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Programs Director Jobs in Milford, CT (NOW HIRING)

The Director serves as the senior leader for the CSE department, partnering with educational ... Demonstrated experience leading CSE programs, educational operations, or special education services.

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Programs Director information

See Milford, CT salary details

$29.6K

$78.4K

$137.4K

How much do programs director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for programs director in Milford, CT is $78,429.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,200.00 and $92,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 is the role of a programs director?

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 compliance standards. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and experience with project management tools are essential for this role.

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 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 compliance standards, often using project management tools and leadership skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Milford, CT? The most popular types of Programs jobs in Milford, CT are:
What cities near Milford, CT are hiring for Programs Director jobs? Cities near Milford, CT with the most Programs Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Programs Director job openings in Milford, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,429 per year, or $37.7 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Yale New Haven Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 232 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

304th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
The Yale New Haven Children's Hospital Child Life Program Director will lead the Child Life, Arts for Healing and Resident Dog Programs. Under the guidance of the Program Director, the staff working in these programs will provide therapeutic interventions to support children undergoing hospitalization or outpatient specialty care interventions or procedures, for chronic or acute healthcare issues. The Program Director will serve as the leader directing programs that provide developmental and psychosocial patient support through recreational and therapeutic interventions in a wide-range of care settings reporting under the Children's Hospital. This includes off site locations, inpatient areas, outpatient areas, and all specialty clinical care programs operating within the department. The Program Director will be responsible for developing system standardization and infrastructure for like clinical support programs to ensure that developmental and psychosocial support, and recreational and therapeutic care for pediatric patients is consistent and evidence-based across all delivery networks within our health system. The Program Director will lead the strategy development for this important program and will ensure that it is operating under current, evidence-based and innovative program design and through efficient and cost-effective delivery. The Program Director will assume responsibility for partnering to increase funding and philanthropic support for these programs by working closely with the Yale New Haven Hospital Office of Development to seek additional support for current and future program needs. EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran


Responsibilities
  • 1. Supervises and directs a staff of certified child life specialists, art, recreational and music therapists, and resident dog handlers in providing paly activities, preparation and procedural support to meet the developmental and psychological needs of pediatric patients and their family members. Ensures that staff perform all patient care responsibilities consistent with age-specific criteria and job-related competencies.
    • 1.1 Develop, plan, implement and evaluate art/educational activities and special projects that maintain or develop the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and/or creative development of pediatric patients and their families, in individual and group settings.
  • 2. Establishes goals and objectives of the clinical support programs based upon the hospital/service line business plan as well as the identified needs of children and families. Assesses and evaluates the effectiveness of the program. Develops and reviews clinical support department policies, procedures, job descriptions, role descriptions and program descriptions.Develops and administers the clinical support program budgets and identifies materials needed for programming.
    • 2.1 Communicate with Child Life staff and the clinical care team to obtain patient referrals. Provide a written and/or verbal summary of the patient's and family's response to interactions, as appropriate. Document session outcomes per departmental policy in the patient's permanent medical record.
  • 3. Collaborates directly with Volunteer Services to provide training and evaluation of placement of pediatric program volunteers. Works on special volunteer committees and projects as needed.
    • 3.1 Maintain supplies, equipment and materials specific to the art/educational program and provide assessment of material needs.
  • 4. Plans, implements and evaluates educational programs and materials and resources regarding the psychosocial and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families, as well as educational needs of medical, nursing and other hospital staff in caring for patients in varied developmental stages.
    • 4.1 Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement including collecting, maintaining and analyzing data specific to art/educational program, such as productivity and patient satisfaction. Provide accurate and timely reports.
  • 5. Participates in administrative meetings and work groups as assigned by the Vice President or Executive Director. Participates on community committees and other hospital collaboratives as needed. Works closely with the Departments of Marketing, Public Relations and Development to identify projects, stories and events that highlight high quality patient care and support programming. Collaborates with the Development Office to identify and secure funding support for pediatric clinical support programs.
  • 6. Ensures that staff participate in rounds and regular meetings with medical and nursing staff to integrate developmentally appropriate clinical support programming into patient and family care plans. Holds self and staff accountable to achievement of key hospital performance metrics, including patient experience unit-based targets, quality and safety targets and financial management targets.
  • 7. Stays current with new developments, trends and resources within the fields of child life, art and music therapy and resident pet therapy. Supports staff in maintaining certification, competencies and professional development. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Master's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child & Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Recreational Therapy, or related field. Child Life certification required.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years experience as a child life manager in a health care environment. Experience leading Child Life programs with a focus on innovation, cost-effective service delivery and strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations to support program growth and sustainability.  Teaching experience strongly preferred. Experience in program development preferred. 

LICENSURE

Child life certification required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital seeks leaders who have the ability to achieve the highest level of safe and effective care as well as exceptional operational performance. Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills; ability to work with multidisciplinary groups in effective collaborative practice. Excellent communication, interpersonal, collaborative and organizational skills. Passion for patient-focused improvement. Must be a patient-oriented team-player with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities. Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects. Committed to the principals of a high -reliability organization.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.; must comply with appropriate OSHA, HIPAA and JCAHO standards relevant to position.


Additional Information

Individual must have proven history of leadership in Child Life, and outcomes of innovation, program development, philanthropic support and ability to engage employees and teams.


YNHHS Requisition ID
176461Qualifications:

EDUCATION

Master's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child & Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Recreational Therapy, or related field. Child Life certification required.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years experience as a child life manager in a health care environment. Experience leading Child Life programs with a focus on innovation, cost-effective service delivery and strategic partnerships with philanthropic organizations to support program growth and sustainability.  Teaching experience strongly preferred. Experience in program development preferred. 

LICENSURE

Child life certification required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital seeks leaders who have the ability to achieve the highest level of safe and effective care as well as exceptional operational performance. Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills; ability to work with multidisciplinary groups in effective collaborative practice. Excellent communication, interpersonal, collaborative and organizational skills. Passion for patient-focused improvement. Must be a patient-oriented team-player with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities. Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects. Committed to the principals of a high -reliability organization.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.; must comply with appropriate OSHA, HIPAA and JCAHO standards relevant to position.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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