What is the average Project Director salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of April 01, 2026, the average Project Director salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $195,582. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Project Director job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Project Director job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Project Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Project Director - Construction | $235,495 | $113.22 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Project Management Director | $207,695 | $99.85 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimating Director | $242,528 | $116.60 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| IT Project Management and Delivery Senior Manager | $203,120 | $97.65 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Project Engineering Director | $251,882 | $121.10 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Network Planning Director | $238,501 | $114.66 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Project Accounting Manager | $158,676 | $76.29 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Clinical Research Project Management Director | $265,795 | $127.79 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| IT Project Management and Delivery Director | $240,287 | $115.52 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
| Project Accountant III | $110,613 | $53.18 | Santa Cruz, CA | April 01, 2026 |
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Develops and directs construction project management planning and execution processes to meet project design requirements, schedules, and organizational financial objectives. Provides overall strategic governance for projects by establishing standards, processes, and tools for effective project management throughout the project lifecycle. Uses comprehensive knowledge of construction processes and operations to set project productivity and quality targets. Monitors project milestones, change orders, and technical status reports. Manages strategic client relationships and establishes clear lines of communication. Responds to escalated project issues that may impede project delivery and coordinates solutions. Analyzes project metrics to identify weaknesses or problems and propose operational improvements and cost savings for future projects. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Project Director - Construction Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Construction and Building Project Director, Property Development Director, Project Director - Construction
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Develops and directs project management operations and strategic planning to meet organizational goals. Provides overall strategic governance for projects by establishing standards, processes, and tools used for effective project delivery. Establishes methodologies to set productivity and quality targets and to assess results for all projects. Responds to escalated project issues that may impede project delivery and coordinates solutions. Monitors and analyzes project metrics to identify weaknesses or problems and to propose operational improvements and cost savings for future projects. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically requires Project Management Certification. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Project Management Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Director of Project Management, Internal Project Management Director, Project Administration Director, Project Strategy and Management Director, Project Management Director
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Leads the estimating function and develops standards, procedures, tools, and methodologies to produce cost estimates for technical projects based on work scope, specifications, and proposal or contract requirements. Establishes processes to perform analysis of project requirements, plans, and specifications to identify labor, material, equipment, and service requirements. Incorporates benchmark data, trends, and historical pricing to generate detailed cost estimates that consist of itemized lists of expenses, labor hours, material quantities, and potential cost variations. Develops a workflow and system for scheduling and processing estimate requests and communicating with stakeholders. Depending on the complexity and type of project, may use different estimating methods, mathematical models, or specialized estimating software tools to generate estimates. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Cost Estimating Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Technical Project Estimating Director, Cost Estimating DirectorCategories : Construction and Installation , Engineering , Financial Services , Logistics , Manufacturing , Planning
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Directs the technical project management function. Develops and establishes strategic project management and quality standards and methods that ensure on-time and in-scope delivery. Guides the development of technical estimates, work plans, methodologies, and deliverables. Builds project delivery team skills and capacity. Removes obstacles and negotiates with stakeholders. Manages and mitigates risk in all projects. Has deep and broad knowledge of technology. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. IT Project Management and Delivery Senior Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Technology Project Management Director, IT Project Management and Delivery Senior ManagerCategories : IT - Executive, Consulting , IT - All , IT - Computers, Hardware , IT - Computers, Software , IT - Manager , IT - Networking
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Plans and directs engineering design activities across multiple projects or product lines to ensure alignment with organizational goals, budgets, and timelines. Drives the development and execution of complex engineering solutions, from concept through testing and deployment. Approves major design decisions and project changes with significant impact on scope, cost, or schedule. Establishes performance metrics and ensures continuous improvement across engineering functions. Collaborates with executive leadership to shape long-term product and technology strategies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Project Engineering Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Director Engineering Design/Development Projects, Engineering Program/Project Management - Director, Engineering Project Controls Management - Director, Project Engineering DirectorCategory : Engineering
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Directs an organization's network planning department. Develops and implements an organization's network strategy. Directs initiatives to improve an organization's network effectiveness, efficiency, and security. Communicates and collaborates with senior management and other departments to create network solutions that align with organizational objectives. Establishes protocols for network maintenance and assessment. Researches trends, developments, and new technology in network planning, and evaluates their ability to improve the organization's network performance. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Network Planning Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Network Architecture Director, Network Planning and Project Director, Network Planning Director
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Manages a team of project accountants that perform accounting and financial activities to measure and monitor project financial performance. Oversees the creation and maintenance of project level accounts. Ensures that all postings, allocations, accruals and payments for the project are completed according to schedule. Reviews monthly project status reports prior to project reviews. Supports project leaders to address changes in project scope or timeline and resolve any financial issues that might impede project timelines. Tracks and analyzes consolidated financial results for all projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Project Accounting Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Project Accounting Services Manager, Project Accounting Manager
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Oversees and directs the clinical research project management operations of an organization. Creates and develops clinical research guidelines, processes, and procedures. Establishes methodologies to set productivity and quality targets. Reviews and analyzes project metrics against performance indicators and key deliverables. Designs and implements solutions to address future risks/issues. Ensures all projects are planned and conducted in accordance with all applicable regulations, standard operating procedures, and good clinical practices (GCP). Stays up to date with the latest developments in the clinical research field. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Clinical Research Project Management Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Study Project Management Director, Clinical Trial Project Management Director, Clinical Research Project Management Director
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Directs the technical project management function. Develops and establishes strategic project management and quality standards and methods that ensure on-time and in-scope delivery. Guides the development of technical estimates, work plans, methodologies, and deliverables. Builds project delivery team skills and capacity. Removes obstacles and negotiates with stakeholders. Manages and mitigates risk in all projects. Has deep and expert knowledge of technology. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. IT Project Management and Delivery Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Technology Project Management Senior Director, IT Project Management and Delivery DirectorCategories : IT - Executive, Consulting , IT - All , IT - Computers, Hardware , IT - Computers, Software , IT - Manager , IT - Networking
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Supports projects with overall accounting and financial activities to measure and monitor project financial performance. Creates and maintains project level accounts. Completes all postings, allocations, accruals and payments for the project. Prepares and distributes monthly reports on project status including budget and forecasting for project reviews. Coordinates with project team to reflect changes in project scope or timeline. Prepares final project close out. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Project Accountant III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Project Accounting Services Specialist III, Project Management Accountant III, Project Accountant III