How To Become A Deputy Program Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a deputy program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Daryl Green

Deputy program managers are responsible for leading program teams in a variety of settings. You are an assistant to the program manager and, therefore, will lead and direct the technical and administrative project team. Similarly, you will execute and monitor project activities. You will prepare and update project plans and status reports and provide updates on customer and corporate issues. Plus, you will need to participate in scheduled operational meeting routines with team leads and employees. The allocation of appropriate resources to ensure projects are completed within the given time and budget is also your responsibility, and you will participate in project performance review meetings and discussions.

Excellent communication and public speaking skills are required because you tend to speak and relate with others frequently and give full attention to what other people are saying by taking time to understand what is being said. A very good time management skills, strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills are required. You must also have excellent leadership skills. You will earn an average of $103,955 a year.

What's a day at work look like for a deputy program manager?

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.

ScoreDeputy Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

8.0

Avg. Salary $115,694

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.7

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.50%

Black or African American 7.53%

Hispanic or Latino 12.61%

Unknown 4.69%

White 66.01%

Gender

female 23.88%

male 76.12%

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

9.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

1.8

Complexity level is simple

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a deputy program manager

Explore deputy program manager education requirements

Most common deputy program manager degrees

Bachelor's

67.4 %

Master's

19.4 %

Associate

9.5 %

Start to develop specific deputy program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Program Management	17.69%
Project Management	12.08%
DOD	6.50%
Risk Management	4.16%
DPM	3.49%

Research deputy program manager duties and responsibilities

Manage training and user guides for the multiple systems to mission essential personnel both CONUS and OCONUS.
Initiate the effort to ensure the team leads and project managers on program are PMI and ITIL certify.
Manage all functions of the contact as it applies to safety, construction and fire protection engineering support to NASA.
Utilize SharePoint to manage and store project documentation.

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