-jam, and navigation technologies for military and commercial markets. From the world's first GPS receiver to today's smallest, lowest power, and most robust Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions, NSS delivers mission critical performance across air, land, sea, and space platforms. The Cedar Rapids site houses a 280,000 sq ft state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility that supports high volume production for a full portfolio that includes a complete range of PNT solutions.
The Airborne Navigation Director II will own the end-to-end strategy, development, delivery, and profitability of BAE Systems' airborne navigation product line (e.g. GPS embedded modules, anti-jam solutions, airworthiness certified solutions, etc.). This position will drive growth, innovate across the portfolio, and ensure successful integration of our solutions on a variety of military, UAS, and aircraft platforms. Leading a team of program managers and supported by a cross functional organization of over 900 people, this leader collaborates with some of the most capable people in the country.
Role Components:
  1. General management leadership skills are a key enabler
  2. Problem solving ability - requires advanced conceptual thinking in complex and/or completely new situations
  3. Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey strategies and explain complex information to the organization and external customers/stakeholders
  4. Strong financial acumen
  5. Developing a product line roadmap and strategy for products that field onto airborne and maritime platforms
  6. Negotiation skills - ability to negotiate at a high level with internal and external customers and partners - strong collaboration skills
  7. Project management of large, complex projects
  8. Experience leading major competitive proposals
  9. Experience bringing products through production
  10. Develop close working relationships with teams across the BAE Systems enterprise and with customers in support of current programs, and to help shape future growth opportunities.
  11. Strong risk and opportunity management skills at a portfolio level
  12. Experience working with defense industry OEMs
  13. Deal effectively with senior level executives, customers, and partners, and resolve customer issues of a complex nature
  14. Potential to advance to the VP/GM level
  15. Demonstrate leadership in safety, code of conduct/ethics, security and culture
  16. Demonstrated ability to lead large groups of employees and/or teams and experience in developing teams and coaching future leaders

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Required Skills and Education
Role Skills:
  1. Demonstrated ability as a customer advocate with successful resolution of customer issues
  2. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute business strategy in a complex market
  3. Product line portfolio P&L responsibility in a business including multiple contracts and products/services/suppliers and geographic locations
  4. Production and supply chain management experience in a high-volume production environment
  5. Demonstrated ability to successfully lead an organization through major changes using change management skills
  6. Holds or ability to gain a Secret clearance required, Top Secret preferred

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