Program Management as a Career
Description of the Job
Program Managers take the helm in designing, planning and overseeing the successful completion of a program and the various projects that are a part of that program. They lay out the program’s strategy, communicate its objectives and analyze how it will impact the company. Program Managers ensure long-term organizational objectives are met and that strategic benefits and business growth are achieved at the completion of a program.
A similar job is project managers, which are people who oversee individual projects within a company. A program is a collection of interrelated projects. So program managers coordinate multiple related projects within a program. These individuals provide guidance to project managers and also ensure that project goals align with the program.
Fast Facts
- Number of hours per week40-50
- Average starting pay$58k Nationally, $65k in the Bay Area
- Amount of travel requiredLittle to none
Roles & Responsibilities
- Define program controls, such as procedures and reporting
- Decide on the allocation of company resources across projects
- Manage the budget of a program
- Manage the risks and contingency plans of a program
- Manage the interdependencies between projects
- Monitor all projects to ensure that project managers meet milestones
- Assist with the selection and appointment of new program team members
Skills Needed
- Strong leadership: A program manager needs to be an effective leader to manage and motivate multiple project managers and teams.
- Knowledge of finance: One of the most important aspects of program management is managing the program budget.
- Excellent communication: Program managers work with people all the time, whether it is senior management, the accounting department, project managers, or project team members. They need to communicate effectively with a wide range of different people.
- Organization: To successfully manage multiple projects and teams, a program manager needs excellent organizational and planning skills.
- Strategic skills: A program manager needs to align a program’s goals with the organization’s goals and strategies at all times. Also, program managers need to constantly formulate plans to keep programs within scope, budget, and limited timeframes, which requires strategic thinking.
Steps to Enter The Field
- A bachelor's degree in business administration (or another business degree) is often required to be a Program Manager. Larger corporations may expect a Master’s degree in business administration or a related field.
- Having previous management experience, as well as experience in a leadership role can be very beneficial.
- Prospective Program Managers should have extensive knowledge of technical tools, such as databases or software.
- Skills such as leadership, time management, and organization are integral parts of the program management role, and should be developed beforehand.
- Experience through internships is valuable, especially when looking for a job right out of college.
Landscape of the Field & Companies in the Field
- Practically every corporate company has program managers since they’re a vital part of a company’s organizational structure and ensure that various projects in the company are completed successfully
- When looking for program management positions, people should consider which industries interest them and look for jobs in those industries
External Resources to Learn More & Develop Skills
- LinkedIn Program Manager Course: A linkedIn course that contains lessons on how to become a successful program manager.
- Project Management Blogs: contains a list of 32 blogs (project management and program management are similar)
- Program Management Certification: a certification for Program management from Project Management Institute (for later professionals, requires 4 years of experience)
- Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM): This certification shows that candidates have the essential core functional and technical competencies needed for project and program management.
Related Careers
- Management consultant, Project manager, Product manager, Project portfolio management
Informational Interviews
Ben Gotfredson
Company Name: Snowflake
Title: Global Startup Program Manager
Years of Experience: 6
Biography
Ben Gotfredson is a Global Startup Program Manager at Snowflake. He graduated from Santa Clara University with degrees in Political Science and History. He joined Snowflake after college in various Sales roles for 5.5 years, then was promoted to a Global Startup Program Manager.
Overview
Steps to Enter Field
Challenges & Favorite Parts
Advice
Debbie Petru
Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad
Title: Training Program Manager
Years of Experience: 20
Biography
Since recording these recordings, Debbie got a new role as a Program Manager at Spreetail. However, at the time of the recording, Debbie was a Training Program Manager at Union Pacific Railroad. She graduated from her undergraduate degree at University of Nebraska at Omaha, and she got her Master's Degree in Managerial Communication at Bellevue University.