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Senior Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Family Bridges, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$113.30 - $154.50/hr

Senior Program Director Department: Housing & Community Services (HCS) Classification: Management Employment Status / FLSA Status: Regular, Full-Time (40 hours per week) / Exempt Reports To: Chief ...

Family-Bridges,-Inc.

Senior Program Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$113.30 - $154.50/hr

Senior Program Director Department: Housing & Community Services (HCS) Classification: Management Employment Status / FLSA Status: Regular, Full-Time (40 hours per week) / Exempt Reports To: Chief ...

Family Bridges, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$113K - $154K/yr

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Position Senior Program Director Department Housing & Community Services (HCS) Classification Management Employment Status / FLSA Status: Regular, Full-Time (40 hours per week ...

Family Bridges, Inc.

Senior Program Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$113K - $154K/yr

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Position Senior Program Director Department Housing & Community Services (HCS) Classification Management Employment Status / FLSA Status: Regular, Full-Time (40 hours per week ...

Parsons Corporation

Senior Program Director

Corona, CA · On-site

$176K - $332K/yr

Our Parsons Corona office is seeking to hire a highly experienced Senior Program Director to manage and oversee large projects or programs in the Southern California region. Solid experience in ...

Parsons

Senior Program Director

Corona, CA · On-site

$176K - $332K/yr

Our Parsons Corona office is seeking to hire a highly experienced SeniorProgram Director to manage and oversee large projects or programs in the Southern California region. Solid experience in ...

Audubon

$85K - $96K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Salton Sea Program Manager will support the Southern California Program Director in managing and growing the Salton Sea program in alignment with Audubon's strategic plan.

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Senior Program Director information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$113.6K

$153.5K

How much do senior program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior program director in California is $113,646.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior program director?

To thrive as a Senior Program Director, you need extensive experience in program management, strategic planning, and leadership, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with project management tools (such as MS Project or Asana), budgeting software, and sometimes certifications like PMP or PgMP are highly valued. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and team-building skills set standout leaders apart in this role. These capabilities are crucial for effectively overseeing complex programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve successful outcomes.

What is a senior program director?

Senior Program Directors are high-level managers responsible for overseeing multiple projects or programs within an organization. They provide strategic direction, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and manage teams of project managers or program coordinators. Their duties include budgeting, stakeholder communication, performance monitoring, and risk management. Senior Program Directors play a critical role in ensuring that programs are delivered on time, within scope, and meet the expected outcomes.

What is the difference between Senior Program Director vs Program Manager?

AspectSenior Program DirectorProgram Manager
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, PMP) and extensive experienceTypically requires a bachelor's degree; PMP or related certifications are common
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, overseeing multiple programs or departmentsOperational focus, managing specific projects or programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, nonprofits, government agenciesCommon across various industries, including corporate, tech, and healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level strategic roles, leadership responsibilitiesProject execution, day-to-day management

The main difference between a Senior Program Director and a Program Manager lies in scope and responsibility. Senior Program Directors focus on strategic oversight and leadership across multiple programs, often requiring advanced credentials and extensive experience. Program Managers handle specific projects, focusing on execution and operational management. Both roles are vital but differ in their level of strategic involvement and organizational impact.

How does a senior program director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure program success?

Senior Program Directors play a crucial role in aligning multiple departments—such as product development, marketing, finance, and operations—toward common program goals. They facilitate regular meetings, set clear expectations, and coordinate resources to address challenges and keep projects on track. Effective communication and relationship-building are essential, as the director must balance the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders while maintaining focus on overarching objectives. By fostering collaboration, they help ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to a high standard.

What are the most commonly searched types of Senior Program jobs in California?

The most popular types of Senior Program jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Program Director jobs in California?

For Senior Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Program Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Program Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Program Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Program Director job openings:

Senior Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Program Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,646 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Senior Program Director

Phoenix House California

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Schedule (Onsite)-Monday-Friday; Operations Hours
What does PHCA do?
At Phoenix House California, we are dedicated to helping young people, women and men overcome substance and alcohol use disorder to live extraordinary lives in recovery. Since 1979, we have been a leader in the field of substance use disorder treatment, providing addiction, behavioral health and family services to anyone who needs our help, often offering the only chance of recovery to the underserved and uninsured in our community. Annually, over 44,000 individuals - including family members, parents, teachers and students in California - receive our life-saving services: residential and outpatient treatment, continuing care, recovery support, school-based prevention and mental health services, and in-custody substance use disorder treatment and mental health services for male adolescents and adults.
What's it like to work at PHCA?
At Phoenix House California, we take a holistic approach to drug addiction and mental health disorders that focuses on the power of being both proactive and reactive: prevention, early intervention, and recovery services. Understanding the health and safety risks of alcohol and drug misuse is the first step to reducing the risk of addiction. It starts with knowing the facts. We reach almost 32,000 students, parents, and teachers annually, through our school-based prevention and early intervention programs.
PHCA Benefits
  • 15 Paid Holidays for eligible employees
  • Pet, Life, Travel, Legal Coverage
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Continued Education Assistance

Position Details
Reporting to the Vice President, Clinical Director, the Senior Program Director leads and directs the overall management, organization, strategy, and operations of the residential and outpatient services. The Program Director is responsible the effective delivery of trauma-informed, evidenced-based services to patients and family members, providing leadership, management and clinical supervision to staff in the delivery of direct service to patients, and ensuring the successful integration of treatment and educational services. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring pillar outcomes are met; People, Quality & Performance. Employee exercises independent judgment and discretion and reports to the VP, Clinical Director.
A Day as a Program Director might look like the following:
  • Defines programs success indicators/measures and engages in data-based reviews of programs performance against indicators/measures. Prepares and/or manages monthly statistical reporting of program services and other reports required.
  • Ensures the delivery of a continuum of services.
  • Ensures the safety and wellbeing of patients by developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu.
  • Responsible for all quality assurance, quality record-keeping using an electronic health record, and health and safety of unit and patients and staff. Documentation utilizing an electronic health record system is required.
  • Oversee and coordinate efforts to ensure the program meets or exceeds performance standards as established by the agency, regulatory bodies (CCL, CARF), contractors, and other agency stakeholders.
  • Observing and interacting with staff, patients, and other individuals, as necessary, to ensure the quality of care for patients and program services.
  • Adheres to the professional ethics and conduct of standards as established by professional licensure, the policies of Phoenix House, and legal, funding, and regulatory requirements.
  • Provides leadership to the programs and directs the overall management, organization, and operations of all services and related activities for San Bernardino programs.
  • Develops and monitors annual operating plan and budget for all assigned programs, in coordination with Finance. Manages the fiscal operation of these programs to meet or exceed annual budget expectations; participates in the preparation of annual budget projections or adjustments; monitors expenditures; provides input and coordinates with staff to ensure adherence to budget.
  • Ensures each program meets billing expectations.
  • Participates as an active, engaged member of the Sr. Leadership team focusing leadership, strategic thinking/planning, sustainability, evaluation, and development of the organization's philosophy.
  • Be present, along with the Chief Executive Officer, or a designee, at all board of directors' meetings during which the operation or the policies of the short-term residential therapeutic program are discussed.
  • Participates, co-leads, and/or coordinates, as needed, on appropriate committees or teams in support of the organization's mission, implementation of strategic plan and direction. Actively participates in the organization's policy assessment, development, implementation, and review.

To be successful as a Senior Program Director, you will want to have:
  • Have a master's degree in health care administration or related field from an accredited college or university, plus a minimum of two years of leadership experience in a residential treatment facility or a similar setting
  • LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC Required.
  • Must obtain TB test clearance and update on a yearly basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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