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What does an associate program director do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

In businesses, an associate program director oversees the daily operations of various programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to research new business and client opportunities, manage teams, set goals and schedules, liaise with external parties such as vendors and distributors, coordinate managers, gather and analyze program data, and implement solutions against problem areas. They must also address problems and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, an associate program director must lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Associate program director responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate program director resumes:

  • Manage all aspects of program requirements according to contractual requirements base on DHS internal formal mandates.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Execute major program reviews on SMC staff for DoD officials on critical program execution issues.
  • Integrate health team management of managers, coordinators, and clinical staff to promote regional programs.
  • Obtain CDL license to transport club members and gain certification for adult and child CPR and first aid.
  • Ensure that all employees receive appropriate training and remain up to date with CPR and CPI training and yearly health updates.
  • Exercise full responsibility for an annual operating budget of $18 million to build a DHS red and blue team capability.
  • Launch successful student and alumni networking events.
  • Provide management oversight of all clerical and administrative staff.
  • Review all biweekly payroll submissions and collaborate effectively with departments.
  • Work cooperatively with colleges, administrators, and legislative boards.
  • Continue to provide industrial rehabilitation, ergonomic, and hand therapy services.
  • Review statements of work and negotiate the development of performance base logistics requirements.
  • Assess and recommend strategic alternatives to meet ANG combat and homeland defense capabilities and requirements.
  • Develop promotional healthcare communications materials and program content including PowerPoint presentations, abstract books and faculty bios.

Associate program director skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Associate Program Directors are proficient in Oversight, Project Management, and SAS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Time-management skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Associate Program Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Oversight, 10%

    Managed the Global Quality and Compliance department that provided auditing, incident/inspection management and validation oversight for all enterprise computerized systems.

  • Project Management, 9%

    General team/project management activities, quality assurance, resource management/allocation, budget management/control.

  • SAS, 6%

    Generated hundreds of SAS utility macros/tool to simplify analysis tasks, enhanced project qualities and simplified submission process.

  • Veterans, 5%

    Reported to the Director of Veterans Initiatives/Associate Housing Division Director/ Housing Division Director.

  • Alumni, 5%

    Communicate with the entire university community to promote Alumni Relations and work together on intentional programming.

  • FDA, 4%

    Prepared study protocols in early development Presentations at the US FDA, European regulatory authorities and for executive development committees.

Most associate program directors use their skills in "oversight," "project management," and "sas" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate program director responsibilities here:

Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an associate program director to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "because a script may be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide on their approach and on how to represent the script’s ideas for the production." Associate program directors often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "handled inventory of all emergency supplies and ashi first aid, cpr pro and emergency oxygen training for staff. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of associate program directors is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday associate program director duties, as "producers and directors must convey information and ideas clearly in order to coordinate many people to finish a production on time and within budget." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "program management - including research and evaluation of both instructors, workshopsand specifically communication and negotiation before and after hiring instructors. "

Leadership skills. For certain associate program director responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an associate program director rely on this skill, as "directors instruct actors and help them portray their characters in a believable manner." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what associate program directors do: "manage strategic leadership initiatives, operational oversight and program development for multiple student life and academic programs. "

All associate program director skills

Compare different associate program directors

Associate program director vs. Senior program associate

A senior program associate performs a variety of tasks for an organization, including conducting clinical documentation audits, overseeing and approving all treatment and discharge plans, and implementing process improvements. As a senior program associate, you will be responsible for assisting units in developing proposals and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders in producing materials such as reports and brochures. In addition, you will also be responsible for preparing and submitting reports on time and working closely with the finance department in developing needed financials.

The annual salary of senior program associates is $27,254 lower than the average salary of associate program directors.Even though associate program directors and senior program associates are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require powerpoint, program management, and professional development in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between associate program directors and senior program associate. For instance, associate program director responsibilities require skills such as "oversight," "project management," "sas," and "veterans." Whereas a senior program associate is skilled in "phone calls," "data analysis," "salesforce," and "financial reports." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, senior program associates reach lower levels of education than associate program directors. Senior program associates are 7.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Associate program director vs. Director of senior programs

In the healthcare industry, a director of senior programs is primarily in charge of overseeing the daily operations at senior centers, aiming to give residents a quality and efficient service. It is their duty to set objectives and guidelines, spearhead the development of programs and services, manage staff and delegate tasks, liaise with external parties such as sponsors and vendors, and address problems or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a director of senior programs must enforce the establishment or facility's safety policies and regulations to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone.

On average, directors of senior programs earn a $14,231 higher salary than associate program directors a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Associate program directors and directors of senior programs both require similar skills like "oversight," "project management," and "program management" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real associate program director resumes. While associate program director responsibilities can utilize skills like "sas," "veterans," "alumni," and "fda," directors of senior programs use skills like "crm," "lead generation," "roi," and "sr."

Directors of senior programs earn lower levels of education than associate program directors in general. They're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate program director vs. Director of after school program

A director of after school programs oversees and directs childcare centers in communities. They take the lead in setting goals and guidelines, conducting research and analyses to identify the students' interests and needs, developing programs that provide recreational activities and academic support, supervising the recruitment and training of employees, and monitoring the daily operations to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Moreover, a director of after school programs empowers staff to reach program goals and implements policies and standards to provide a safe and healthy environment for the students.

On average, directors of after school program earn lower salaries than associate program directors, with a $33,796 difference per year.By looking over several associate program directors and directors of after school program resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "professional development," "program development," and "curriculum development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from associate program director resumes include skills like "oversight," "project management," "sas," and "veterans," whereas a director of after school program is more likely to list skills in "youth development," "child care," "doh," and "provide academic support. "

Directors of after school program typically earn lower educational levels compared to associate program directors. Specifically, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate program director vs. Program manager

A program manager is responsible for monitoring the project's progress, improving and developing new strategies, and coordinate various projects across the organization to ensure the success of the business objective. Program managers also manage the program's expenses, ensuring that the projects adhere to the budget goals without compromising the quality and accuracy of the result. A program manager should regularly connect with the different teams of every project under the program to keep track of the processes and procedures for the timely delivery of the product.

Program managers typically earn higher pay than associate program directors. On average, program managers earn a $12,640 higher salary per year.While both associate program directors and program managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like oversight, project management, and program management, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "sas," "veterans," "alumni," and "fda" are skills that commonly show up on associate program director resumes. On the other hand, program managers use skills like customer service, infrastructure, excellent organizational, and patients on their resumes.In general, program managers hold lower degree levels compared to associate program directors. Program managers are 5.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of associate program director

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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