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Best Jobs For Former Program Managers [2026]

By Chris Kolmar
Jul. 13, 2022
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 7, 2026

Best Jobs for Former Program Managers in 2026

The landscape for program managers has evolved significantly in recent years, and many professionals in this field may find themselves re-evaluating their career paths. The ongoing changes in the job market and advancements in technology have heightened the need for flexibility and adaptability, leading some program managers to explore new opportunities.

While enrollment in programs that train future program managers remains steady, fewer individuals are pursuing this career path. This shift raises an important question:

What are former program managers transitioning into now?

To understand this trend, we analyzed the resumes of former program managers and discovered a wealth of new career options. We compiled data from thousands of resumes, narrowing it down to the top 100 jobs that these professionals have moved into post-program management.

Some of the findings are both surprising and insightful, prompting us to highlight a selection of these roles.

Top Jobs for Former Program Managers

  1. Executive Director

  2. Business Developer

  3. Operations Director

  4. Management Consultant

  5. Adjunct Professor

  6. Principal

  7. Therapist

  8. Principal Consultant

  9. Chief Executive Officer

  10. Managing Director

While some of these roles may appear more appealing than others, they all represent significant career pathways for former program managers.

For a comprehensive list of these job opportunities, please see below.

Detailed Ranking of Most Common Jobs for Former Program Managers

Rank Job Title %
1 Senior Project Manager 4.03%
2 Project Manager 3.6%
3 Program Director 1.21%
4 Consultant 1.15%
5 Director 0.94%
6 Operations Manager 0.85%
7 Information Technology Project Manager 0.82%
8 Manager 0.66%
9 Senior Manager 0.66%
10 Vice President 0.62%
11 Executive Director 0.58%
12 Product Manager 0.51%
13 Case Manager 0.49%
14 Business Developer 0.48%
15 Account Manager 0.47%
16 Program Coordinator 0.45%
17 Owner 0.45%
18 Operations Director 0.43%
19 Marketing Manager 0.39%
20 Office Manager 0.38%
21 Administrative Assistant 0.36%
22 General Manager 0.33%
23 Management Consultant 0.33%
24 Senior Consultant 0.33%
25 Adjunct Professor 0.32%
26 Team Leader 0.32%
27 Substitute Teacher 0.32%
28 Principal 0.31%
29 President 0.3%
30 Teacher 0.29%
31 Business Analyst 0.29%
32 Business Development Manager 0.28%
33 Registered Nurse 0.27%
34 Customer Service Representative 0.27%
35 Engineering Manager 0.26%
36 Purchasing Manager 0.25%
37 Principal Consultant 0.23%
38 Service Manager 0.23%
39 Internship 0.23%
40 Therapist 0.23%
41 Chief Executive Officer 0.23%
42 Technical Project Manager 0.22%
43 Account Executive 0.22%
44 Human Resources Coordinator 0.22%
45 Coordinator 0.21%
46 Human Resources Manager 0.21%
47 Director Program Management 0.21%
48 Managing Director 0.21%
49 Assistant Director 0.21%
50 Social Worker 0.21%
51 Chief Operating Officer 0.19%
52 Sales Associate 0.19%
53 Volunteer 0.19%
54 Administrator 0.19%
55 Program/Project Manager 0.19%
56 Supply Chain Manager 0.18%
57 Supervisor 0.18%
58 Instructor 0.18%
59 Senior Product Manager 0.18%
60 Counselor 0.18%
61 Adjunct Instructor 0.17%
62 Sales Manager 0.17%
63 Service Coordinator 0.17%
64 Marketing Director 0.17%
65 Recruiter 0.17%
66 Quality Manager 0.17%
67 Programming Specialist 0.17%
68 Senior Director 0.16%
69 Project Coordinator 0.16%
70 Program Analyst 0.16%
71 Associate Director 0.16%
72 Adjunct Faculty 0.16%
73 Consultant/Project Manager 0.16%
74 Program Management Consultant 0.16%
75 Business Consultant 0.15%
76 Quality Assurance Manager 0.15%
77 Business Manager 0.15%
78 Associate 0.15%
79 Training Manager 0.15%
80 Owner/Operator 0.14%
81 Director of Information 0.14%
82 Project Director 0.14%
83 Project Leader 0.14%
84 Deputy Program Manager 0.14%
85 Contracts Manager 0.14%
86 Senior Analyst 0.14%
87 Senior Business Analyst 0.14%
88 Program Supervisor 0.14%
89 Specialist 0.14%
90 Assistant Manager 0.14%
91 Service Director 0.14%
92 Information Technology Manager 0.14%
93 Global Program Manager 0.13%
94 Senior Technical Program Manager 0.13%
95 Development Director 0.13%
96 Marketing Consultant 0.13%
97 Project Engineer 0.13%
98 President/Owner 0.13%
99 Engineering Program Manager 0.13%
100 Project Analyst 0.13%

Most Common Jobs for Former Program Managers

  1. Senior Project Manager

  2. Project Manager

  3. Program Director

  4. Consultant

  5. Director

  6. Operations Manager

  7. Information Technology Project Manager

  8. Manager

  9. Senior Manager

  10. Vice President

These roles not only leverage the skills and experiences honed during their time as program managers but also provide pathways to new and diverse career opportunities.

How We Determined the Best Jobs for Former Program Managers

Utilizing data from our extensive database of over 7 million resumes, we examined the work histories of individuals who listed program management as part of their career. We identified the subsequent roles they transitioned into, ranking them by frequency of occurrence.

To compile our list of the most intriguing career options, we scrutinized the ranked list for positions that:

  • Appeared in less than 1% of all new job postings
  • Were not part of the top 100 most common jobs in our database

In summary, the evolving job market presents numerous opportunities for former program managers to pivot into exciting new roles. By leveraging their skills in project management, leadership, and strategy, these professionals can find fulfilling career paths that align with their experiences and aspirations.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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