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Senior Program Director Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Citizens

Program Manager - AI Engineering

Columbia, SC · On-site

$119K/yr

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of supporting senior technology leaders, influencing ... Influencing without direct authority * Preparing executive-level presentations and communications

Citizens Bank

Program Manager - AI Engineering

Columbia, SC · On-site +1

$119K/yr

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of supporting senior technology leaders, influencing ... Influencing without direct authority * Preparing executive-level presentations and communications

Covenant Place

Director of Nursing (DON)

Sumter, SC

$52K - $79K/yr

Company-paid Employee Assistance Program Position Summary: The Director of Nursing is responsible ... Strong knowledge of state and federal regulations for senior care services * Excellent leadership ...

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All JobsProgram JobsSenior Program Director JobsSenior Program Director Jobs in Columbia, SC

Senior Program Director information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$36.1K

$106.5K

$143.9K

How much do senior program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior program director in Columbia, SC is $106,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,300.00 and $107,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Program Director jobs in Columbia, SC?

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

What job categories do people searching Senior Program Director jobs in Columbia, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Program Director jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Senior Program Director jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Senior Program Director job openings:

Senior Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Program Director job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,533 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Program Manager - AI Engineering

Citizens

Columbia, SC • On-site

$119K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Description

Program Manager - AI Engineering
Charlotte, NC

This role serves as a strategic partner to the Head of AI Engineering, acting as an extension of leadership across a rapidly growing portfolio of AI, GenAI, and Agentic AI initiatives. Combining executive-level strategic support with strong program management discipline, this individual will drive key priorities, portfolio execution, governance, and organizational alignment.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of supporting senior technology leaders, influencing across complex organizations, and independently driving high-impact initiatives from strategy through execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Executive Enablement

  • Serve as a trusted partner and extension of AI Engineering leadership, helping drive strategic priorities across the organization.
  • Operate with a high degree of autonomy, translating leadership direction into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
  • Represent leadership in meetings and stakeholder forums when needed.
  • Develop executive communications, business reviews, and leadership presentations.
  • Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities, and proactively drive resolution.


AI Engineering Portfolio Delivery & Governance

  • Lead a portfolio of AI, GenAI, and Agentic AI initiatives from ideation through production and optimization.
  • Provide executive-level reporting on delivery status, risks, dependencies, and business outcomes.
  • Establish and maintain governance practices supporting AI lifecycle management, risk controls, and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure programs align with enterprise standards and achieve target adoption, performance, and stability outcomes.


Financial, Vendor & Workforce Management

  • Manage portfolio budgets, forecasts, funding allocations, and financial reporting.
  • Oversee vendor relationships, including SOWs, contract governance, invoicing, and performance management.
  • Develop workforce strategies including capacity planning, staffing optimization, resiliency, and critical skill development.
  • Partner with leadership to build scalable operating models that support growing AI Engineering demand.


Program Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Provide oversight of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment between business objectives, engineering delivery, and investment priorities.
  • Apply Agile and modern software delivery practices to improve execution and time-to-market.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across AI Engineering, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Sourcing, and business teams.
  • Drive alignment, decision-making, and accountability across complex cross-functional initiatives.


Business Impact

     Success in this role will drive:

  • Greater transparency into AI Engineering investments, priorities, risks, and outcomes.
  • Strong financial stewardship and optimized portfolio investments.
  • Scalable vendor and workforce models supporting AI growth.
  • Reliable, well-governed, production-grade AI and GenAI solutions.
  • Faster delivery of AI capabilities and business value.
  • Stronger operational resilience, governance, and risk management.
  • Increased effectiveness of AI Engineering leadership through proactive execution and strategic support.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • 8+ years in program/portfolio management within technology organizations (banking preferred)
  • Experience managing AI/ML, GenAI portfolios
  • Technical Expertise & Understanding:
    • AI/ML lifecycle (data, training, deployment, monitoring)
    • GenAI and LLM-based solutions
    • Agentic frameworks and orchestration patterns
    • MLOps / AIOps practices
    • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
    • Data engineering and big data ecosystems
    • DevOps and CI/CD pipelines 
  • Financial & Operational Skills & Experience:
    • Portfolio budgeting and forecasting
    • Cost optimization strategies for cloud and AI workloads
    • Vendor contract and SOW management
  • Leadership & Execution:
    • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional portfolios
    • Strong executive communication and reporting skills
    • Proven ability to drive delivery stability and operational excellence at scale
  • Regulatory & Risk Awareness:
    • Understanding of model risk management, governance, and compliance within financial services
  • Demonstrated Executive Partnership & Influence

    • Supporting senior executives, business leaders, or technology leaders

    • Representing leadership priorities across large organizations

    • Influencing without direct authority

    • Preparing executive-level presentations and communications

    • Engaging confidently with senior stakeholders

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

  • Chief of Staff, Business Operations, Strategic Initiatives, Portfolio Operations, or Executive Program Management experience
  • Experience serving as a strategic advisor or operational extension to senior technology leaders
  • Experience supporting board, executive committee, or senior leadership reviews


Hours & Work Schedule

  • Hours per Week: 40
  • Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
  • Location: Charlotte, NC


Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $146,000-$155,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the budget, work location, and relevant skills and experience. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens' paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit 

https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits  

#LinkedIn-Citizens1

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent's reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Education:Why Work for UsEmployment Type: 1ST

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