How To Become An Executive Program Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an executive program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Daryl Green

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an executive program manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $54.3 an hour? That's $112,953 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 189,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What's a day at work look like for an executive 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.

ScoreExecutive Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $112,953

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.7

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.96%

Black or African American 7.60%

Hispanic or Latino 12.74%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.34%

Gender

female 42.51%

male 57.49%

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 an executive program manager

Explore executive program manager education requirements

Most common executive program manager degrees

Bachelor's

70.8 %

Master's

19.1 %

Associate

7.3 %

Start to develop specific executive program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Program Management	13.80%
Project Management	11.72%
Digital Transformation	11.36%
Logistics	7.80%
CRM	5.16%

Research executive program manager duties and responsibilities

Lead enterprise architecture team and PMO for major international project.
Analyze and manage financial components and technical requirements for DoD programs.
Manage implementation of referrals, coordinate assignment of new physicians and create support network for transitioning patients during clinic closure.
Create and execute PMO to handle the incoming projects from U.S. Bank.

Get executive program manager experience

Apply for executive program manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an executive program manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do executive program managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Executive program manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

keeping the company vibrant in the marketplace and returning maximum shareholder value

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.

Cons

Enjoy all aspects.

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019