Program Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the strongest states for program director visa sponsorship, driven by its concentration of technology companies, research universities, and healthcare systems. Major employers like UC San Diego, Kaiser Permanente, and Salesforce regularly hire program directors and have established international sponsorship pipelines. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose account for the highest volume of openings.
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Get Access To All JobsAortic stenosis impacts millions of people globally, yet it often remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. Edwards’ groundbreaking work in transcatheter aortic heart valve replacement (TAVR) pioneered an innovative, life-changing solution for patients by offering heart valve replacement without the need for open heart surgery. Our Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) business unit continues to partner with cardiologists and clinical teams to transform patient care with devices supported by clinical evidence. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
As Senior Director, Program Management for Patient Activation, you will report into the VP, PMO – Commercial and help Edwards advance a company-wide effort to increase disease detection, improve diagnosis, streamline heart team evaluation, and accelerate referral, helping more patients access appropriate care sooner.
How you'll make an impact:
This individual contributor role is based in Irvine, CA, resides within Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) and will serve as the PMO partner with the Patient Activation Lead and Strategy Partner. Together, they will shape the Patient Activation strategy, establish an effective operating model, and drive coordinated execution across THV and the broader Edwards organization.
This role is ideal for a strategic, enterprise-minded leader who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure to complex initiatives, and can influence action across a highly matrixed organization.
Shape and operationalize the Patient Activation strategy
- Partner with senior leaders to define priorities, roadmaps, governance, and operating models that advance Patient Activation objectives.
- Translate strategic goals into integrated plans, measurable outcomes, and clear accountability.
- Serve as a trusted thought partner, helping leaders navigate trade-offs, risks, and investment decisions.
Lead an enterprise portfolio of programs
- Provide oversight and integration across multiple Patient Activation initiatives at varying levels of maturity.
- Connect work occurring across functions, business units, and across Edwards to create an enterprise view of priorities, dependencies, risks, and opportunities.
- Identify and address gaps, overlaps, and resource constraints to maximize organizational impact and efficiency.
- Ensure effective execution through disciplined planning, governance, risk management, and performance monitoring.
Influence and align across the Edwards matrix
- Build strong relationships with executive and functional leaders across THV and the broader Edwards organization.
- Drive alignment and sustained progress across stakeholders without direct authority.
- Facilitate decision-making, remove barriers, and maintain momentum in a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Represent Patient Activation leadership in strategic discussions and executive forums.
Advance PMO capability and execution excellence
- Elevate program and portfolio management practices, including governance, prioritization, resource planning, and performance management.
- Influence adoption and utilization of project portfolio management tools and processes to support business objectives.
- Establish clear reporting and communication mechanisms that enable timely decisions and transparency.
What you'll need (Required):
- Bachelor's degree and 14 years of relevant experience, or equivalent.
- Proven success leading complex, enterprise-scale programs or portfolios with significant cross-functional and executive stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to create clarity, structure, and momentum in highly ambiguous environments.
- Strong strategic thinking, business judgment, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience influencing senior leaders and driving results across matrixed organizations without direct authority.
- Expert understanding of program and portfolio management methodologies, governance, resource planning, and risk management.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project portfolio management tools.
What else we look for (Preferred)
- Master's degree in a related field.
- PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, Scrum Master, or other advanced PM certifications.
- Experience in healthcare, medical technology, patient access, disease awareness, diagnostics, or commercial transformation initiatives.
- Experience designing operating models and governance structures for emerging strategic priorities.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $191,000 to $271,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Aortic stenosis impacts millions of people globally, yet it often remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. Edwards’ groundbreaking work in transcatheter aortic heart valve replacement (TAVR) pioneered an innovative, life-changing solution for patients by offering heart valve replacement without the need for open heart surgery. Our Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) business unit continues to partner with cardiologists and clinical teams to transform patient care with devices supported by clinical evidence. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
As Senior Director, Program Management for Patient Activation, you will report into the VP, PMO – Commercial and help Edwards advance a company-wide effort to increase disease detection, improve diagnosis, streamline heart team evaluation, and accelerate referral, helping more patients access appropriate care sooner.
How you'll make an impact:
This individual contributor role is based in Irvine, CA, resides within Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) and will serve as the PMO partner with the Patient Activation Lead and Strategy Partner. Together, they will shape the Patient Activation strategy, establish an effective operating model, and drive coordinated execution across THV and the broader Edwards organization.
This role is ideal for a strategic, enterprise-minded leader who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure to complex initiatives, and can influence action across a highly matrixed organization.
Shape and operationalize the Patient Activation strategy
- Partner with senior leaders to define priorities, roadmaps, governance, and operating models that advance Patient Activation objectives.
- Translate strategic goals into integrated plans, measurable outcomes, and clear accountability.
- Serve as a trusted thought partner, helping leaders navigate trade-offs, risks, and investment decisions.
Lead an enterprise portfolio of programs
- Provide oversight and integration across multiple Patient Activation initiatives at varying levels of maturity.
- Connect work occurring across functions, business units, and across Edwards to create an enterprise view of priorities, dependencies, risks, and opportunities.
- Identify and address gaps, overlaps, and resource constraints to maximize organizational impact and efficiency.
- Ensure effective execution through disciplined planning, governance, risk management, and performance monitoring.
Influence and align across the Edwards matrix
- Build strong relationships with executive and functional leaders across THV and the broader Edwards organization.
- Drive alignment and sustained progress across stakeholders without direct authority.
- Facilitate decision-making, remove barriers, and maintain momentum in a dynamic and evolving environment.
- Represent Patient Activation leadership in strategic discussions and executive forums.
Advance PMO capability and execution excellence
- Elevate program and portfolio management practices, including governance, prioritization, resource planning, and performance management.
- Influence adoption and utilization of project portfolio management tools and processes to support business objectives.
- Establish clear reporting and communication mechanisms that enable timely decisions and transparency.
What you'll need (Required):
- Bachelor's degree and 14 years of relevant experience, or equivalent.
- Proven success leading complex, enterprise-scale programs or portfolios with significant cross-functional and executive stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to create clarity, structure, and momentum in highly ambiguous environments.
- Strong strategic thinking, business judgment, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience influencing senior leaders and driving results across matrixed organizations without direct authority.
- Expert understanding of program and portfolio management methodologies, governance, resource planning, and risk management.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project portfolio management tools.
What else we look for (Preferred)
- Master's degree in a related field.
- PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, Scrum Master, or other advanced PM certifications.
- Experience in healthcare, medical technology, patient access, disease awareness, diagnostics, or commercial transformation initiatives.
- Experience designing operating models and governance structures for emerging strategic priorities.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $191,000 to $271,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Program Director Job Roles in California
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Search Program Director Jobs in CaliforniaProgram Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for program directors in California?
Large technology employers including Google, Meta, and Apple, as well as major healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health, have consistent records of sponsoring program directors. California's University of California and California State University systems also sponsor program directors across research and academic operations. Nonprofit organizations and defense contractors in Southern California represent additional sponsoring employer segments.
Which visa types are most common for program director roles in California?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for program directors in California, as the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Candidates with extraordinary achievement may qualify for the O-1A. Multinational managers transferring within a global organization may be eligible for the L-1A, particularly relevant given California's high density of multinational headquarters.
Which cities in California have the most program director sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and San Jose lead in volume, reflecting the Bay Area's concentration of technology and life sciences employers. Los Angeles is the strongest market for entertainment, healthcare, and nonprofit program director roles. San Diego has a notable cluster of biotech and defense-focused program director openings. Sacramento generates demand primarily through state government-adjacent organizations and healthcare networks.
How to find program director visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship and lets you filter program director roles by state, so you can browse California openings from employers with active sponsorship histories. Because program director is a senior role, filtering by employers who have sponsored similar titles previously saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process.
Are there state-specific considerations for program directors seeking sponsorship in California?
California's prevailing wage requirements apply on top of federal H-1B wage obligations, and the state's high cost of living in the Bay Area and Los Angeles generally pushes employer wage offers upward, which can work in candidates' favor during the LCA certification process. California also has a large pipeline of international graduate students from UC and CSU campuses, meaning employers in the state are generally more familiar with sponsorship processes than employers in other states.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program director jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.