How To Become A Chief Program Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a chief program officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Daryl Green

A chief program officer develops, maintains, and oversees the programs for an organization. You are expected to consult with the top management to devise new means and strategies to improve programs already in existence. Also, you are to come up with plans for a new one.

Apart from program implementation and funding, the chief program officer is in charge of the program coordinators, other staff members, and volunteers involved in any program. You also have to work to strengthen the relationship between your organization and the public. You need to actively think of strategies to enhance cooperation and human relations.

A graduate degree in a relevant field is required for this role. A chief programs officer should be able to think creatively and independently to reach organizational goals. You must be able to manage people and other resources productively. Good communication skills and team playing ability are also requirements. A chief program officer earns an average of $100,276.

What's a day at work look like for a chief program officer?

Dr. Daryl Green

Associate Professor of Business, Oklahoma Baptist University

Given the on-going threats of Covid-19, recent graduates can expect varying work days. Some students are working remotely (instead of an office space). Therefore, some recent graduates may still be living with their parents. We are still adjusting to 'The New Normal.' Given this reality, students need to be flexible and adaptable to their employment situation.

ScoreChief Program OfficerUS Average

Salary

7.8

Avg. Salary $108,110

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 8.00%

Black or African American 12.11%

Hispanic or Latino 14.40%

Unknown 4.26%

White 60.50%

Gender

female 36.85%

male 63.15%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a chief program officer

Explore chief program officer education requirements

Most common chief program officer degrees

Bachelor's

57.1 %

Master's

24.4 %

Associate

7.0 %

Start to develop specific chief program officer skills

Skills	Percentages
Human Resources	11.07%
Oversight	10.31%
Project Management	7.31%
Risk Management	6.63%
Strategic Plan	6.20%

Complete relevant chief program officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New chief program officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a chief program officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real chief program officer resumes.

Research chief program officer duties and responsibilities

Manage implementation of referrals, coordinate assignment of new physicians and create support network for transitioning patients during clinic closure.
Facilitate PMO strategy sessions and encourage PMO support.
Conduct fee analyses relate to Medicaid, Medicare and third party revenue sources.
Maintain federal and state medical regulations including Medicare and Medicaid.

Get chief program officer experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a chief program officer. The most common roles before becoming a chief program officer include director, vice president team lead and principal.

Prepare your chief program officer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chief program officer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a chief program officer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable chief program officer resume templates

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