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Project Development Director Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Safran Cabin Inc.

Director of Operations

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$118K - $198K/yr

Team members join a global organization with opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects ... Lead the development, communication, and implementation of growth strategies. * Represent the ...

California Fine Wire Co.

Be Seen First

Director of Operations

Grover Beach, CA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

Job Summary The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and continuously improving all ... Ensure capital projects achieve expected operational results. Leadership & People Development:

California Fine Wire Co.

Be Seen First

Director of Operations

Grover Beach, CA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

Job Summary The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and continuously improving all ... Ensure capital projects achieve expected operational results. Leadership & People Development:

The City of Grover Beach

Associate Engineer

Grover Beach, CA · On-site

$92K - $118K/yr

... Director/City Engineer handles complex projects and has full supervisory authority over lower-level ... development and modification of City infrastructure. Conducts civil and traffic engineering and ...

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All JobsProject Development JobsProject Development Director JobsProject Development Director Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Project Development Director information

See Santa Maria, CA salary details

$64.1K

$145.6K

$228.1K

How much do project development director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development director in Santa Maria, CA is $145,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $153,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a project development director do?

A Project Development Director oversees the planning, execution, and completion of major projects within an organization. Their responsibilities include identifying project opportunities, managing budgets, coordinating teams, and ensuring projects align with organizational goals. They often serve as the main point of contact for stakeholders and are responsible for mitigating risks and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope. Effective leadership, strategic planning, and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by a project development director when managing cross-functional teams?

Project Development Directors often work with diverse teams from various departments such as engineering, finance, marketing, and legal. One common challenge is aligning different priorities and communication styles to ensure everyone is working towards the same project goals. Additionally, balancing stakeholder expectations while managing tight deadlines and budget constraints can require strong negotiation and problem-solving skills. Successful Project Development Directors foster collaboration, set clear objectives, and proactively address potential conflicts to keep projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Development Director, you need expertise in project management, business development, strategic planning, and a relevant degree—often in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Asana), budgeting tools, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are highly advantageous. Leadership, negotiation, and strong interpersonal communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring project success, stakeholder alignment, and effective delivery of organizational goals.

What is the difference between Project Development Director vs Project Manager?

AspectProject Development DirectorProject Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple projects, strategic planning, and long-term development initiativesManages individual projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project deliverables
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in relevant fields, extensive experience in project planning and leadershipBachelor's degree, PMP or similar certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic meetings, cross-department collaborationOn-site or remote project teams, day-to-day project oversight

The Project Development Director focuses on strategic, high-level planning and oversees multiple projects, while the Project Manager handles the execution and daily management of individual projects. Both roles require strong leadership and industry knowledge, but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Development jobs in Santa Maria, CA?

The most popular types of Project Development jobs in Santa Maria, CA are:

What cities near Santa Maria, CA are hiring for Project Development Director jobs?

Cities near Santa Maria, CA with the most Project Development Director job openings:

Project Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Development Director job openings in Santa Maria, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,632 per year, or $70 per hour.

Technical Project Manager

Gavial Engineering & Mfg, Inc.

Santa Maria, CA • On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Gavial Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc. (Gavial) specializes in the manufacture of high-quality, high-reliability parts and systems. With a wide range of manufacturing, engineering and project management capabilities, Gavial supplies mission-critical equipment to industries that require the highest level of workmanship and quality.
Gavial and its employees are dedicated to delivering the highest level of quality and service to its customers. The Gavial team draws upon decades of experience and knowledge to build high-quality, high-reliability parts and systems for some of the most demanding industries. We apply our Quality Assurance Program to strong processes, industry knowledge and dedicated people to deliver quality products on time.
Gavial is looking for a Project Manager to join our team in Santa Maria, CA. The Project Manager will manage projects of simple to above average scope and complexity, from planning through delivery. The person in this role will plan, direct, and coordinate activities of projects to ensure that goals or objectives of their assigned project(s) are accomplished within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters by performing the following duties.
Project Manager Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Evaluates requests for proposal/quote and provides necessary input for the development of the proposal/quote for future potential projects. Input includes determination of labor, staffing, timeframe, materials, equipment and other resource needs.
  • Review customer contracts and purchase orders to evaluate technical, financial and schedule impact to projects.
  • Determines time frame, funding limitations, procedures for accomplishing project, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of project.
  • Generates the project roadmap (schedule, bills of material, work orders, etc.) and maintains that roadmap throughout the life of the project.
  • Establishes work plan and staffing requirements for each phase of project and arranges for recruitment or assignment of project personnel in collaboration with internal department managers.
  • Confers with project team to outline work plan and to assign duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority. Communicate changes to work plan schedule to all stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with project team members to provide technical advice and to resolve problems.
  • Responsible for developing and maintaining customer relationships on each project.
  • Oversee management of supplier relationships to ensure performance, compliance, and alignment with company goals. Responsible for sourcing new suppliers to meet project requirements, leading negotiations, and ensuring alignment of the terms and conditions of both the supplier and the company.
  • Directs and coordinates activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget. Work with every department in the company to resolve project related issues.
  • Monitors task completion status to identify at-risk project tasks and to develop mitigation plans.
  • Prepares status reports for management and customer(s). Modifies schedules or plans as required.
  • Coordinates project activities to meet requirements of governmental and regulatory agencies.

Experience/Education:
  • Degree in Engineering, Electronics, Industrial Relations, or related field from 4-year college with 3 years project management experience in a manufacturing or similar environment; or 2-year college/technical school and 6 years of project management experience in a manufacturing environment; or other equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Experience in manufacturing required; experience in electronic manufacturing a plus.
  • Technical product experience and working knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, purchasing and cost estimating.
  • Prior experience interfacing with a quality management system.
  • Knowledge of Six Sigma and/or Lean manufacturing principles a plus.
  • Familiarity with applicable health and safety regulations.

Skills:
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Ability to be flexible, motivated, resourceful, and organized in a multi-functional role. Willingness to take on new challenges.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
  • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, suppliers, and employees.
  • Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge and proficiency with project management tools and software, Contact Management systems; Inventory software and Manufacturing software (ERP); MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
  • Attention to detail with excellent analytical and math skills required. Strong organization and time management skills.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Gavial Engineering & Manufacturing is an equal opportunity employer.

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