Program Director Jobs in Columbus, OH
Program Director jobs in Columbus concentrate in the Short North, Downtown, and the Columbus suburbs around Easton and the medical corridor near The Ohio State University campus, with strong demand in healthcare, nonprofit administration, and education. Organizations hiring right now include The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Alvis, and The Ohio State University. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 72+ Program Director jobs
Director, Product Operating Model & Agile Coaching Lead
This position uses the Business Program Management job profile; however, its primary purpose is to lead the evolution of Personal Lines into a product platform operating model—including its funding approach, tooling, governance, roles, and ways of working—and enable its adoption.
The role leads the team of business squad agile coaches and is accountable for developing and maintaining the operating model playbook, role and practice standards, governance guidance, coaching approach, and maturity framework. It partners with Personal Lines leaders, Product Operations, Domains, Product Owners, squad leaders, Technology, and enabling functions to make the model clear, practical, and consistently applied across teams.
The role translates operating-model expectations into hands-on coaching and scalable capability-building for leaders, practitioners, and squads; identifies adoption barriers and cross-domain patterns; and uses feedback, maturity indicators, and delivery and outcome measures to recommend improvements. It develops the business squad agile coaches’ effectiveness and helps squads build the capability to sustain the model with decreasing coaching support. The role enables sound product and business decisions but does not assume business prioritization, replace the Product Owner, or take permanent ownership of squad delivery; its accountability is for the quality and evolution of the operating model and the coaching system that supports adoption.
#LI-remote
#LI-AS1
Job Description Summary
We are a versatile group of individuals, working together to meet the needs of our customers. We value knowledge, strong business savvy and contributing to a stellar team environment. If you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment, we want to know more about you!As a Director, you'll lead the strategic alignment of major corporate programs and initiatives. We will count on you to have an end to end vantage point on business delivery. You will be responsible for setting and reviewing objectives, coordinating activities across projects and overseeing the integration and reuse of projects and results. You'll lead all aspects of multiple project teams and associates and be accountable for the overall outcome of programs that ultimately deliver expected value and business outcomes.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Directs the evaluation of proposed business development efforts including the coordination of initial program/project proposals and charters. Determines and recommends to senior management if program/project aligns with the organization’s strategy and objectives.
Facilitates portfolio planning and partners with key stakeholders to establish a road-map aligned with the organization's vision and annual objectives. Drives the creation, development, presentation and approval of program, project and business case budgets and funding. Works with key customers in identifying program needs and leads program infrastructure, implementation and governance structure. Ensures the establishment of scope and priorities, management of risks/issues/dependencies, implementation of solutions and change management activities.
Prioritizes, approves and ensures the completion of new product development, design of new processes and adoption of new strategies and/or programs within time, budget and specification constraints. Provides a single point of contact integration for individual projects into larger program management on a corporate-wide basis.
Consults with leaders and assigned project teams to identify scope/specifications and business needs, writes proposals, prepares risk assessments and establishes budgets and timeframes for major programs and team based activities, with the goal of ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and objectives.
Builds strong working relationships with team members, matrix partners, sponsors and customers to aide in effective definition and execution of projects. Fosters trust that increases day-to-day decisioning and improving speed and quality of work
Leverages value chain thinking, ensuring that critical parties are engaged at the appropriate time and informed of all upstream/downstream impacts.
Collaborates with key stakeholders, leaders and partners to understand impediments and/or inefficiencies to improve overall efficiency and delivery capability of the team. Serves as a point of escalation.
Partners closely with Finance and Technology partners to oversee project/product financials.
Establishes and maintains a best in class Portfolio and Program Management practice that supports continuous planning and delivery flexibility with sustainable predictability. Establishes standard for project managers and oversees the development of tools and processes. Champions the process to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of execution.
Directs the development of business perspective work plans to determine needed resources to deliver program/project charters, requirements, user acceptance testing strategies, training and system implementation.
Monitors and assesses all projects and pivotal initiatives and communicates status to senior leadership.
Manages the interfaces between projects, acting as a liaison between project managers and directors, to ensure collaboration and coordination between business unit leadership, program/project development staff, senior management, Nationwide Technology, customers and if necessary, vendors and outside consultants.
Identifies gaps, overlaps, conflicts and timelines, as well as budgetary and resource barriers, which affect programs and projects individually and as a whole. Facilitates resolution, mitigation and appropriate elevation.
Leads a team of associates to deliver results by crafting team objectives tied to business objectives. Responsible for the management of associates including, performance management, salary planning and administration, development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement. Recognizes team members' strengths, aligned to capability needs, resulting in strong delivery results. Facilitates an environment of inclusion that leverages diverse perspectives and talent. Ensures associates have the resources and guidance they need to deliver timely and relevant result.
Serves as a top professional/coach to others around delivering business outcomes, benefit realization, and delivery practices.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to an executive; leads team of four or more associates.
Typical Skills and Experiences:
Education: Undergraduate degree required with studies in business, insurance or related field preferred. MBA or other graduate level education equivalent is desired.
License/Certification/Designation: Project Management Certification is strongly preferred. Industry designations such as CPCU, CLU and/or ChFC are highly desired.
Experience: Ten or more years of related project/program management experience along with experience leading others (directly or indirectly).
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Proven knowledge of project management tools, concepts and methodologies. Demonstrated proficiency in key competencies of effective program/project management. Ability to manage large, sophisticated programs/projects. Must have the ability to maintain focus on the holistic focus of a program and integrate the separate projects together. Ability to lead others and influence change. Best-in-class verbal and written communication skills and ability to flex communication style with technical and non-technical users. Proven track record driving effective teamwork, communication, collaboration and commitment across multiple disparate groups with competing priorities. Ability to drive for results, deal with ambiguity and to understand strategic objectives. Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams towards task completion and facilitate consensus. Superior organizational, prioritization and time management skills. Best-in-class ability to evaluate and apply problem-solving methodology including needs assessment, data acquisition and root cause analysis and interpretive/strategic planning analysis. Ability to make decisions on highly sophisticated issues and work with minimal direction.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.
Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.
Job Conditions:
Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)
Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel. Non-standard or extended work may be required based on project needs.
ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
We currently anticipate accepting applications until 11/03/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.Benefits
We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more.
Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.
This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf
NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:
We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule. The national salary range for Director, Business Program Management : $122,000.00-$214,000.00 The expected starting salary range for Director, Business Program Management : $122,000.00 - $182,000.00- Job Category Business Consulting & Analysis
- Position Type Full Time
- Posted 2026-11-01T07:08:38.811853+00:00
- Location(s)
- Ohio - Columbus
- United States - Remote
- Line of Business
- Entity
- Recruiter
- Hiring Manager
- Experience Level
- Req ID 101076
Director, Product Operating Model & Agile Coaching Lead
This position uses the Business Program Management job profile; however, its primary purpose is to lead the evolution of Personal Lines into a product platform operating model—including its funding approach, tooling, governance, roles, and ways of working—and enable its adoption.
The role leads the team of business squad agile coaches and is accountable for developing and maintaining the operating model playbook, role and practice standards, governance guidance, coaching approach, and maturity framework. It partners with Personal Lines leaders, Product Operations, Domains, Product Owners, squad leaders, Technology, and enabling functions to make the model clear, practical, and consistently applied across teams.
The role translates operating-model expectations into hands-on coaching and scalable capability-building for leaders, practitioners, and squads; identifies adoption barriers and cross-domain patterns; and uses feedback, maturity indicators, and delivery and outcome measures to recommend improvements. It develops the business squad agile coaches’ effectiveness and helps squads build the capability to sustain the model with decreasing coaching support. The role enables sound product and business decisions but does not assume business prioritization, replace the Product Owner, or take permanent ownership of squad delivery; its accountability is for the quality and evolution of the operating model and the coaching system that supports adoption.
#LI-remote
#LI-AS1
Job Description Summary
We are a versatile group of individuals, working together to meet the needs of our customers. We value knowledge, strong business savvy and contributing to a stellar team environment. If you thrive in a busy, engaging work environment, we want to know more about you!As a Director, you'll lead the strategic alignment of major corporate programs and initiatives. We will count on you to have an end to end vantage point on business delivery. You will be responsible for setting and reviewing objectives, coordinating activities across projects and overseeing the integration and reuse of projects and results. You'll lead all aspects of multiple project teams and associates and be accountable for the overall outcome of programs that ultimately deliver expected value and business outcomes.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
Directs the evaluation of proposed business development efforts including the coordination of initial program/project proposals and charters. Determines and recommends to senior management if program/project aligns with the organization’s strategy and objectives.
Facilitates portfolio planning and partners with key stakeholders to establish a road-map aligned with the organization's vision and annual objectives. Drives the creation, development, presentation and approval of program, project and business case budgets and funding. Works with key customers in identifying program needs and leads program infrastructure, implementation and governance structure. Ensures the establishment of scope and priorities, management of risks/issues/dependencies, implementation of solutions and change management activities.
Prioritizes, approves and ensures the completion of new product development, design of new processes and adoption of new strategies and/or programs within time, budget and specification constraints. Provides a single point of contact integration for individual projects into larger program management on a corporate-wide basis.
Consults with leaders and assigned project teams to identify scope/specifications and business needs, writes proposals, prepares risk assessments and establishes budgets and timeframes for major programs and team based activities, with the goal of ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and objectives.
Builds strong working relationships with team members, matrix partners, sponsors and customers to aide in effective definition and execution of projects. Fosters trust that increases day-to-day decisioning and improving speed and quality of work
Leverages value chain thinking, ensuring that critical parties are engaged at the appropriate time and informed of all upstream/downstream impacts.
Collaborates with key stakeholders, leaders and partners to understand impediments and/or inefficiencies to improve overall efficiency and delivery capability of the team. Serves as a point of escalation.
Partners closely with Finance and Technology partners to oversee project/product financials.
Establishes and maintains a best in class Portfolio and Program Management practice that supports continuous planning and delivery flexibility with sustainable predictability. Establishes standard for project managers and oversees the development of tools and processes. Champions the process to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and consistency of execution.
Directs the development of business perspective work plans to determine needed resources to deliver program/project charters, requirements, user acceptance testing strategies, training and system implementation.
Monitors and assesses all projects and pivotal initiatives and communicates status to senior leadership.
Manages the interfaces between projects, acting as a liaison between project managers and directors, to ensure collaboration and coordination between business unit leadership, program/project development staff, senior management, Nationwide Technology, customers and if necessary, vendors and outside consultants.
Identifies gaps, overlaps, conflicts and timelines, as well as budgetary and resource barriers, which affect programs and projects individually and as a whole. Facilitates resolution, mitigation and appropriate elevation.
Leads a team of associates to deliver results by crafting team objectives tied to business objectives. Responsible for the management of associates including, performance management, salary planning and administration, development, workflow and organizational planning, hiring and placement. Recognizes team members' strengths, aligned to capability needs, resulting in strong delivery results. Facilitates an environment of inclusion that leverages diverse perspectives and talent. Ensures associates have the resources and guidance they need to deliver timely and relevant result.
Serves as a top professional/coach to others around delivering business outcomes, benefit realization, and delivery practices.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Reporting Relationships: Reports to an executive; leads team of four or more associates.
Typical Skills and Experiences:
Education: Undergraduate degree required with studies in business, insurance or related field preferred. MBA or other graduate level education equivalent is desired.
License/Certification/Designation: Project Management Certification is strongly preferred. Industry designations such as CPCU, CLU and/or ChFC are highly desired.
Experience: Ten or more years of related project/program management experience along with experience leading others (directly or indirectly).
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Proven knowledge of project management tools, concepts and methodologies. Demonstrated proficiency in key competencies of effective program/project management. Ability to manage large, sophisticated programs/projects. Must have the ability to maintain focus on the holistic focus of a program and integrate the separate projects together. Ability to lead others and influence change. Best-in-class verbal and written communication skills and ability to flex communication style with technical and non-technical users. Proven track record driving effective teamwork, communication, collaboration and commitment across multiple disparate groups with competing priorities. Ability to drive for results, deal with ambiguity and to understand strategic objectives. Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams towards task completion and facilitate consensus. Superior organizational, prioritization and time management skills. Best-in-class ability to evaluate and apply problem-solving methodology including needs assessment, data acquisition and root cause analysis and interpretive/strategic planning analysis. Ability to make decisions on highly sophisticated issues and work with minimal direction.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.
Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.
Job Conditions:
Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)
Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Occasional travel. Non-standard or extended work may be required based on project needs.
ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
We currently anticipate accepting applications until 11/03/2026. However, we encourage early submissions, as the posting may close sooner if a strong candidate slate is identified before the deadline.Benefits
We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more.
Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.
This position could be filled within any of the lower 48 U.S. states. Smoke-Free Iowa Statement: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas on or around company premises as well as company issued vehicles. The company offers designated smoking areas in which smoking is permitted at each individual location. The Act prohibits retaliation for reporting complaints or violations. For more information on the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, individuals may contact the Smokefree Air Act Helpline at 888-944-2247.For NY residents please review the following state law information: Notice of Employee Rights, Protections, and Obligations LS740 (ny.gov) https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/02/ls740_1.pdf
NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:
We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nationwide pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement within the actual starting salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. If a Sales job, Sales Incentives, based on performance goals are possible in addition to this range. Note on Compensation for Part-Time Roles: Please be aware that the salary ranges listed below reflect full-time compensation. Actual compensation may be prorated based on the number of hours worked relative to a full-time schedule. The national salary range for Director, Business Program Management : $122,000.00-$214,000.00 The expected starting salary range for Director, Business Program Management : $122,000.00 - $182,000.00- Job Category Business Consulting & Analysis
- Position Type Full Time
- Posted 2026-11-01T07:08:38.811853+00:00
- Location(s)
- Ohio - Columbus
- United States - Remote
- Line of Business
- Entity
- Recruiter
- Hiring Manager
- Experience Level
- Req ID 101076
See All 72 Program Director Jobs in Columbus
Find roles in Columbus that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Director JobsProgram Director Job Market in Columbus
Who's Hiring
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center17
- Alvis13
- The Ohio State University13
- Sevita4
- YMCA of Central Ohio4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
Program Director Jobs in Columbus: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a program director job in Columbus?
Columbus hiring for program directors is heaviest in healthcare systems, nonprofits, and higher education, with a secondary cluster in government-adjacent organizations downtown. Candidates who stand out typically bring direct budget oversight and cross-functional team leadership from a Columbus-area employer in one of those sectors. Demonstrating experience managing programs with measurable outcomes, especially in community services or clinical operations, gives you a real edge in this market.
Which companies hire program directors in Columbus?
Employers hiring program directors in Columbus right now include The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Alvis, and The Ohio State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Columbus draws a wide mix of large health systems, major universities, and established nonprofits, alongside growing tech-adjacent organizations that collectively make it one of Ohio's most active markets for this role.
Are there remote program director jobs in Columbus?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on sector. About 24% of program director openings tied to Columbus are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with the most flexibility found in roles focused on grant management, policy, or program strategy rather than hands-on service delivery. Healthcare and community-based program directors in Columbus are almost always required on-site.
How can I get a program director job in Columbus with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Columbus is moving up from a program coordinator or project manager role inside a large health system, university, or nonprofit, where internal promotion is common. Columbus employers like major hospital networks and established social-service agencies regularly hire coordinators who then advance to director-level within two to four years. Building familiarity with grant reporting and volunteer or team supervision in these organizations makes the transition significantly smoother.
Which industries hire the most program directors in Columbus?
Most program director openings in Columbus sit in Education, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Columbus's status as a major Midwestern hub for healthcare, higher education through Ohio State, and a dense nonprofit sector tied to state government funding keeps demand for program leadership consistently strong across those fields.
See All 72 Program Director Jobs in Columbus
Find roles in Columbus that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Director Jobs