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Director, program manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. George Conrad,

Marcia Godwin Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical director, program manager skills. We ranked the top skills for director, program managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.9% of director, program manager resumes contained program management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a director, program manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 director, program manager skills for your resume and career

1. Program Management

Here's how director, program managers use program management:

Developed and implemented Infrastructure Start-up Program Management Manual that significantly reduce program start up times while integrating local norms.
Provided global, cross-functional program management to deliver projects on-time and within budget while achieving strategic business objectives.

2. Project Management

Here's how director, program managers use project management:

Developed Project Management Office maturity assessment tool and process that allowed adaptability to organizational size, needs and vision.
Facilitated instructor led project management and career path training programs to sharpen skills of employees and promote marketability.

3. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how director, program managers use oversight:

Provided general management oversight to four operational sections including 48 government civil service employees and 14 active duty Marines.
Provided clinical oversight, counseling, supervision and direction for outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation program for 120 patients annually.

4. Digital Marketing

Here's how director, program managers use digital marketing:

Created television and digital marketing campaigns and on-air contests to increase ratings share.

5. Rehabilitation

Here's how director, program managers use rehabilitation:

Carried out public relation activities for the corporation, including marketing of physical rehabilitation services to area hospitals and referral sources.
Started Rehabilitation Assistant program and student program; reduced operating costs and increased efficiency.

6. Patients

Here's how director, program managers use patients:

Assessed and treated psychological issues in behavioral medicine patients injured physically and/or emotionally in traumatic occupational accidents.
Provided weekly spiritual renewal groups where patients identified their assets and liabilities.

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7. Service Delivery

Service delivery means, having any contact with the public administration during which customers including citizens, residents, or firms, require or give data, handle their problems and perform their duties.

Here's how director, program managers use service delivery:

Redirected and motivated supervisors and counselors to meet service delivery objectives and compliance standards, or initiated corrective actions.
Evaluated and implemented policy and procedure based on changing needs of service delivery.

8. Portfolio

Here's how director, program managers use portfolio:

Worked closely with Senior Leadership on key initiatives for HR Portfolio to implement electronic on boarding documents and communication.
Worked with team of enterprise architects to drive asset portfolio management initiative and identify environment simplification opportunities.

9. 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 director, program managers use risk management:

Oversee risk management and participate in crisis resolution.
Provided monthly and quarterly Executive Level EAOS PMO briefings for Senior Leadership of Federal Services and Quality Risk Management Leadership.

10. Product Development

Product development is the complete procedure of creating a product from concept until release of the final product. Product development has many stages after which a product is released into the market. Identifying the need, creating the opportunity, conceptualizing a product, and providing a solution, all are different stages of product development.

Here's how director, program managers use product development:

Conducted thorough data analysis to verify test and provide input to product development.
Lead the effort for internal product development or products by using the skills of resources between projects.

11. Medicare

Medicare is a federal government insurance program that offers health care coverage to people who are 65 and above. In some cases, younger people with disabilities whose status is identified by the SSA can also avail the insurance program. Medicare covers the health expenses of people who are not able to afford it plus it protects the payee from rising health care costs.

Here's how director, program managers use medicare:

Program Manager for CMS.gov and Medicare.gov Websites and applications, oversaw successful delivery of many CMS Websites initiatives.
Represent the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program at statewide and national meetings and conferences.

12. Financial Management

Here's how director, program managers use financial management:

Exercised strong financial management to increase project profitability.
Leverage strengths in financial management and operations, serving as a primary contact through the entire budget and submission cycle.

13. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how director, program managers use professional development:

Developed a model project based learning environment lab for co-educators to observe, during professional development sessions.
Conducted professional development and staff reviews to assist in enhancing performance and succession planning initiatives.

14. PMO

Project management office or, as is often abbreviated, PMO is a part often found in larger companies, agencies, and other organizations of varying sizes. This department's main focus is to create, alter, and help implement project management policies and regulations within their enterprise, through a number of methods and means, such as documents, guides, and personal assistance. A PMO is truly helpful in standardising and improving the way projects are handled, and thus should be good at minimising costs, errors, and incidents.

Here's how director, program managers use pmo:

Consulted for online education organization to established a new enterprise wide PMO.
Tasked with providing a gap analysis for the team in order to create a tighter structure and PMO within the organization.

15. Program Development

Program development refers to a road for developers to guide them on creating and developing viable community programs. Since it provides an action plan for the project, it is a continuous process that only ends with the program's full implementation.

Here's how director, program managers use program development:

Program development and management, including setting organizational goals and objectives.
Consulted on assessment matters during new program development and assist in the progress of new programs and curriculum offerings.

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What skills help Director, 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 director, program manager resumes?

Dr. George Conrad

Associate Professor, Midland University

In my past experience as an HR administrator and superintendent, skills tend to be measured by experiences. If a new graduate can demonstrate that they have had a number of experiences with children in AND outside the classroom, they will appear to be a stronger candidate. Endorsements are also important. For example, when working with candidates who are seeking an endorsement in elementary education, I encourage them to also consider supplemental endorsements in areas such as special education, early childhood, or English a second language. This makes them more marketable.
While difficult to reflect on a resume, finding ways to illustrate their dispositions is also important. Teaching is far more than skills. How does a candidate show that they have empathy or a desire to make a difference in their students' lives? Many school districts in Nebraska are familiar with the use of Gallup's CliftonStrengths (the new term for StrengthFinder). As a result, candidates who can provide their 5 top strengths on a resume, draws additional attention.

What soft skills should all director, program managers possess?

Marcia Godwin Ph.D.

Professor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA) Director, University of La Verne

The perennial soft skills include flexibility, integrity, and the ability to communicate well with a wide variety of people and in different media. Customer service skills may sound too much like a retail business, but the ability to interact professionally and calmly with the public and officials is invaluable. In these challenging times, empathy and humility are increasingly important. Managers need to be able to focus and prioritize. The pandemic, climate change, and social justice issues require open minds, open hearts, and collaboration.

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

Marcia Godwin Ph.D.

Professor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA) Director, University of La Verne

There is no replacement for being able to write at a professional level, which we often don't recognize as a hard skill. Being able to read financial statements and work with spreadsheets are other critical skills. Being comfortable with technology and managing technical projects is as important as knowing particular software. It was hard to imagine a few decades ago how geographical informational systems, apps, and social media would become central to public service. Managers need to be constantly looking to the future and staying current with their professional development to stay on top of technological and social changes.

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

Dr. Malissa Scheuring Leipold

Chair & Associate Professor, Iona College

If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I would recommend that they keep their footing in the education field in some manner. Whether this is training in educational platforms, like Google Classroom or IXL which have become very popular among PK-12 schooling, this will enhance the skills which are now required in most classrooms today since the current climate dictates whether schooling may be in-person one day and remote another. Such classes/workshops are offered through colleges and universities, such as Iona, as well as through professional educator groups, such as Kappa Delta Pi, which is an international honor society in education. Also, every curricular area has professional memberships for teachers, and they consistently offer refresher workshops which keep teachers abreast of the latest in their field. Employers want to know that their teacher candidates and teachers take the initiative to be lifelong learners and model continuous best practice.

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

Dr. Amy Holcombe Ph.D.

Interim Dean, High Point University

Education leaders must posses effective communication skills that enable them to inspire internal and external stakeholders to buy into their vision. They must be leaders who can stake out a vision, align all of their resources and efforts towards achieving that vision, and effectively gain the commitment from all constituents to support that vision. Savvy employers are also looking for leaders that know how to leverage and develop the talent of their people to achieve the organization's strategic goals. Instructional leadership is not longer 'enough.' Strategic leaders must know how to maximize the talent of each team member in order to engage and retain them.

Do you want to know more?

List of director, program manager skills to add to your resume

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

Program Management
Project Management
Oversight
Digital Marketing
Rehabilitation
Patients
Service Delivery
Portfolio
Risk Management
Product Development
Medicare
Financial Management
Professional Development
PMO
Program Development
Business Development

Strategic Plan
Process Improvement
Mental Health
Direct Reports
Human Resources
R
Scrum
Sigma
Payroll
DOD
Logistics
SharePoint
Software Development
Program Budget
QA
ERP

Program Operations
Medicaid
Performance Evaluations
Staff Development
Hr Administration
Community Outreach
RFP
DHS
Contract Negotiations
SDLC
Staff Training
Earned Value Management
Community Resources
ROI
Cost Savings

Updated January 8, 2025

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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