Global program manager vs global director

The differences between global program managers and global directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a global program manager, becoming a global director takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a global director has an average salary of $157,749, which is higher than the $103,268 average annual salary of a global program manager.

The top three skills for a global program manager include project management, program management and global program. The most important skills for a global director are project management, cloud, and HR.

Global program manager vs global director overview

	Global Program Manager	Global Director
Yearly salary	$103,268	$157,749
Hourly rate	$49.65	$75.84
Growth rate	16%	10%
Number of jobs	204,439	81,120
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	47	39
Years of experience	8	10

What does a global program manager do?

Global program managers have varied duties and responsibilities. These include coordinating with other teams in developing improvements to a company's global programs, working closely with international departments to enhance all global processes, and developing and implementing modifications to products and services. Additionally, they are responsible for administering all purchase orders to suppliers, managing all business systems, and overseeing all the company's communication. Global program managers are also responsible for developing and maintaining good relations with customers and ensure customer retention and satisfaction.

What does a global director do?

The duties of a global director will vary on one's line of work or company of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing and leading a diverse range of employees or departments, developing new strategies and programs for global markets, and ensuring that all products and services are inclusive and public friendly. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to implement all policies and regulations, all while developing new ones to ensure the efficiency of the company and its services.

Global program manager vs global director salary

Global program managers and global directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Global Program Manager	Global Director
Average salary	$103,268	$157,749
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $146,000	Between $107,000 And $230,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Meta	Barclays
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between global program manager and global director education

There are a few differences between a global program manager and a global director in terms of educational background:

	Global Program Manager	Global Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	University of Georgia

Global program manager vs global director demographics

Here are the differences between global program managers' and global directors' demographics:

	Global Program Manager	Global Director
Average age	47	39
Gender ratio	Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6%	Male, 74.5% Female, 25.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	11%	10%

Differences between global program manager and global director duties and responsibilities

Global program manager example responsibilities.

Coordinate and manage all aspects of solution delivery while leveraging SDLC and agile methods.
Manage and oversee logistics vendor in arranging mock advisory committee sessions.
Lead quarterly executive governance meetings and monthly operations review meeting for global suppliers.
Manage communications for implementation of outsource service provider for indirect sourcing activities in EMEA and APAC.
Manage cross-functional teams including global communications, product/parts replacements, logistics and hardware fulfillment, warranty, and escalations.
Handle intake process, obtain insurance authorizations, supervise utilization and management of Medicaid behavioral health manage care services.

Global director example responsibilities.

Lead all communication, development and employee training efforts with ERP software provider.
Create and maintain reports and dashboards for measuring global leads, opportunities and tracking company KPIs.
Manage vast data sources in order to align metrics to behavioral change and KPIs meaningful to business interfaces and leadership team.
Manage cloud software for shipping visibility of ocean containers, tendering and contract management, maximizing leverage and oversight.
Manage global teams affecting operational functions in the supply chain including, logistics, inventory management and retail operations.
Collaborate with regulatory team to deliver documentation sufficient to convince FDA to lift consent decree with a finding of substantially compliant.

Global program manager vs global director skills

Common global program manager skills

Project Management, 11%
Program Management, 9%
Global Program, 7%
Client Facing, 6%
External Stakeholders, 5%
Process Improvement, 5%

Common global director skills

Project Management, 8%
Cloud, 5%
HR, 4%
Oversight, 4%
Continuous Improvement, 4%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Global Program Manager vs. similar jobs

Global Program Manager related careers

Global Program Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Global Program Manager
Global Program Manager vs Global Director

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs