Program Manager Job Description Sample & Template

Program Manager discussing trends and metrics with colleague.

What skills and qualifications do Program Managers need?

Table of Contents

  1. Future Job Prospects for Program Managers
  2. Program Manager Salary and Benefits
  3. Education and Training Requirements
  4. Program Manager Job Description Sample – Free Download

1. Future Job Prospects for Program Managers

  • A Program Manager is responsible for managing all the component project-related parts of a program, while on budget and deadline.
  • While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect data on these roles. Instead, they consider these professionals under their “business operations specialists” category. These positions roles are expected to increase at a predicted rate of three percent (3%) by 2024.
  • Program Managers can work in almost all fields, from advertising, software development to consulting, energy and transportation to construction.

2. How much do Program Manager make

  • Salary.com states these roles average an annual salary of $124,489.

3. Educational and Training Requirements

  • Typically post-secondary education in a specialized field is required.
  • A Master’s Degree or MBA, or even a doctorate degree is preferred.
Tip
Understanding the idiosyncrasies and goals of an organization is important when performing the tasks of a Program Manager. Understanding the company culture and the organization structure is important for coordinating successful projects between different departments.

4. Program Manager Job Description Sample

Download This Job Description Template

We are seeking a Program Manager to coordinate and oversee the performance of our corporate service lines. You will have at least five years’ experience in contract negotiation, new business development, and project coordination. An MBA is required for this role. Applicants with a Six Sigma certification will be preferred.

You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with operations, engineering, and sales, to coordinate strategy development, timeline, budgets, and tasks of the various projects that make up our service lines. You will have overarching oversight of all program budgets and task completion in the various departments that make up our enterprise.

In this role, you will work directly with a Sales Engineer while reporting to the Operations Manager. You will guarantee all projects are completed on time and within the parameters of our budget. You will act as mentor when appropriate, as a leader, and as the corporate enforcer of our corporate goals to succeed.

Responsibilities

  • Oversees and coordinates a group of Project Managers and projects that make up an overarching program or system.
  • Strategic planning that helps drive a project toward completion.
  • Assists in hiring team members to lead and complete a project.
  • Defines the governance and oversight of the program, along with its component parts.
  • Facilitates and improves workflows, eliminating any hurdles that slow down the functioning of the overall project or organization.
  • Improves the efficiency of the interconnected parts of a project
  • Defines the overall budget and ensures that all projects that make up the program.
  • Monitors the progress of the components that make up a program.

Required Skills

Educational

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or other fields.
  • Master’s Degree or MBA required.

Technical

  • Expertise in science, mathematics, and technology.
  • Skilled with project management software, spreadsheets, P&L statements
  • Expert at Microsoft Office suite; strong data entry and documentation skills.
  • Technical writing skills.
  • Skilled at quickly scanning for information including emails, documents, websites, and more.
  • Math, budget, and time tracking skills.
  • Skilled resource allocator able to see big picture as well as small details.
  • Excellent at documenting details.

Communication/Organizational

  • Impeccable leadership skills.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communicator with internal and external teams.
  • Public speaker and motivator.
  • Calm under tight deadlines, able to function under heavy pressure to perform.
  • Understands the art and science of driving a team.
  • Highly ethical and responsible.
  • Able to work independently or on a team to complete job duties.
  • Savvy at client and contract negotiations.
  • Strong reading comprehension.
  • A team player, with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Creative problem solver.
  • Critical thinking skills.

Benefits

  • Full-time with benefits.

How to Apply

  • Apply by forwarding your resume along with a cover letter.