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Program Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Program Manager, or Program Specialist, oversees the successful running of an organization’s programs. A Program Manager’s main responsibilities include daily governance of programs to ensure tasks are kept on schedule, managing budgets, and maintaining communication with all program stakeholders.

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Program Manager duties and responsibilities

When writing a job description for a Program Manager, it is important to specify the role’s main function. Some of the most important duties and responsibilities required to excel as a Program Manager include: 

  • Working with Team Leads and Project Managers to identify, secure, and onboard resources for the program
  • Tracking progress against project milestones and holding others accountable for assigned tasks
  • Scheduling internal and external program meetings while also tracking and following-up with action items
  • Generating invoice requests to ensure timely invoicing
  • Identifying any barriers to successful program execution and escalating as appropriate
  • Building partnerships with various industry stakeholders and leaders
  • Managing contracts and agreements with clients to ensure all requirements are fulfilled
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Program Manager Job Description Examples:

What does a Program Manager do? 

A Program Manager is responsible for the operational management of an organization’s programs including planning, budgeting, and allocating work. Within a business, the Program Manager will determine how their specific program is performing and how it can be improved. Their responsibilities include meeting with Project Managers and Team Leads to ensure all of the projects that make up the program are running successfully. They are responsible for ensuring any problems that arise within the program are addressed and dealt with.

Program Manager skills and qualifications

A successful Program Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications required for the duties of this job, including: 

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Work proactively with little supervision
  • Flexible and adaptive to a frequently changing environment
  • Taking and giving constructive feedback
  • Strong project management, leadership, and organizational skills
  • Close attention to detail and a high level of accuracy

Program Manager experience requirements

Generally, Program Manager candidates will need at least three to five years experience working on or running programs. Candidates with experience as Program Coordinators or Project Managers are ideal. Some candidates may also have experience working with project management software tools. Candidates should also have demonstrable experience in a leadership role.

Program Manager education and training requirements

Program Manager candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant topic to the industry they will be working in. Ideal candidates will have also obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Candidates with industry-relevant certifications may be preferred but not necessary for the role.

Program Manager salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Program Manager in Canada is $71,433 per year. Salary can vary depending on many factors, including experience, location, or the company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Program Manager isn’t quite what you are looking for, other related job descriptions include: 

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Program Manager job description FAQs

What should you look for in a Program Manager's resume?

A good Program Manager should have the ability to write, critique, and edit materials that are worked on as part of the program. They should also be good at hiring the right candidates for different roles within the program. The right candidate should also have excellent computer skills and be able to work with software such as the MS Office suite, Adobe Acrobat and CRM databases.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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