OVERVIEW
What is a Program Manager?
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Program managers oversee the fulfillment of an organization鈥檚 larger strategic goals by coordinating multiple related projects and aligning them with business听objectives.听They're听responsible for听bringing people and projects听together, and听ensuring that every team member understands how their individual efforts contribute to the bigger picture.听By听matching听project outcomes with organizational听goals, program managers play a critical role in long-term business success.
The program manager role is vital to keeping organizations on track鈥攎aintaining听schedules, budgets, and an upward trajectory toward long-term growth and success.听听
In many organizations, completing one large, overarching goal requires the execution of multiple interconnected projects. Keeping听all of听the moving parts organized and aligned can be a challenge鈥攁nd听that鈥檚听where a program manager steps in.听
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a听Program Manager Do?
Think of a program manager as the link between big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution. They focus on implementing strategic tasks that align听program听objectives听with an organization鈥檚 business strategy and goals. Their job description centers around听high levels听of coordination, delegation, and organization of programs.
A program typically refers to a group of projects that work together to support an overarching business initiative, such as a:听
- Sales process听
- Product launch听
- Facility or store opening听
- Marketing plan听
- Customer or employee training听
Program managers oversee and analyze programs with a broad, high-level view,听allowing project managers to focus on the day-to-day responsibilities of individual projects.听While project managers concentrate on deliverables and timelines, program managers ensure that multiple projects align to deliver strategic value.听The听primary听goal of a program manager听job听is to make sure all project managers are working efficiently听toward shared program goals, and that the overall program delivers the best return on investment (ROI).
Often called 鈥渕eta-project managers,鈥 program managers strategically coordinate and oversee all interconnected projects within a program.听If you love to multitask and thrive on big-picture thinking, this is the job for you.
Typical day-to-day program management responsibilities include:听
- Project planning, coordination, and managing project interdependencies
- Monitoring program execution and milestones
- Creating and managing a budget听
- Resource allocation
- Overseeing cross-functional teams
- Project resource management听
- Identifying听and addressing problems and risks听
- Program documentation听
- Stakeholder management, communications, and negotiations听听
- Aligning or realigning deliverables with program outcomes听
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Program Manager?
Many program managers have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in听business administration, communications, or marketing. Some program managers focus more on informational technology and choose to earn a related degree in computer science or data analytics. Depending on career goals, and the size and scope of the organization you intend to work for, pursuing an advanced program management degree鈥攕uch as a master鈥檚 in听management and leadership听or an听MBA鈥攃an set you apart as a highly qualified candidate.听
In addition to a degree, continued learning plays听a major role听in this field. Program managers seeking career advancement should consider:听
- Earning program management certifications听
- Joining professional organizations听
- Regularly attending industry seminars, conferences, and events听
These ongoing professional development opportunities keep you听up to date听with emerging best practices and sharpen your skills and knowledge for improved job performance and positioning you for career advancement.听They also expand your professional network, increase your visibility in the field, and may open doors to executive leadership roles.
Best Degrees for a Program Manager
Business
Business Management 鈥 B.S.
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61%听of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition:听$3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 this program will teach you include:听
- 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 鈥 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:听61%听of graduates finish 黑料网 master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition:听$4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses:听10 total courses in this program
- Specialization:听Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your r茅sum茅 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
Communications 鈥 B.S.
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world...
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world skills for a variety of industries.
- Time:听60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition:听$3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses:听38 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Communication
- Content Creation
- Value-Based Leadership
- Project Management
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
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:听Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition:听$4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 you will learn in this program include:听
- 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鈥攁nd our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Management and Leadership 鈥 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%听of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition:听$4,805 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management听
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
How Much Does a Program Manager Make?
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A听role as a听program manager听can be professionally and financially听rewarding. According to听, a program manager earns an average annual salary of $143,863 in 2025.听Entry-level roles typically听pay听around $76,000, while experienced program managers can earn over $160,000 annually depending on industry and location.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?听
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The job outlook for a program manager is strong. According to the听U.S.听Bureau of Labor Statistics听(BLS), management occupations are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. This translates to around听听each year.听听
SKILLS
What Skills Does a听Program Manager Need?
Since program managers work with a variety of stakeholders, exceptional听leadership听and听communication听skills are essential. If听you鈥檙e听interested in becoming a program manager, here are some top skills and attributes that help professionals thrive in this role:
- Highly analytical and organized听
- Strong teambuilders听
- Effective negotiators and influencers听
- Adept at conflict resolution听
- Creative problem-solvers听
- Outstanding planning, resource, and stakeholder managers
- Able to see the bigger picture and sell their vision听
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