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Professional development manager vs development & program manager

The differences between professional development managers and development & program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a professional development manager, becoming a development & program manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a development & program manager has an average salary of $102,824, which is higher than the $101,737 average annual salary of a professional development manager.

The top three skills for a professional development manager include professional growth, project management and educational programs. The most important skills for a development & program manager are professional development, project management, and program management.

Professional development manager vs development & program manager overview

Professional Development ManagerDevelopment & Program Manager
Yearly salary$101,737$102,824
Hourly rate$48.91$49.43
Growth rate7%10%
Number of jobs114,553186,222
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4539
Years of experience410

What does a professional development manager do?

A professional development manager is typically responsible for designing and developing career and professional growth programs in companies. Their responsibilities usually include planning interviews and assessments to identify the employees' needs, establishing guidelines and timelines, coordinating staff, liaising with internal and external parties, and collaborating with other experts. They must also develop training programs to enhance employees' soft and hard skills. Moreover, as a professional development manager, they must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a development & program manager do?

The responsibilities of a development and program manager depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, they are in charge of overseeing the operations behind various projects and programs, ensuring everything is running smoothly and efficiently. They must also devise new strategies to improve workforce performance and services, identify new opportunities for profit growth, and determine the needs of clients. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team in the joint effort to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Professional development manager vs development & program manager salary

Professional development managers and development & program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Professional Development ManagerDevelopment & Program Manager
Average salary$101,737$102,824
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $156,000Between $76,000 And $137,000
Highest paying CityDaly City, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyShearman & SterlingFoundation Medicine
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between professional development manager and development & program manager education

There are a few differences between a professional development manager and a development & program manager in terms of educational background:

Professional Development ManagerDevelopment & Program Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Georgia

Professional development manager vs development & program manager demographics

Here are the differences between professional development managers' and development & program managers' demographics:

Professional Development ManagerDevelopment & Program Manager
Average age4539
Gender ratioMale, 41.9% Female, 58.1%Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 Percentage18%10%

Differences between professional development manager and development & program manager duties and responsibilities

Professional development manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage SDLC process, while participating in requirements gathering, functional documentation, data analysis, and implementation plans.
  • Attend and at times chair San Diego CME providers network to share best practices across organizations.
  • Negotiate with product management, development and QA to ensure operational support requirements are incorporated into new product design specifications.
  • Create bi-weekly target HDQ messages direct to flight attendants via e-Board PowerPoint slides.
  • Team with speakers and sponsors to develop materials including PowerPoint and case studies.
  • Develop content and deliver professional skills training including client development, professional responsibility, ethics, and legal practice skills.

Development & program manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage PLM data integrity report and PLM post launch report by project.
  • Manage a budget of $600,000 each year to maintain annual KPIs.
  • Develop, establish, and manage product families OEM in and out relationships.
  • Shape the strategic direction and implement CRM strategies to manage a corporate loyalty program.
  • Manage the vendor selection process among OEM candidates and manage requirements lock down across vendors.
  • Manage direct and indirect sales channels and strategic partners within the Americas for new development products.
  • Show more

Professional development manager vs development & program manager skills

Common professional development manager skills
  • Professional Growth, 11%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Educational Programs, 10%
  • Staff Development, 10%
  • Training Programs, 7%
  • Training Sessions, 4%
Common development & program manager skills
  • Professional Development, 22%
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Program Management, 8%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • HR, 4%
  • Program Development, 3%

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