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Strategic Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Strategic Project Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K/yr

As a Strategic Project Associate (SPA) at Mercor, you will work with Strategic Project Leads to ... Source, vet, and manage the performance of hundreds of domain experts from different disciplines (e ...

Workstream

Strategic Project Lead

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$90K - $180K/yr

... and execution-focused Strategic Projects Lead (SPL) to own and deliver high-impact, cross ... Managing a network of hundreds to thousands of people to collect video data and to engage and ...

Workstream

Strategic Project Lead

Menlo Park, CA

$90K - $180K/yr

... and execution-focused Strategic Projects Lead (SPL) to own and deliver high-impact, cross ... Managing a network of hundreds to thousands of people to collect video data and to engage and ...

Labelbox

Strategic Project Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Role Overview About the Role The Strategic Project Lead owns the day-to-day execution of our ... The SPL reports to the SPL Manager for craft and career, and on the ground takes delivery direction ...

Labelbox

Strategic Project Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Role Overview About the Role The Strategic Project Lead owns the day-to-day execution of our ... The SPL reports to the SPL Manager for craft and career, and on the ground takes delivery direction ...

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Strategic Project Manager information

See California salary details

$38K

$101.3K

$159.9K

How much do strategic project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for strategic project manager in California is $101,337.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Strategic Project Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectStrategic Project ManagerProject Coordinator
CredentialsPM certifications (PMP, PgMP), relevant degreesBasic project management or administrative certifications
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaborationTask coordination, scheduling, administrative support
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations focusing on strategic initiativesCommon in project execution and support roles
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding strategic roles in project managementLearning about entry-level or support project roles

The Strategic Project Manager focuses on aligning projects with organizational goals, managing strategic initiatives, and overseeing complex planning. In contrast, a Project Coordinator handles day-to-day task management, scheduling, and supporting project teams. While both roles require project management knowledge, the Strategic Project Manager operates at a higher, more strategic level, often requiring advanced certifications and experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Strategic Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Strategic Project Manager, you need expertise in project management methodologies, strategic planning, and resource allocation, often backed by a bachelor's degree and certifications like PMP or PRINCE2. Familiarity with project management software (such as MS Project, Asana, or Jira) and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for aligning projects with organizational goals, driving cross-functional teams, and ensuring successful project delivery.

What does a strategic project manager do?

A strategic project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of projects aligned with an organization’s long-term goals. They develop project strategies, coordinate teams, manage budgets, and ensure deadlines are met, often using tools like Gantt charts and project management software. Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills are essential for success in this role.

What are the 4 types of project managers?

The four main types of project managers are functional, projectized, matrix, and hybrid. Functional managers work within specific departments, projectized managers oversee projects independently, matrix managers operate across departments with shared authority, and hybrid combines elements of these styles. Understanding these types helps in selecting the right management approach for different projects and organizational structures.

What is the difference between a project manager and a strategic project manager?

A project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of specific projects, focusing on scope, schedule, and budget. A strategic project manager aligns projects with organizational goals, emphasizing long-term impact, strategic planning, and often working on high-level initiatives that support business growth and competitive advantage.

How does a Strategic Project Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment with organizational goals?

As a Strategic Project Manager, you will frequently work with cross-functional teams, including executives, finance, operations, and technical leads, to ensure projects stay aligned with the organization's broader strategic objectives. This involves facilitating regular meetings, clarifying project goals, and bridging communication gaps between departments. You will also translate high-level strategies into actionable project plans and adjust priorities as needed to reflect changing business needs. Effective collaboration and strong stakeholder management are essential for driving consensus and keeping projects on track.

Can I make 100k as a project manager?

Strategic project managers can earn $100,000 or more annually, especially with experience, certifications like PMP, and working in high-demand industries or large organizations. Salary varies based on location, industry, and project complexity, with senior roles and those managing large teams typically earning higher salaries.
What are popular job titles related to Strategic Project Manager jobs in California? For Strategic Project Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Strategic Project Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Strategic Project Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Strategic Project Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Strategic Project Manager job openings:
Strategic Project Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Strategic Project Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $101,337 per year, or $48.7 per hour.
Strategic Project Associate

Strategic Project Associate

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Mercor
Mercor's mission is to organize human intelligence to power the AI economy. We're a leading AI data company, building the layer between human expertise and frontier models. Millions of domain experts on the platform are paid over $4 million per day to train frontier AI models. Mercor's APEX benchmark family measures AI's real-world impact on professional work. Mercor Enterprise brings this same infrastructure to Fortune 500 companies: helping companies capture how their best people actually work, translating that expertise directly back into agents.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You'll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society. Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our San Francisco, NYC, or London offices.
About the Role
Silicon Valley's top AI companies work with Mercor to find domain experts who can help train and evaluate their models. As a Strategic Project Associate (SPA) at Mercor, you will work with Strategic Project Leads to drive the tactical execution of these projects, ensure top-notch service to customers, and single-handedly drive millions of dollars in revenue. In doing so, you will have a significant impact on Mercor's long-term growth. Strategic Project Associates will report to a Strategic Project Lead.
Our Strategic Project Associate program is designed for exceptional recent grads (targeted graduation date of December '25 or May/June '26) and will provide a fast-paced introduction to running large scale human data projects. Promotions to Strategic Project Lead will be considered on a quarterly basis (with a target of ~6-12 months). We're an early-stage startup that operates with intensity. That means occasionally being responsive on weekends and always holding a high bar for output. The upside - performance incentives, career trajectory, and meaningful equity - reflects that.
Key Responsibilities
  • Generate $10M+ in revenue by executing large-scale projects on behalf of leading AI labs and tech companies
  • Source, vet, and manage the performance of hundreds of domain experts from different disciplines (e.g., software engineering, medicine, law)
  • Foster strong relationships with researchers at leading AI labs and tech companies, anticipating client needs and identifying opportunities for project expansion
  • Collaborate closely with the wider Operations team to execute project strategies, meet client objectives, and drive process optimizations
  • Interface with the Engineering & Machine Learning team to improve the Mercor platform
What Are We Looking For?
  • Experience in consulting, finance, startups, or similar organizations
  • Strong analytical and communication skills
  • Experience working with customers
Compensation
  • Base cash compensation $120k
  • Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
  • A $7.5K relocation bonus (if moving to the Bay Area)
  • $10K proximity bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
  • $1.5K monthly stipend for meals
  • Free Equinox membership
  • $200 monthly laundry reimbursement
  • $200 monthly personal wellness reimbursement
  • Health, Dental, Vision insurance401(k) with company match

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Apply