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Program Manager job description template

If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.

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Free job description below
Median pay
$89,504per year, about $43 an hour
Range$25,000 to $145,500 a year
Hourly$13 to $70 an hour
Also calledProject Manager, Project Coordinator, Director of Operations
DepartmentAdministration and Office Support
The role

What is a Program Manager?

Program Managers work in various companies and organizations, where they are in charge of coordinating multiple projects across departments.

They are responsible for the achievement of large organizational goals and missions. They don’t directly coordinate each project, but they ensure the proper execution of them instead.

Also, they collaborate with the management team to develop and improve strategies, manage budgets, and produce and maintain accurate program reports.

What to screen for

The top Program Manager skills.

Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.

SkillWhy it matters
LeadershipBeing a good leader, especially in program and project management roles, means understanding the company’s vision, mission, and goals, and leading employees toward achieving them. Great leadership skills help Program Managers monitor and coordinate tasks effectively, motivate and encourage other people and create an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
OrganizationA great organization is an essential skill for Program Managers. They need to learn how to prioritize their work, coordinate multiple projects, and programs, document everything, and ensure every process runs smoothly. They are not just responsible for their own time, but their employees’ time is in their hands as well.
CommunicationProgram Managers work and communicate with many different people throughout the day, from team members and clients to stakeholders and directors. No matter who they talk to, they need to make sure their ideas, goals, and vision are correctly conveyed and understood.
AdaptabilityProgram Managers must be open to sudden adjustments to projects. They should flexibly respond to changes and adapt to new situations. Adaptable Program Managers are also more successful when it comes to adjusting to new industry trends, equipment, technology, etc.
Problem-SolvingIt is inevitable that issues or conflicts may occur in any company or organization. Since Program Managers are in touch with practically everybody and everything in the workplace, they need to develop a strong ability to quickly provide effective solutions to any issue.
Free template

The job description, ready to post.

Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.

Program ManagerAdministration and Office Support · Free to use and edit

We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Program Manager to coordinate projects across our company. In this role, you will be responsible for organizing and monitoring programs and activities in the company and developing strategies that will support the overall direction of the company. Additionally, you will establish long-term goals and ensure they are achieved, as well as handle budgets and timelines.

The most important thing in this job is to ensure every project and activity runs smoothly and efficiently, and business relationships with our clients and stakeholders are nurtured. In order to succeed in this position, our ideal candidate should be someone well-organized, with great leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. The ability to adapt to sudden changes and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment is also crucial.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Organize and coordinate various programs and activities in the company across departments
  • Develop new programs and strategies that will support the overall strategic direction of the company
  • Establish and manage long-term goals
  • Develop evaluation methods to check program strengths and areas of improvement
  • Ensure effective performance in terms of customer satisfaction, safety, quality, etc
  • Develop and implement performance changes to ensure project goals are achieved
  • Produce and maintain accurate program reports
  • Report to executives and directors
  • Predict and analyze program risks
  • Develop and handle timelines and budgets
  • Meet with clients and stakeholders and maintain trusting business relationships
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and improve strategies
  • Expand program offerings and maintain the quality of existing ones
  • Manage staff and resources for the program

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, business administration, management, or similar
  • Previous working experience as a Program Manager or other managerial position
  • Strong knowledge of change management principles and performance evaluation processes
  • Teamwork and leadership skills
  • Communication and problem-solving skills
  • Organization and time management
Add your pay range, benefits, and location before you post. Postings with a stated range get significantly more finished applications than the ones that leave it out.

Take the template with you

Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.

Education

Degree first, then the certification.

The required educational requirement for Program Managers is a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, business administration, management, or a related field.

Educational requirements may vary depending on the type of industry or the company they work in.

Candidates who apply for this position are also required to have at least a few years of experience in the project management environment, such as Project Managers or similar.

PgMP

Program Management Professional

Demonstrates advanced experience and skill in program management.

Project Management Institute (PMI)
CAPM

Certified Associate in Project Management

Validates knowledge of project management principles and practices.

Project Management Institute (PMI)
Treat these as a signal, not a requirement. Plenty of strong candidates come up through experience without one.
After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a Program Manager.

Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.

Personal
  • Why did you decide to become a Program Manager?
  • Tell us more about your educational background.
  • Why are you leaving your current company?
Human Resources
  • What do you plan to accomplish in the next 10 years in this position?
  • If hired, what is the first thing you would do when you come to work?
  • Do you consider yourself a good leader?
Management
  • How would you explain the difference between program management and project management?
  • Could you explain to us your organizational methods?
  • If a company decides to change the project or goal, how do you adapt to the newly formed situation?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • How do you prioritize work when monitoring multiple projects?
  • What is the most challenging project you worked on, and how did you manage it?
  • How do you ensure the project is complete and successful?
Score answers with AvaHR scorecards
Pay

How much to pay when hiring.

Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.

10th percentile$25,000
25th percentile$53,500
Median$89,504
75th percentile$117,000
90th percentile$145,500

Hourly equivalents run from $13 at the 10th percentile to $70 at the 90th.

Related job titles

Candidates may apply under a different name.

Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.

Same work, different title

Three titles, one description.

Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.

Browse every title

Project Manager

A Project Manager is a person in charge of coordinating and overseeing a company’s projects.

$102,682 median

Project Coordinator

$59,915 median

Director of Operations

Directors of Operations are often employed by organizations in a variety of sectors to oversee the day-to-day operations of their companies.

$107,680 median
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is a typical working environment for Program Managers?

Program Managers usually work in an office environment, where they develop program strategies and manage budgets and policies.

They regularly visit other departments and project teams to ensure progress, efficiency, and proper performance.

How much do Program Managers earn annually?

Program Managers earn between $25,000 and $145,000 per year.

What are the typical educational requirements for Program Managers?

Program Managers are required to obtain a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, business administration, management, marketing, or similar field.

What is the basic role of a Program Manager?

Program Managers are coordinators in the company or organization who monitor multiple projects and ensure the company’s goals and missions are met.

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