Program Director

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Paid vacation

Sick days

Paid holidays

Professional development

Work-life balance

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Program Director to provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of donor-funded programs in the Education, Government & Non-Profit space. You will guide planning, monitor performance, manage risk, and strengthen client relationships across multiple initiatives.

Remote in the US, the role requires leadership to drive operational excellence, ensure quality outcomes, and maintain compliance while advancing mission-driven goals.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Economic Development, or related field.
• 15+ years of program leadership experience, including 8+ years at the department level.
• Experience managing complex, donor-funded programs.
• Proven senior-level donor relationship management.
• Strong business acumen with multimillion-dollar budgets.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the quality and financial success of the project portfolio.
• Lead planning, performance monitoring, and risk management.
• Provide strategic oversight and technical assistance to projects.
• Support project directors in implementing project activities.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among teams.
• Serve as the primary contact for client relationships.
• Oversee the financial health and compliance of projects.

Skills

Program leadership

Donor relations

Budget management

Risk management

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree in Education, Economic Development, or related field

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Program Director to join the team of a leader in the Education, Government & Non-Profit space.

This role will provide strategic oversight for a portfolio of donor-funded programs, ensuring strong execution, quality outcomes, and financial discipline across multiple initiatives. The Program Director will partner closely with project leaders and external stakeholders to guide planning, monitor performance, manage risk, and strengthen client relationships. This position requires a collaborative leader who can support teams, drive operational excellence, and maintain compliance while helping advance mission-driven program goals.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $130,000 – $170,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Ensure the quality and financial success of the project portfolio
• Lead planning, performance monitoring, and risk management
• Provide strategic oversight and technical assistance to projects
• Support project directors in implementing project activities
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among teams
• Serve as the primary contact for client relationships
• Oversee the financial health and compliance of projects

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Education, Economic Development, or a related discipline
• 15+ years of program leadership experience, including 8+ years at the department level
• Experience managing complex, donor-funded programs
• Proven track record in senior-level donor relationship management
• Strong business acumen and experience with multimillion-dollar budgets

Benefits

• 7% contribution to a pension plan
• 18 days of paid vacation per year
• 12 sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Support for professional development and work/life balance programs

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.