OVERVIEW
What is a Program Manager?
泭
Program managers oversee the fulfillment of an organizations larger strategic goals by coordinating multiple related projects and aligning them with business泭objectives.泭They're泭responsible for泭bringing people and projects泭together, and泭ensuring that every team member understands how their individual efforts contribute to the bigger picture.泭By泭matching泭project outcomes with organizational泭goals, program managers play a critical role in long-term business success.
The program manager role is vital to keeping organizations on trackmaintaining泭schedules, budgets, and an upward trajectory toward long-term growth and success.泭泭
In many organizations, completing one large, overarching goal requires the execution of multiple interconnected projects. Keeping泭all of泭the moving parts organized and aligned can be a challengeand泭thats泭where a program manager steps in.泭
RESPONSIBILITIES
Understanding the Role of a Product Manager
PMs sit at the intersection of business泭and product泭strategy, user experience, and technology. From this position,泭theyre泭able to steer products through all stages of the product lifecycle, including ideation, development, launch, feedback, and iterative improvement.
A product manager may be likened to CEO of the product, meaning泭that泭they engage in high-level planning, manage stakeholder expectations, coordinate cross-functional teams, and balance strategy with day-to-day, hands-on execution. PMs work closely with engineering, UX design, marketing, and business teams to ensure every decision supports a shared product vision. The scope of the PM role requires strong leadership, thoughtful communication, and the ability to translate complex technical constraints into actionable plans.
泭A PMs influence spans customer research,泭product泭roadmap planning, feature prioritization, and long-term product evolution.
Key Responsibilities of a Product Manager:
Product managers define product direction, make informed trade-offs using data and strategy, and guide teams as ideas move from concept to泭product泭launch.泭The泭following PM tasks help turn ideas into impactful products that meet user and business needs.
- Conducting market research and customer analysis:泭PMs evaluate泭customer泭needs, analyze competitors, and uncover insights that may inform product direction.
- Setting and articulating product vision:泭PMs泭establish泭a compelling vision that aligns the team and guides decision-making.
- Prioritizing features:泭Feature prioritization is the process of deciding which features to build first based on customer value, business goals, and technical feasibility.
- Creating the product roadmap:泭A product roadmap is a strategic plan outlining what the team will build, when it will build it, and why. It visualizes upcoming features, timelines, and priorities.
- Fostering cross-functional collaboration:泭PMs coordinate with engineering, UX, marketing, and leadership teams to ensure cohesive execution.
- Managing the entire product lifecycle:泭From concept to launch to iterative improvement, PMs track product performance and recommend ways to enhance it.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Program Manager?
Many program managers have a bachelors degree in泭business administration, communications, or marketing. Some program managers focus more on informational technology and choose to earn a related degree in computer science or data analytics. Depending on career goals, and the size and scope of the organization you intend to work for, pursuing an advanced program management degreesuch as a masters in泭management and leadership泭or an泭MBAcan set you apart as a highly qualified candidate.泭
In addition to a degree, continued learning plays泭a major role泭in this field. Program managers seeking career advancement should consider:泭
- Earning program management certifications泭
- Joining professional organizations泭
- Regularly attending industry seminars, conferences, and events泭
These ongoing professional development opportunities keep you泭up to date泭with emerging best practices and sharpen your skills and knowledge for improved job performance and positioning you for career advancement.泭They also expand your professional network, increase your visibility in the field, and may open doors to executive leadership roles.
Best Degrees for a Program Manager
Business
Business Management B.S.
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61%泭of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition:泭$3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your r矇sum矇 this program will teach you include:泭
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Marketing M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time:泭61%泭of graduates finish 91勛圖厙 master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition:泭$4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses:泭10 total courses in this program
- Specialization:泭Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your r矇sum矇 that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
Business
Communications B.S.
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world...
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world skills for a variety of industries.
- Time:泭60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition:泭$3,830 per 6-month term
- Courses:泭38 total courses in this program
Skills for your r矇sum矇 you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Communication
- Content Creation
- Value-Based Leadership
- Project Management
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time:泭Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition:泭$4,805 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your r矇sum矇 you will learn in this program include:泭
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere elseand our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Management and Leadership M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60%泭of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition:泭$4,805 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your r矇sum矇 that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management泭
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
Business
Project Management B.S.
Step into your first project management role with the education and...
Step into your first project management role with the education and credentials you need.
- Time:泭61%泭of graduates finish similar programs within 19 months.
- Tuition:泭$3,830 per 6-month term.
- Courses:泭39 courses in this program.
Skills for your r矇sum矇 that you will learn in this program:
- Agile project management
- Project planning and scheduling
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Team coordination
- Procurement and change management
- Process improvement
- Project documentation and reporting
- Project management software
The B.S. in Project Management equips you with the focused project management knowledge to guide projects from start to finish. Prepare for your career in project management and Project Management Professional (PMP簧) exam eligibility through industry-aligned courses at your pace and on your schedule.
How Much Does a Program Manager Make?
$148,863
A泭role as a泭program manager泭can be professionally and financially泭rewarding. According to泭, a program manager earns an average annual salary of $143,863 in 2025.泭Entry-level roles typically泭pay泭around $76,000, while experienced program managers can earn over $160,000 annually depending on industry and location.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?泭
Above Average
The job outlook for a program manager is strong. According to the泭U.S.泭Bureau of Labor Statistics泭(BLS), management occupations are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. This translates to around泭泭each year.泭泭
SKILLS
What Skills Does a泭Program Manager Need?
Since program managers work with a variety of stakeholders, exceptional泭leadership泭and泭communication泭skills are essential. If泭youre泭interested in becoming a program manager, here are some top skills and attributes that help professionals thrive in this role:
- Highly analytical and organized泭
- Strong teambuilders泭
- Effective negotiators and influencers泭
- Adept at conflict resolution泭
- Creative problem-solvers泭
- Outstanding planning, resource, and stakeholder managers
- Able to see the bigger picture and sell their vision泭
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at 91勛圖厙 year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degreesooner than you might think!
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