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Programs Director Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

State of Colorado

Director of Programs

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$105K - $110K/yr

Director of Programs Serve Colorado Summary Serve Colorado believes that service and volunteerism can be part of the solution to our greatest challenges. Coloradans are our greatest resource to ...

State of Colorado

Director of Programs

Denver, CO · On-site +1

$105K - $110K/yr

Director of Programs Serve Colorado Summary Serve Colorado believes that service and volunteerism can be part of the solution to our greatest challenges. Coloradans are our greatest resource to ...

State of Colorado

Director of Programs

Denver, CO · On-site

$105K - $110K/yr

Director of Programs Serve Colorado Summary Serve Colorado believes that service and volunteerism can be part of the solution to our greatest challenges. Coloradans are our greatest resource to ...

Behavioral Health Group

Program Director

Westminster, CO · On-site

The Program Director supervises daily operations of an opiate treatment center, ensuring excellence ... Coordinate training programs and audits. * Serve as the Corporate Compliance Officer. * Ensure team ...

Behavioral Health Group

Program Director

Westminster, CO · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

The Program Director supervises daily operations of an opiate treatment center, ensuring excellence ... Coordinate training programs and audits. * Serve as the Corporate Compliance Officer. * Ensure team ...

Thrive Ministry

Program Director

Lakewood, CO · On-site +1

$33.50 - $40/hr

Program Director Reports to: COO Location: Lakewood, CO | Open to Remote Work (travel required ... As we enter a season of strategic renewal, we're asking important questions about how our programs ...

Thrive Ministry

Program Director

Lakewood, CO · On-site +1

$33.50 - $40/hr

Program Director Reports to: COO Location: Lakewood, CO | Open to Remote Work (travel required ... As we enter a season of strategic renewal, we're asking important questions about how our programs ...

LifeWise Academy

Program Director

Elizabeth, CO · 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 ...

Thrive Ministry

Program Director (Remote)

Lakewood, CO · Remote

$33.50 - $40/hr

Program Director Reports to: COO Location: Lakewood, CO | Open to Remote Work (travel required ... As we enter a season of strategic renewal, we're asking important questions about how our programs ...

Community Living Alternatives, Inc.

Be Seen First

Day Program Director

Aurora, CO · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Program Leadership & Operations A. Oversees the daily operations of the day program, ensuring a ... Director VIII. Other duties as required REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: · Bachelor's degree in human ...

Prattwhitney

APEX Program Director

Aurora, CO · On-site

$186.20 - $353.80/hr

Direct internal and cross-functional teams to meet contractual milestones and quality objectives ... Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k) match, and other programs ...

Raytheon Technologies

APEX Program Director

Aurora, CO · On-site

Direct internal and cross-functional teams to meet contractual milestones and quality objectives ... Experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance for programs with use of program ...

Raytheon

APEX Program Director

Aurora, CO

Direct internal and cross-functional teams to meet contractual milestones and quality objectives ... Experience managing cost, schedule, and technical performance for programs with use of program ...

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All JobsPrograms JobsPrograms Director JobsPrograms Director Jobs in Denver, CO

Programs Director information

See Denver, CO salary details

$30.4K

$80.5K

$141K

How much do programs director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for programs director in Denver, CO is $80,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,600.00 and $95,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 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 does a programs director do?

A programs director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of organizational programs to ensure they meet goals and standards. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, develop strategies, and often use project management tools to track progress. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential for success in this role.

What is the role of a programs director?

A programs director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs within an organization. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, develop strategies, and ensure program goals align with organizational objectives, often requiring strong leadership and project management skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Denver, CO?

The most popular types of Programs jobs in Denver, CO are:

What cities near Denver, CO are hiring for Programs Director jobs?

Cities near Denver, CO with the most Programs Director job openings:

Programs Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Programs Director job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,485 per year, or $38.7 per hour.

Director, Denver Programs

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HUMAN SERVICES

Denver, CO • On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Why work at Rocky Mountain Human Services?
You will have the opportunity to contribute to an organization that is dedicated to embracing the power of community to support individuals and families in creating their future.
RMHS provides great benefits such as:
  • Employer paid medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Generous paid time off such as vacation, sick, personal, and holidays
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement (full-time employees only)
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • 403(B) with company match
  • Employee assistance program

Position Purpose
The Director, Denver Programs provides strategic, operational, financial, and people leadership across a diverse portfolio that includes the Denver Mill Levy Program, Denver START, Mission Supports, INCLUDE, Denver Early Steps, and future initiatives supported through Denver's mill levy-funded IDDEAS (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Equitable Access to Services) Program.
This Director is accountable for aligning program performance, service quality, compliance, financial stewardship, and community impact with organizational strategy and funder expectations through appropriate executive approval processes. This Director leads through Associate Directors and Senior Program Managers, serves as RMHS's primary senior liaison to Denver Human Services (DHS) for the portfolio, and ensures effective coordination across programs, internal departments, funders, and community partners.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Portfolio Strategy and Operational Leadership
  • Establish portfolio priorities, performance expectations, and operating standards across IDDEAS Programs, and ensure consistent execution through Associate Directors and Program Managers.
  • Monitor portfolio performance, resolve cross-program barriers, align resources, and direct corrective action and improvement efforts while ensuring programs remain person-centered, equitable, and responsive.

Service Quality and Program Performance
  • Establish expectations for service quality, access, utilization, outcomes, documentation, billing, model fidelity, professional standards, and required response capacity across the portfolio.
  • Hold program leaders accountable for timely, responsive, high-quality service delivery and use performance data, stakeholder feedback, and outcomes to strengthen programs and improve the experience of people supported.

Program Development and Portfolio Integration
  • Provide strategic guidance for the development, implementation, stabilization, evaluation, and sustainability of new and existing IDDEAS programs and significant operational changes.
  • Ensure proposals and program changes align with community needs, funding and contractual requirements, organizational capacity, and RMHS priorities, and advance significant recommendations through appropriate approval processes.

Leadership and Staff Development
  • Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance management, and leadership development to Associate Directors and assigned Senior Program Managers.
  • Clarify decision rights, strengthen leadership capacity, resolve escalated issues, and lead hiring, succession, workforce-planning, and performance-management processes in partnership with Human Resources.

Funder, Government, and External Relations
  • Serve as RMHS's primary relationship owner and senior liaison to DHS for IDDEAS-funded programs, leading strategic, contractual, audit, financial, politically sensitive, and high-risk communications.
  • Represent RMHS and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, funders, community partners, providers, advocates, advisory bodies, individuals, families, and regional or national program networks.

Community Advisory Council
  • Lead RMHS's relationship with and support of the Denver Mill Levy Community Advisory Council, ensuring effective engagement, transparent information-sharing, and appropriate governance support.
  • Coordinate preparation of information, recommendations, meeting materials, and implementation plans, and ensure timely follow-through on Council recommendations and decisions.

Financial, Contract, and Resource Stewardship
  • Lead development and management of portfolio budgets, forecasts, utilization plans, financial recommendations, and long-term stewardship strategies in partnership with Finance.
  • Lead program-level contract strategy and implementation with internal partners, monitor financial performance and controls, and advance material funding, contractual, expenditure, or authorization matters through appropriate executive approval processes.

Compliance, Risk, Audit, Data, and Reporting
  • Lead program-level strategy and responses for audits, findings, corrective actions, compliance concerns, and material financial, contractual, clinical, service-delivery, personnel, political, or reputational risks through appropriate executive approval processes.
  • Establish expectations for accurate, timely, and complete data, documentation, billing, controls, records, and reporting, and use portfolio information to assess performance, allocate resources, and guide decisions.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Contribute to organizational strategy, planning, risk management, change initiatives, leadership forums, and cross-functional priorities while balancing program advocacy with organization-wide accountability.
  • Exercise discretion with sensitive information, raise concerns through appropriate channels, reinforce final organizational decisions, and support responsible growth aligned with community needs, organizational capacity, and sustainable funding.
  • Performs other duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • This position generally supervises up to seven (7) exempt level staff which currently includes directly supervising the Associate Director, Denver Mill Levy Program; Associate Director, START Services; Associate Director, Mission Supports; and Senior Program Manager, INCLUDE. Provides portfolio oversight to Denver Early Steps through a dotted-line relationship with the Program Manager while retaining accountability for contract performance, funder expectations, financial and program outcomes, portfolio alignment, and escalation of material concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Strong knowledge of human services systems, particularly programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Demonstrated experience leading multiple human services programs, service lines, or contracts with differing operational, funding, compliance, and stakeholder requirements.
  • Experience leading complex, publicly funded programs and working with government contracts, audits, compliance requirements, formal findings, and corrective-action processes.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising and developing managers, establishing accountability, and leading effectively through other leaders.
  • Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, utilization planning, and resource stewardship.

SKILLS/EXPECTATIONS/COMPETENCY'S & VALUES
  • Strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to integrate multiple programs, resolve competing priorities, and translate organizational direction into clear expectations and measurable results.
  • Sound organizational judgment and risk awareness, including the ability to distinguish routine operational matters from issues requiring executive or cross-functional involvement.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including the ability to use data, stakeholder feedback, and performance information to identify trends and drive improvement.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, including effectiveness in high-stakes, politically sensitive, or community-facing settings.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead change, balance competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and implement organizational decisions constructively.
  • Commitment to person-centered, equitable, respectful, and responsive services and to RMHS Code of Values:

We Are Curious - Encourage learning, reflection, and inquiry to strengthen culture.
We Are Persistent Allies - Support employees through consistent check-ins, guidance, and advocacy.
We Are Respectful - Foster a culture where every person is heard, valued, and treated with dignity.
We Are Intentional - Design and deliver purposeful engagement strategies with measurable goals.
We Are Capable - Provide leaders and staff with tools and resources to maintain a healthy, values-driven
culture.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor's degree in human services, public administration, business administration, social work, or a related field required; master's degree in a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of seven years progressive leadership experience in human services, including responsibility for managers or multiple programs.
  • Experience managing government-funded programs required.
  • Experience leading new program implementation, organizational change, and significant program expansion preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
  • Valid driver's license and proof of insurance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop or kneel. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. This will change when traveling.
The office is currently a hybrid model where presence in the office will be expected as needed for various job-related functions, meetings, etc.The COO will provide the appropriate structure for this Director. This working arrangement is subject to change resulting from organizational needs and the external environment. The organization supports a remote first environment when possible.
Equipment Used: PC, printer/scanner/copier, and smart phone
Travel: Regular local travel throughout the RMHS service area may be required to support programs, staff, community partnerships, and organizational initiatives. Travel by air and overnight travel may be required occasionally.
Rocky Mountain Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to racial, ethnic and cultural diversity and the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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