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Chief program officer vs program director

The differences between chief program officers and program directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a chief program officer and a program director. Additionally, a chief program officer has an average salary of $108,110, which is higher than the $80,664 average annual salary of a program director.

The top three skills for a chief program officer include human resources, oversight and project management. The most important skills for a program director are oversight, social work, and patients.

Chief program officer vs program director overview

Chief Program OfficerProgram Director
Yearly salary$108,110$80,664
Hourly rate$51.98$38.78
Growth rate28%8%
Number of jobs150,63482,810
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4740
Years of experience66

What does a chief program officer do?

The chief program officer (CPO) is responsible for developing, implementing, and supervising a non-profit organization's programming, such as creating an outreach program or job training courses for the homeless. They seek advice from the CEO and other executive managers at the organization on how to enhance the existing programming and services and coordinate new programs. Other duties and responsibilities include managing program implementation and funding, as well as giving guidance to program coordinators, staff, and volunteers. Additionally, they seek feedback and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

What does a program director do?

Program directors are employees who oversee all aspects of a specific program in the company. They usually work in nonprofit organizations or are assigned to a department doing corporate social responsibility activities. Program directors ensure that the program is in line with the company's goals. They also ensure that the resources assigned to the program are properly managed and that all finances are accounted for. They create strategies to ensure the success of the program and communicate these to everyone involved. They lead the implementation and evaluation of the program.

Chief program officer vs program director salary

Chief program officers and program directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief Program OfficerProgram Director
Average salary$108,110$80,664
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $171,000Between $50,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireGeorgia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncMayo Clinic
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between chief program officer and program director education

There are a few differences between a chief program officer and a program director in terms of educational background:

Chief Program OfficerProgram Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Chief program officer vs program director demographics

Here are the differences between chief program officers' and program directors' demographics:

Chief Program OfficerProgram Director
Average age4740
Gender ratioMale, 63.2% Female, 36.8%Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%14%

Differences between chief program officer and program director duties and responsibilities

Chief program officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage implementation of referrals, coordinate assignment of new physicians and create support network for transitioning patients during clinic closure.
  • Facilitate PMO strategy sessions and encourage PMO support.
  • Conduct fee analyses relate to Medicaid, Medicare and third party revenue sources.
  • Maintain federal and state medical regulations including Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Prepare program and budget estimates for reports for senior managers responsible for executive oversight of strategic war planning system.
  • Provide oversight to the integration of other U.S. governmental agencies into the USEUCOM exercise program including representatives serving in non-governmental organizations.
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Program director example responsibilities.

  • Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
  • Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
  • Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
  • Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.
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Chief program officer vs program director skills

Common chief program officer skills
  • Human Resources, 11%
  • Oversight, 10%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Risk Management, 7%
  • Strategic Plan, 6%
  • Professional Development, 5%
Common program director skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%

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