Assistant Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Assistant Director jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated in healthcare systems, higher education, and nonprofit administration, with steady demand across mid-level and senior leadership roles throughout the state. The largest hiring markets are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, home to anchor employers like Penn Medicine, UPMC, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which collectively generate consistent assistant director openings across clinical, academic, and government operations. The most in-demand specialties are program administration, student affairs, and healthcare operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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POSITION SUMMARY
Works closely with the Department Director and assumes a strategic role in the management of the Department of City Planning. Manages the Strategic Planning division within the Department of City Planning, leading the division and its staff on comprehensive planning, neighborhood planning, and planning initiatives around equity, housing, environment and open space, and persons with disabilities. Works with other Departments, Authorities, Community Partners, and others on bringing plans to implementation.
Department: City Planning
Posting Type: Announcement
Salary: $114,046 per year.
Union: None. This is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Exempt.
REQUIREMENTS
General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
- Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
- Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
- Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
- A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.
NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.
NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.
Qualifying Requirements:
- WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show five (5) years of full-time experience in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management or a related field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
- EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Master's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy Management, or a related field. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
- EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is eleven (11) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
- Written: None required for this position.
- Performance: None required for this position.
- Medical: None required for this position.
POSITION DUTIES
- Plays a role in the strategic direction and management of the Department and aligns operations with the City’s goals and objectives.
- Manages and supervises a division with a wide variety of responsibilities but focused on long-range planning initiatives.
- Directs the development and implementation of Forging PGH, the City’s Comprehensive Plan and its related initiatives that set the vision for land use in Pittsburgh and connect the Comprehensive Plan to long-range thinking, budgets, and capital investments made by the City and others.
- Directs the development and implementation of the City’s Neighborhood Planning Program.
- Directs public engagement activities around long-range planning, development review, and strategic policy and code amendments.
- Oversees the coordination, management, and implementation of several long-range planning programs and initiatives around issues of land use, urban design, equity, housing, environment and open space, and planning for persons with disabilities.
- Leads the integration of long-range plans into development through the development and expansion of new zoning code or other code and policy ordinances, guidelines, or guides.
- Attends, participates in, and conducts high-level meetings – both internal and external to the organization. Represents the city with outside organizations and boards.
- Leads and consults with planning management team to review assigned projects, resolve issues, and monitor performance.
- Interacts with City Council regarding City issues, programs, and special projects.
- Guides, reviews, and approves work provided by staff, contracted services, and internal and external stakeholders; monitors service quality and compliance with applicable regulations, codes, policies, and/or business requirements.
- Oversees and participates in the analysis, development, and administration of assigned budget; monitors and approves expenditures and budget compliance; and recommends adjustments.
- Informs and advises the Director on all significant planning, policy, and performance matters.
- Serves as the Planning Director in the Director’s absence.
- Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.
Click here to view the full job description, including knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.
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Find Assistant Director JobsAssistant Director Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Director Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant director jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field required, master's degree strongly preferred by most Pennsylvania employers
- Minimum three to five years of progressive management or supervisory experience in a relevant field
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing departmental budgets and operational plans
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder reporting
- Proficiency with project management tools and institutional software systems common in Pennsylvania's healthcare and education sectors
- Experience with compliance, accreditation, or regulatory standards applicable to Pennsylvania's healthcare or higher education environments
Assistant Director Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant director in Pennsylvania?
Most assistant director roles in Pennsylvania require a bachelor's degree at minimum, with a master's degree preferred in fields like public administration, education, healthcare administration, or business. Pennsylvania does not issue a universal assistant director license, but sector-specific credentials matter: healthcare roles often require clinical licensure through the Pennsylvania Department of State, while higher education positions favor candidates with experience in accredited Pennsylvania institutions and familiarity with state-level compliance requirements.
Which companies hire assistant directors in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring assistant directors in Pennsylvania right now include KinderCare Learning Companies, Penn State University, and Villanova University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Pennsylvania's large healthcare networks, state government agencies, and research universities are among the most consistent sources of assistant director openings across the state.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most assistant director jobs?
The cities with the most assistant director openings in Pennsylvania are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lancaster. Philadelphia leads due to its concentration of major health systems, universities, and corporate headquarters, while Pittsburgh's strength in healthcare and technology drives demand there, and Harrisburg's role as the state capital generates steady openings across government and nonprofit administration.
Are there remote assistant director jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many assistant director roles involve direct oversight of teams or facilities. About 32% of assistant director openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting growing flexibility in administrative and program management functions. Roles in policy, grants management, and institutional research are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a assistant director in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving up from a coordinator or program associate role within a Pennsylvania institution, particularly in healthcare, higher education, or nonprofit administration. Large Pennsylvania employers like UPMC, Temple University, and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regularly hire for associate or program coordinator positions that serve as a pipeline into assistant director roles. Earning a relevant master's degree from a Pennsylvania institution or obtaining a sector-specific credential through the Pennsylvania Department of State can accelerate that transition significantly.
Where can I find and apply to assistant director jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to assistant director jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings across healthcare, education, government, and nonprofit sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 202+ Assistant Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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