OVERVIEW
What is a Program Manager?
Program managers oversee the fulfillment of larger organizational goals. They coordinate activities between multiple projects without directly managing them. Instead, they manage the main program, giving detailed attention to program strategy, project delegation, and program implementation. This manager has a large responsibility to ensure that all the team members understand how to work together and coordinate their efforts on the way to a larger goal.
Program managers help organizations stay on schedule, on budget, and ultimately on an upward trajectory of growth and success.
In many organizations, completing one large, overarching goal requires the execution of multiple individual projects. And when these projects are all interconnected, it can be challenging to keep them organized. This is where a program manager steps in.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Program Manager Do?
A program manager focuses on implementing strategic tasks that align new programs with an organization’s business strategy and goals. Their job description centers around high levels of coordination, delegation, and more.
Just what exactly is a program? A program typically refers to a group of related projects, or projects and programs, that together support an overarching business initiative, such as a:
- Sales process
- Product launch
- Facility or store opening
- Marketing plan
- Customer or employee training
As a program manager, you’ll analyze your programs with a broad, high-level view—leaving day-to-day project activities to your project managers. Your primary job description and responsibility is to ensure that all of your project managers are efficiently and effectively working toward program goals. You’re also responsible for making sure that your programs deliver the best return on investment (ROI).
Basically, you can think of yourself as a “meta-project manager,” strategically and simultaneously orchestrating all of a program’s intertwined projects. If you love to multitask, this is the job for you!
Typical day-to-day program management activities include:
- Planning and monitoring program execution
- Project coordination and managing project interdependencies
- Creating and managing a budget
- Cross-project resource management
- Identifying and addressing problems and risks
- Program documentation
- Stakeholder communications, negotiations, and problem-solving
- Aligning or realigning deliverables with program outcomes
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Program Manager?
Many program managers have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, computer science (if they’re interested in working in technology), or other related fields such as marketing.
Depending on what industry you prefer and the size of the company you intend to work for, you may need to get an advanced degree such as a master’s in management and leadership or a master’s in business administration. Having an MBA or other high-level management degree makes you a more desirable candidate.
If you’ve already earned your degree or you’re currently working as a program manager, you should still consider:
- Earning program management certifications
- Joining related professional organizations
- Regularly attending industry seminars, conferences, and events
This continued education will keep you abreast of new skills and best practices for improved job performance and upward mobility.
Best Degrees for a Program Manager
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,530 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
How Much Does a Program Manager Make?
$148,863
According to salary.com, a program manager makes an average annual salary of $148,863 in 2022. The top 10% make more than $190,000, and even the bottom 10% of earners bring in just under $109,000. A career as a program manager can be financially rewarding.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
9%
The job outlook for a program manager is great. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations are expected to grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032. This translates to more than 906,000 new jobs.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Program Manager Need?
Since program managers work with a variety of stakeholders, exceptional leadership and communication skills are part of the job description. If you want to know how to become a program manager, here are their other most common attributes:
- Highly analytical and organized
- Excellent teambuilders
- Great negotiators and influencers
- Adept at conflict resolution
- Creative problem solvers
- Outstanding planning, resource, and stakeholder manager
- Able to see the bigger picture and sell their vision
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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