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Business program manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Bernie Cerasaro,
Andreas Udbye Ph.D.
Business program manager example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical business program manager skills. We ranked the top skills for business program managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.0% of business program manager resumes contained project management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a business program manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 business program manager skills for your resume and career

1. Project Management

Here's how business program managers use project management:
  • Led project management technology initiatives and directed teams in improving organizational effectiveness and containing operational costs for the facilities business unit.
  • Created/Directed the Executive Project Management Department comprised of project managers and business analysts in direct report and matrix-based reporting hierarchies.

2. Program Management

Here's how business program managers use program management:
  • Placed in new position specifically created by executive team as an opportunity to develop strong Program Management skills with experienced mentor.
  • Experience in all aspects of program management including basic competency to effectively manage financial and budgetary information and systems.

3. Portfolio

Here's how business program managers use portfolio:
  • Collaborated with the company owner on developing the portfolio, evaluating products/services, determining pricing, and creating training/marketing materials.
  • Performed portfolio optimization analysis and reported on portfolio performance to senior leadership.

4. KPIs

Here's how business program managers use kpis:
  • Devised and implemented business scorecard with key performance indicators (KPIs) on Sales CRM system usage and performance.
  • Worked with team to create and define new metrics and KPIs to clarify team's duties.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how business program managers use customer service:
  • Developed customer service financial strategies by estimating, forecasting and anticipating resource requirements, trends and variances.
  • Established customer service operational strategies by evaluating trends and identifying critical measurements.

6. Risk Management

Risk management is the method of recognizing, evaluating, and managing risks to an organization's resources and profits. Financial insecurity, regulatory liability, strategic management mistakes, incidents, and natural hazards are just some of the challenges or dangers that could arise. For digitalized businesses, IT security vulnerabilities and data-related threats, as well as risk management techniques to mitigate them, have become top priorities.

Here's how business program managers use risk management:
  • Conducted project planning activities including scheduling, risk management, product selection and approval, product customization and implementation.
  • Developed and evaluated KPI measurement criteria and oversaw all facets of risk management.

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7. Process Improvement

Here's how business program managers use process improvement:
  • Led cross-functional team in successfully prototyping a platform-consolidation initiative that served as the launchpad to future process improvement initiatives.
  • Incorporated partner feedback into system and process improvements to enable increased value perception and usage adoption.

8. Azure

Here's how business program managers use azure:
  • Refactored C# code to make Azure Usage API easier to use and more supportable.
  • Managed the consolidation of thousands of SKUs used by customers in Azure.

9. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how business program managers use continuous improvement:
  • Participate in post launch audit output evaluations to recommend advancements for continuous improvement of project execution practices.
  • Influenced and managed continuous improvement of product/solution development lifecycle process, practices and initiatives.

10. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how business program managers use excellent interpersonal:
  • Succeeded in bridging communication between technology teams and business leaders by leveraging expertise in SAP HR module and excellent interpersonal skills.

11. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how business program managers use hr:
  • Strengthened ability of HR, Payroll, and Finance Directors to translate their functional processes for SAP implementation project.
  • Schedule day and evening classes, accommodated staff availability, and administered a wide range of general HR services.

12. Business Operations

The operations that carry out the inner working of an organization are called business operations. From creating products, to marketing them, business operations play a vital role in every step.

Here's how business program managers use business operations:
  • Reviewed all enterprise projects for Business Continuity risks to business operations and customers.
  • Introduced business operations model for Microsoft Chief Information Security Officer.

13. Business Intelligence

Here's how business program managers use business intelligence:
  • Led university-wide projects and overall Business Intelligence Program to improve access to data across campus and help inform executive decision making.
  • Submitted weekly telephonic and project activity reports internally to senior management using business intelligence tools from Cisco and Siemens.

14. Digital Marketing

Here's how business program managers use digital marketing:
  • Launched Laboratory Website for $180M clinical laboratory and reagent business including design and digital marketing to improve customer experience.
  • Provide business requirements for Adobe Digital Marketing Cloud implementation including two-way integration with customer database and 1:1 marketing platforms.

15. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how business program managers use business development:
  • Developed, delivered, monitored and reported business development programs to assist businesses in competing for government contracts.
  • Collaborated with Business Development and Sales to implement indirect sales and channel strategies.
top-skills

What skills help Business Program Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on business program manager resumes?

Bernie Cerasaro

Assistant Teaching Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny

Skills employers would be looking for would be functional skills and interpersonal skills. Functional skills should stand out on a resume and be aligned to the business job in question. For example, if focused on marketing positions, marketing skills such as data analytics, market research, consumer behavior, global marketing, and professional selling skills would be areas for which employers would be looking. If the job market is looking for someone in accounting, then functional skills that would stand out would be intermediate financial accounting skills and courses on taxation and auditing. For those seeking positions in project management or supply chain management, skills that would stand out would encompass subject matter such as project management, portfolio management, operations planning and control, purchasing and materials management, and knowledge of ERP type systems and other business processes.

Skill sets can be enhanced via various types of certification. For example, those interested in accounting might pursue a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, which requires 150 credits. As most universities require 120 credits for a bachelor's degree in business, a CPA would require just an additional 30 credits, which students can start accumulating while still at college. Project management certification is also an opportunity to enhance the aforementioned skills and would certainly stand out on an applicant's resume. The Project Management Institute (PMI) promotes PMP certification, which validates that you are highly skilled in soft skills to lead project teams and have the required technical aspects of managing projects. Some universities are working with the PMI to have PMI-approved courses. Approved courses are used toward the PMP training hours required to sit for the exam. For example, Penn State University has received approval for two such courses, Portfolio Management and Organizations and Project Planning and Resource Management.

Due to the high rate of interaction with the global marketplace and the complexity of international business, managers are looking more closely at applicants who have some familiarity with global markets and international culture, such as applicants who may have study abroad experience, traveled internationally, speak a foreign language or have lived or worked in another country.

What soft skills should all business program managers possess?

Andreas Udbye Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University Of Puget Sound

Collaboration and teamwork skills are crucial, as well as the ability to focus and meet deadlines. Although it is nice to mention that you are a good multi-tasker, most people are these days, and employers seem to like people who can stay the course and complete tasks on time and with high quality. Tenacity and accuracy are other attractive attributes.

What hard/technical skills are most important for business program managers?

Andreas Udbye Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University Of Puget Sound

Job listings in supply chain management will typically list more technical skills than what can realistically be possessed by one person (SQL, Python, ERP, project management, etc.), but at a minimum, an applicant needs strong spreadsheet skills and at least some exposure to database management.

What business program manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kim RobertsDr. Kim Roberts LinkedIn profile

Professor of Operations Management, Website

Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.

What technical skills for a business program manager stand out to employers?

Peggy SmithPeggy Smith LinkedIn profile

Department Chair, Arlington Baptist University

It is my fervent belief (based on research and trends) that the technical skills associated with IT, computer programming, software management, social media specialist, customer relations management (CRM), sales, & marketing will be in high demand particularly as we navigate this new normal world in which we are currently living.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about business program manager

List of business program manager skills to add to your resume

Business program manager skills

The most important skills for a business program manager resume and required skills for a business program manager to have include:

  • Project Management
  • Program Management
  • Portfolio
  • KPIs
  • Customer Service
  • Risk Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Azure
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • HR
  • Business Operations
  • Business Intelligence
  • Digital Marketing
  • Business Development
  • Business Management
  • Business Planning
  • Sigma
  • Business Process
  • Data Analysis
  • SQL
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Business Strategy
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Shared Services
  • PMO
  • ROI
  • Visualization
  • CRM
  • Dependency Management
  • Issue Resolution
  • Project Plan
  • Financial Management
  • Management Process
  • Financial Analysis
  • SDLC
  • Product Development
  • Technical Support
  • User Acceptance
  • Windows
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Develop Value

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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