Program Management Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Program managers typically have previous experience as a project manager or in a similar role. Most program managers have a bachelor’s degree in business or related field. The exact requirements for a program management job may vary from position to position, but you should be familiar with the organization’s mission and products as well as the specific needs listed in the job description. If a company is looking for a program manager for a specific department, experience working in that area is an obvious boon.

Program managers often work on several projects at once, overseeing a variety of different tasks from a big-picture perspective. You may not get into the details of how a specific project comes to life, so long as important milestones are met. You are instead focused on the larger program that encompasses several component projects. A project manager may work under a program manager. They focus on an individual project, paying attention to the details and ensuring that the project goes smoothly. A program manager may work with several project managers at once to ensure success.

As a program manager, you are in charge of overseeing the execution of an entire program or initiative. You may be in charge of several programs, ensuring they work in tandem to accomplish a primary goal. As it is a leadership role, communication, managerial, and problem-solving skills are essential. Depending on the nature of the project and the organization’s structure, a program manager may also be in charge of budgeting concerns and purchasing supplies. You need a firm grasp of the organization’s goals in order to successfully fill the role of program manager.

As a program manager, you oversee multiple projects. You coordinate multiple projects and see a project through its entire life cycle–from conception to retirement. You oversee a team of people and coordinate between various staff members involved in the project. Program managers keep the company’s bigger vision in mind, helping an initiative succeed and ensuring that everything goes according to plan. Program managers may report directly to stakeholders or the board of directors. You are in a managerial position and often oversee multiple projects at once in order to see larger organizational goals accomplished.