Program Director Jobs in California
Program Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in healthcare systems, nonprofits, public agencies, and technology companies, with openings at every level from emerging managers to senior executives overseeing large portfolios. The heaviest hiring happens in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where organizations like Kaiser Permanente, the University of California system, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep program leadership pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are healthcare program management, government and defense programs, and community services administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 324+ Program Director jobs
Before and After School Full-time Assistant Program Director /Primary School Professional-
Fremont, CA
Pay: 23/hourly (pay is based on education and experience)
We are currently looking for a visionary Assistant Program Director to join our team and help shape the future of our innovative program. We are looking for a leader passionate about fostering innovation, cultivating curiosity, and creating an atmosphere of adventure and belonging. Our mission is to craft a transformative experience where each child's curiosity is ignited, creativity is nurtured, and a genuine sense of adventure and belonging is fostered. As the Program Director, you will be at the helm of creating an environment that sparks excitement and discovery for both children and staff. If you are ready to lead and inspire in this exciting role, we invite you to apply.Please see the schedule and key dates below:
Location: Fremont, CA
Schedule: Must be available Monday - Friday, 8 am - 6 pm (Work schedule and hours are based on attendance) No weekends!
Benefits/Perks:
- Benefits including health available
- Employee referral program
- Fun and friendships come with the paycheck
- A discount off current AlphaBEST program tuition rates for each eligible child in attendance.**(Please ask an HR team member or manager for qualification guidelines) **
As an AlphaBEST After-school Full-time Assistant Program Director, you'll be trained to do the following:
- Lead a fun and dedicated team of professionals to deliver the highest quality care, learning, and excitement to our children.
- Train AlphaBEST staff on how to nurture children and ignite their sense of wonder.
- Provide a caring, family-oriented environment where positive staff, child, parent, and school relationships are fostered.
- Encourage creativity and intellectual curiosity by building on students' interests and talents.
Qualification requirements for the Director positions. Please see the criteria outlined below:
- A degree in child development, 3 units in Administration, and 2 years of teaching experience.- A BA degree in child development, 3 units in Administration, and 1 year of teaching experience.- Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit. For School-Age Director roles, please refer to the Health and Safety Code Section 1597.21 for additional details. Please see the breakdown of the requirements below: Option 1:- 24 semester units in child development, recreation, or a related field.- 6 semester units in administration and supervision.- 2 years of experience working with school-age children in a group setting. Option 2:- A bachelor's degree in child development, recreation, or a related field.- 3 semester units in administration and supervision.- 1 year of experience working with school-age children in a group setting. Option 3:- A School-Age Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit.If you are ready to be part of our innovative and exciting journey, we would love to hear from you. Join us today and let's put more wonder in the world!
AlphaBEST is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Before and After School Full-time Assistant Program Director /Primary School Professional-
Fremont, CA
Pay: 23/hourly (pay is based on education and experience)
We are currently looking for a visionary Assistant Program Director to join our team and help shape the future of our innovative program. We are looking for a leader passionate about fostering innovation, cultivating curiosity, and creating an atmosphere of adventure and belonging. Our mission is to craft a transformative experience where each child's curiosity is ignited, creativity is nurtured, and a genuine sense of adventure and belonging is fostered. As the Program Director, you will be at the helm of creating an environment that sparks excitement and discovery for both children and staff. If you are ready to lead and inspire in this exciting role, we invite you to apply.Please see the schedule and key dates below:
Location: Fremont, CA
Schedule: Must be available Monday - Friday, 8 am - 6 pm (Work schedule and hours are based on attendance) No weekends!
Benefits/Perks:
- Benefits including health available
- Employee referral program
- Fun and friendships come with the paycheck
- A discount off current AlphaBEST program tuition rates for each eligible child in attendance.**(Please ask an HR team member or manager for qualification guidelines) **
As an AlphaBEST After-school Full-time Assistant Program Director, you'll be trained to do the following:
- Lead a fun and dedicated team of professionals to deliver the highest quality care, learning, and excitement to our children.
- Train AlphaBEST staff on how to nurture children and ignite their sense of wonder.
- Provide a caring, family-oriented environment where positive staff, child, parent, and school relationships are fostered.
- Encourage creativity and intellectual curiosity by building on students' interests and talents.
Qualification requirements for the Director positions. Please see the criteria outlined below:
- A degree in child development, 3 units in Administration, and 2 years of teaching experience.- A BA degree in child development, 3 units in Administration, and 1 year of teaching experience.- Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit. For School-Age Director roles, please refer to the Health and Safety Code Section 1597.21 for additional details. Please see the breakdown of the requirements below: Option 1:- 24 semester units in child development, recreation, or a related field.- 6 semester units in administration and supervision.- 2 years of experience working with school-age children in a group setting. Option 2:- A bachelor's degree in child development, recreation, or a related field.- 3 semester units in administration and supervision.- 1 year of experience working with school-age children in a group setting. Option 3:- A School-Age Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit.If you are ready to be part of our innovative and exciting journey, we would love to hear from you. Join us today and let's put more wonder in the world!
AlphaBEST is an Equal Opportunity Employer
See All 324+ Program Director Jobs in California
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Find Program Director JobsProgram Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software11
- Education6
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals6
- Healthcare & Medical Services5
- Construction & Real Estate3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program director jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in public administration, business, healthcare, or a related field
- Five or more years of progressive program management experience in a California industry sector
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, cross-functional teams, and multi-site programs
- Familiarity with California state reporting requirements and relevant compliance frameworks
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential recognized by California employers
- Strong written communication skills for California grant writing, reporting, or contract oversight
Program Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program director in California?
Most program director roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree, though a master's in public administration, business, social work, or a field-specific discipline significantly strengthens a candidacy. Healthcare program directors often need clinical credentials recognized by the California Department of Public Health. Nonprofit and government roles frequently favor candidates with experience navigating California-specific funding streams or state agency partnerships. Building a record of managing measurable program outcomes in California institutions is the most direct path to a director-level offer.
Which companies hire program directors in California?
Employers hiring program directors in California right now include Adventist Health, Sevita, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's mix of large healthcare networks, defense contractors, and public universities means demand is distributed across multiple industries rather than concentrated in a single sector.
Which California cities have the most program director jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most program director openings in California. Los Angeles generates the largest share because of its density of hospital systems, county agencies, and entertainment-adjacent nonprofits, while San Francisco and San Diego reflect strong demand from technology companies and defense and biotech employers headquartered in those regions.
Are there remote program director jobs in California?
Yes, though they represent a smaller portion than in purely desk-based fields, since program directors often need to be present for staff oversight, site visits, and stakeholder meetings. About 37% of program director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with the fully remote roles most common in grant management, policy, and technology program management functions.
How can I get hired as a program director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a program coordinator or program manager role first, then building toward director-level responsibility. Large California employers like the University of California system, Los Angeles County departments, and Kaiser Permanente run structured management development programs that advance coordinators into director tracks. A California-relevant credential, such as a PMP or a nonprofit management certificate from a California State University campus, can accelerate that progression alongside demonstrated ownership of a measurable program outcome.
Where can I find and apply to program director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to program director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 324+ Program Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Director Jobs