OVERVIEW
What is a Program Manager?
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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听Program Manager Do?
A program manager focuses on implementing strategic tasks that align new programs with an organization鈥檚 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鈥檒l analyze your programs with a broad, high-level view鈥攍eaving 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鈥檙e also responsible for making sure that your programs deliver the best return on investment (ROI).
Basically, you can think of yourself as a 鈥渕eta-project manager,鈥� strategically and simultaneously orchestrating all of a program鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree in听, communications, computer science (if they鈥檙e 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鈥檚 in听or a master鈥檚 in business administration. Having an听听or other high-level management degree makes you a more desirable candidate.
If you鈥檝e already earned your degree or you鈥檙e 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 鈥� B.S. Business Administration
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$3,755 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 黑料传送门 master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition:听$4,755 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
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$4,755 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$4,755 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?
$148,863
According to听, 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?听
9%
The job outlook for a program manager is great. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations are听听from 2022 to 2032. This translates to more than 906,000 new jobs.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a听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
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at 黑料传送门 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鈥攕ooner than you might think!
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