Program management is a gratifying and in-demand position where you’ll help your organization’s vision, strategy, and outcomes achieve long-term value.
You need a good project manager on your team to help your organization or yourself reach your most important objectives.
An interesting job description is the first step in attracting and hiring the perfect program manager.
The fundamentals are straightforward. Your job description for a program manager should be clear and simple. Tell prospects how their efforts will impact your company’s success in plain words.
Introduce your organization’s values and culture to tempt program managers who share your goals and vision.
Ensure that each item on your responsibilities, duties, and qualifications appropriately matches the program manager’s expectations.
So, let’s move on and go over them again.
Table of contents
- What is a Program Manager
- What is a program Management?
- What does a Program Manager do?
- Program Manager Job Description: Duties and Responsibilities
- Program Manager Skills and Qualifications
- Program Manager Salary
- Program Manager education and training requirements
- Program Manager Experience Requirements
- What’s the Difference Between a Program Manager and a Project Manager?
- How Do I Become a Program Manager?
- Is Program Manager a Good Career?
- Program Manager Job Description Templates
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
What is a Program Manager
A program manager is a strategic project manager whose job it is to oversee and organize all of an organization’s projects, products, and other strategic activities. Program managers are in charge of ensuring that broader corporate objectives are met.
They vary from project managers because they do not have direct control over individual projects.
In many businesses, achieving a single broad, overarching goal necessitates the completion of several smaller projects. It can be difficult to keep these projects organized when they are all interconnected. Here’s where a program manager comes in handy.
What is a program Management?
According to Wikipedia, Program management is managing several related projects, often to improve an organization’s performance.
Program management is frequently linked to systems engineering, industrial engineering, change management, and business transformation in practice and its goals.
It is the most common method for managing extensive projects in the defense sector. Because significant defense initiatives include dealing with contractors, it’s sometimes referred to as acquisition management, implying that the government buyer gets products and services through contractors.
What does a Program Manager do?
Program Managers monitor the many projects a company does to ensure that they align with the organization’s mission and program objectives.
The company’s executive team will usually tell Program Managers about its strategic direction and the objectives it wishes to achieve.
Program managers will then track the status of many projects within their program to ensure they stay on track and meet or surpass their objectives.
They’re responsible for creating the program’s budget and ensuring all projects stay inside.
Most program managers devise their assessment techniques to thoroughly analyze and assess their program’s strengths and identify any areas for improvement.
If you want to pursue in project management, check out: Project Management Career Path | Ultimate Guide
Program Manager Job Description: Duties and Responsibilities
Program Managers oversee the development of programs that support an organization’s main objectives. Some of their primary duties include:
- Organizing daily activities based on the goals of the organization
- Devising new programs that support the organization’s objectives
- Coming up with sustainable goals for the organization
- Working with other departments to develop budgets and plans for the programs
- Evaluating and assessing the programs’ strengths and weaknesses
- Monitoring projects and overseeing project managers to ensure goals are met
- Meeting with stakeholders to discuss program status and goals
- Working with the marketing team to improve strategies
Program Manager Skills and Qualifications
Program Managers need to have certain skills to deliver quality results within set timeframes, including:
- Bachelor’s degree in management, business, or related field; Master’s degree (MA or MSc) in business or related field preferred
- 5+ years’ previous experience in program management, project management, administration, or related field
- Proficient computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office Suite; working knowledge of program/project management software (Basecamp, MS Project)
- Knowledgeable in program management methodology and techniques, performance evaluation, and change management principles
- Experience with compiling and following strict budgets
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time effectively
Program Manager Salary
According to Indeed, a Program Manager makes an average of $69,188 per year. This salary may vary based on a candidate’s experience level, education, geographical location, and the company’s specific industry.
Based on the data collected from program managers’ employees, according to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Program Manager is $96,347 per year in the United States.
Program Manager education and training requirements
Program Managers’ educational qualifications vary depending on the size and industry of their organization. However, they are usually expected to have a bachelor’s degree.
Some employers prefer individuals with a business management degree. In contrast, others may look for candidates with specific skills, such as someone with a computer science degree who wants to work in the IT industry. Some organizations may also seek candidates with a master’s degree.
Program Manager Experience Requirements
The level of experience necessary may vary depending on the kind of programs your organization requires and whether or not you provide comprehensive on-the-job training.
Depending on their educational background, experienced Program Managers often require 3-5 years of experience.
Candidates with business management or project management certification and considerable schooling may require less experience, while those with only a bachelor’s degree may require more management experience.
Many employers seek people with prior project management expertise.
What’s the Difference Between a Program Manager and a Project Manager?
Project managers are in charge of individual projects, whereas program managers are in charge of the overall strategy and success of a group of related projects.
A program manager is in charge of a group of initiatives linked by a shared corporate purpose, known as a program. The program manager ensures the program aligns with the company’s overall strategy.
While project managers are in charge of completing individual projects, program managers are in charge of ensuring that groupings of projects are completed successfully.
Read more: Business Administration Vs. Business Management Degree
How Do I Become a Program Manager?
Many program managers have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, computer science (if they want to work in technology), or marketing.
You may need an advanced degree, such as a master’s in management and leadership or a master’s in business administration, depending on the industry you want to work in and the size of the organization you want to work for.
An MBA or other advanced management degree makes you a more appealing prospect.
Even if you have a bachelor’s degree or are currently working as a program manager, think about:
- Earning program management certifications
- Joining related professional organizations
- Always attending industry seminars, conferences, and events
This continued education will inform you of new skills and best practices for improved job performance and upward mobility.
Is Program Manager a Good Career?
Yes. This is a good career choice if you want to work on a variety of projects and manage a team.
There are many job opportunities in the field, ranging from technology to healthcare and engineering. Program managers are in high demand, with a nine percent predicted increase in employment.
Program Manager Job Description Templates
Conclusion
If you’re an employer looking for a job description to utilize when recruiting a program manager, the sample copy and tips in this post will help you create one for your company.
Having a solid job description, which you can easily and quickly create using the information in this article, can aid you in finding and attracting the finest qualified people to your organization.
Also, if you’re curious about this work and how to get into it, you’ll find this post helpful in learning more about it.
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