Working in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and construction, senior program managers are sought after for their expertise in maximizing efficiency and profitability. Combining finance, technology, analysis and organizational skills, these professionals help businesses compete and succeed in a complex and changing economy.
Professionals can enhance opportunities for landing senior program manager jobs by pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a related program emphasis. For instance, the online MBA in Project Management program from Florida Institute of Technology provides professionals with the specialized knowledge and tools to succeed in advanced program manager roles.
The Role of Senior Program Managers
Because senior program managers can fulfill different roles depending on industry and expertise, there is a broad range of applicable job titles. For example, senior program managers may be information systems managers within the information technology field, health services managers in the healthcare industry, and construction managers within construction and development.
Specific job duties for senior program managers also vary based on factors such as industry type and employer size. Generally, these professionals are responsible for the efficient and profitable management of the company’s product or service delivery, which could include healthcare, software or manufactured goods.
While there is overlap, senior program managers occupy a different role than typical project managers. The program manager oversees a program that can consist of multiple projects, coordinating projects as needed to achieve the overall programmatic and organizational goals. Conversely, project managers generally focus on individual projects with distinct objectives and milestones, seeing those projects through from beginning to end.
Job Duties and Responsibilities for Program Managers
The wide variety of tasks performed by a senior program manager may include:
- Account management
- Supervision of employees and external consultants
- Handling daily staff assignments
- Planning and administering budgets
- Controlling income and revenue
- Tracking program expenses
When directing a focused program, such as strategic planning, the senior program manager may analyze business activities, expenses and profits to establish appropriate goals, strategize and communicate the strategy throughout the organization. Senior program managers in the IT field often concentrate in leading teams through the formulation and execution of program plans, strategies and functions.
Directing, defining and coordinating program issues are key functions in the senior program manager role. Establishing objectives, developing requirements, planning schedules and estimating costs are also common tasks. Reviewing proposals, negotiating contracts, monitoring technical issues and preparing reports are additional duties of senior program managers, who may use their knowledge of organizational development to lead teams toward reaching goals.
Salary and Career Growth Potential
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average job growth for several careers applicable to the role of a senior program manager. For example, BLS estimates that employment of computer and information systems managers will increase by 15% from 2022 to 2032, compared with the average growth rate of 3% for all occupations. Jobs for construction managers will grow by an estimated 5% during that same decade, while medical and health services managers will see employment opportunities spike by an impressive 28%.
BLS reports the following median wages for these occupational categories of managers as of May 2023:
- Computer and information systems manager: $169,510
- Construction manager: $104,900
- Medical and health services manager: $110,680
As with employment opportunities, multiple factors impact potential salary ranges. These factors can include regional market conditions, industry type, educational qualifications and candidate work history. In general, program managers receive substantial compensation, befitting their high level of training and responsibility. According to an earnings report from the Project Management Institute (PMI), program managers in the U.S. made a median annual salary of approximately $134,000 in 2023.
Education and Training Requirements
Although some program manager positions may only require a bachelor’s degree, earning an advanced degree can give candidates an advantage in the job market and — with appropriate experience — access to senior-level positions. Employers may prefer applicants who have a broad base of business knowledge, plus concentrated training and education.
Professionals who wish to pursue senior program manager careers can obtain the requisite preparation by completing an MBA in project management, such as Florida Tech’s 100% online program offering. Coursework typically covers topics such as mastering project management, organizational behavior, project tools and techniques, and strategic project management.
Employers should expect that professionals with an MBA in project management are able to:
- Participate in corporate strategic planning activities
- Apply project management theory to real-world business challenges
- Manage projects from planning and development to successful completion
- Use a process-based approach to achieve organizational goals
Additionally, senior program managers should have strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational and communication skills, along with the ability to research, analyze and recommend best practices. MBA students develop these skills and attributes through core coursework on essential business subjects.
Plus, Florida Tech’s project management MBA holds accreditation from PMI’s Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). This respected and specialized accreditation provides further evidence that program graduates receive the highest level of training in best practices and general business skills, positioning them to succeed in program manager roles across the globe.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online MBA in Project Management.
