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Programs Director Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Parsons

Program Director

Reston, VA

$157.50K - $283.50K/yr

Direct staffing for the program, including recruitment, onboarding, and identifying candidates to ... Prior experience supporting federal government programs (preferred). Security Clearance Requirement:

KBR

DOE Program Director

Rosslyn, VA · On-site +1

Department of Energy (DOE) programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Silver Spring, MD · On-site +1

Department of Energy (DOE) programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

KBR

DOE Program Director

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

Department of Energy (DOE) programs. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the DOE ... The Program Director is responsible for maintaining a DOE pipeline that aligns with KBR's growth ...

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Programs Director information

See Reston, VA salary details

$30.7K

$81.4K

$142.5K

How much do programs director jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for programs director in Reston, VA is $81,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,100.00 and $96,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of an organization's programs and initiatives. They ensure programs align with the organization’s mission and goals, manage budgets, supervise program staff, and track program outcomes. Programs Directors often collaborate with stakeholders, secure funding, and report on program effectiveness to leadership or funders. Their leadership is crucial for delivering impactful services and achieving organizational objectives.

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 most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Programs jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Programs Director jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Programs Director job openings:
Programs Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Programs Director job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,351 per year, or $39.1 per hour.
Program Director

Program Director

Management Sciences for Health

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

MSH seeks a Program Director for a potential 5-year Rapid Outbreak and Response (ROR) project funded by the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) of the U.S. Department of State. The program aims to advance timely, effective responses to infectious disease outbreaks by supporting immediate response actions during the earliest stages of an outbreak when rapid intervention can significantly limit transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality. The program capitalizes on existing country capacities and partnerships to support swift activation of outbreak response activities, complementing national leadership and established response frameworks.
Activities support countries to 1) Rapid Activation and Surge Response, 2) Early Detection, Containment, and Mitigation, 3) Coordinated and Operationally Effective Response Support, and 4) System Reinforcement and Transition from emergency surge to recovery. MSH is a global health nonprofit that works with local partners from the Ministry to the community to build strong, resilient, and equitable health systems in more than 150 countries.
This position is subject to project award and funding. The job location is flexible to candidates in the U.S. and other countries where MSH can hire. Candidates can be remote or on-site.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Director leads and manages the project and is accountable for project deliverables and results, with full accountability and authority for the development, execution, and monitoring of the project, including vision and technical strategy; project management; documentation and communication; client(s) stakeholder(s) relationships; thought leadership; and coordination and synergy with other MSH projects. This accountability includes effective contribution to business and resource development activities - including positioning, intelligence gathering, and proposal development - that contribute to fueling MSH's mission.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Results & Leadership
  • Lead and oversee implementation of all project activities related to rapid activation and surge response, early detection, containment, and mitigation to infectious disease threats, coordinated and operationally effective response support, and system reinforcement and transition from emergency surge to recovery. This work includes outbreak prevention and response, early warning systems, surveillance, laboratory detection, emergency response capacity, and national, regional, and international coordination.

  • Serve as the primary liaison to the donor, ensuring high-quality deliverables, compliance, and timely achievement of program milestones.

  • Ensure strong coordination with MOHs, national public health institutes, regional bodies, implementing partners, relevant academic institutions, and other USG agencies and other donors working in global health security.

  • Uphold MSH standards for financial, contractual, political, and technical integrity.

Technical Strategy & Vision
  • Provide vision and leadership to design, adapt, and implement technical approaches supporting GHS across the Prevent-Detect-Respond spectrum.

  • Oversee development and refinement of the results framework, performance monitoring plan, MERL systems, and annual work plans as required by the donor.

  • Guide strategies to build government capacities to lead and manage GHS efforts including strengthen surveillance systems such as event-based and indicator-based surveillance, early warning, digital disease detection, and data sharing with national and global partners.

  • Support enhancement of laboratory systems, biosafety, sample transport systems, diagnostic capacity, and data-to-action processes.

  • Develop strategies to strengthen and expand public health workforce as needed/ requested.

  • Oversee activities to strengthen emergency operations, including rapid response teams, incident management systems, and multisector coordination mechanisms.

  • Ensure documentation, learning, and dissemination of project results for maximum global impact.

Project & People Management
  • Ensure strong operational management, including compliance with GHSD and USG requirements and MSH SOPs.

  • Establish a streamlined project staffing structure that reflects technical and geographic priorities and optimizes coordination with MOHs, USG and other entities; build a strong team of exceptional experts and professionals who deliver.

  • Manage, mentor, and develop project staff through supportive supervision, performance management, and capacity-building plans.

  • Promote a culture of learning, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

Client & Stakeholder Relationships
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with GHSD, other USG agencies, MOHs, national public health institutes, implementing partners, regional bodies, and other stakeholders.

  • Ensure that project intelligence, political developments, risk factors, and opportunities are continuously monitored and communicated internally.

  • Represent the project and MSH in national, regional, and global GHS fora.

  • Ensure strong thought leadership and shared learning strategies and platforms.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • MPH, MD, or relevant master's degree required; PhD in epidemiology, public health surveillance, infectious diseases, or related field preferred.

  • Minimum of 8-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in global health security, epidemic preparedness, surveillance system strengthening, laboratory systems, or emergency response.

  • Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in at least two core GHS areas: epidemic prevention, public health surveillance, laboratory detection systems, GHS workforce development, emergency preparedness/response, or One Health.

  • Strong experience partnering with Ministries of Health, national public health institutes, and government stakeholders.

  • Prior experience directing large international donor-funded projects, preferably USG-funded.

  • Proven strategic planning, visioning, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

  • Familiarity with USG regulations, reporting systems, and program implementation expectations.

  • Excellent communication, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and team leadership skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to work within complex networks and coordinate across technical, geographic, and institutional boundaries.

  • Fluency in English required; French fluency is advantageous and preferred.

The expected salary range for this position is: $152,000.00 - $185,000.00 annually (U.S. locations only).
MSH considers multiple job-related factors when determining an offer, including but not limited to, business and organizational needs, candidate qualifications, internal equity, location, and internal budget.
Salary is just one of many aspects of our total rewards package; at MSH, our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive set of competitive benefits that includes a substantial vacation, sick and holiday policies, training and development programs, competitive insurance coverage for health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, 401k plan, Flexible Spending Account, among others.
The selected candidate is expected to work from one of MSH's offices in the US.
MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.
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