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What does a Program Lead do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A program lead is responsible for managing a business program's operation from its conceptualization to implementation. Program leads must have excellent communication and researching skills to monitor current industry trends, adjusting program techniques and strategies to meet society's demands. They have a clear understanding of the organization's long-term goals and outline plans to define those objectives, bringing new programs to light following clients' specifications that would help the business grow revenues, maintain customer satisfaction, and keep its good reputation, and achieve profitability goals.

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Program lead responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real program lead resumes:

  • Assess instructor effectiveness in achieving client ISP objectives.
  • Manage security and access policies base upon operational need-to-know and DOD regulations and requirements
  • Conduct daily clinical documentation audits, manage consumer financial accounts, provide oversight and approval for all treatment and discharge planning.
  • Up to date on CPR, trauma medical aid and restraints holds.
  • Know basics of first aid and CPR, have not receive certification yet.
  • Evaluate quarterly expenditure reports and project budgets, and release money to local NGOs.
  • Plan and coordinate GED classes for clients and provide transportation to and from class site.
  • Support the membership programs and activities of the largest coalition of U.S. base international NGOs.
  • Develop and complete six sigma project to identify inefficiency in customer approvals of parts (approx 900 parts).
  • Plan and administer lessons for students that would supplement their grade curriculum in order to increase reading and mathematics comprehension.
  • Design and implement character building lessons and activities for a group of 6 kids ages 3-16 that meets once every month.
  • Assist teachers' education of speech development, early mathematics, encouraging play and interaction between children, and picture identification.
  • Maintain student database using Salesforce.
  • Help rehabilitate kids getting out of juvenile detention.
  • Produce and refine PowerPoint presentations in support of ongoing programs and initiatives.

Program lead skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Program Leads are proficient in Project Management, HR, and Work Ethic. They’re also known for soft skills such as Flexibility, Physical strength, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Program Leads that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 13%

    Lead project management quality and initiatives within Production Systems and Production planning with emphasis and focus on total quality management.

  • HR, 11%

    Train and mentor other HR team members, management and staff in compensation processes, standards and systems/tools.

  • Work Ethic, 10%

    Served as a positive adult role model for children by displaying appropriate dress, speech, work ethic, and attitude.

  • CPR, 8%

    Received training and certification in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR to ensure a safe and healthy atmosphere.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%

    Performed risk analyses to identify and mitigate barriers to the transformation process while emphasizing claim auto adjudication and maximizing customer satisfaction.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Provided customer service and program management to clients in site-specific, parks and recreational facility that provides educational programming to public.

"project management," "hr," and "work ethic" are among the most common skills that program leads use at work. You can find even more program lead responsibilities below, including:

Flexibility. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program lead to have is flexibility. Their role and responsibilities require that "recreation workers must be flexible when planning activities." Program leads often use flexibility in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "fast paced position that required great flexibility to work between front desk and assisting other workers with supervising children during recess. "

Physical strength. Many program lead duties rely on physical strength. "most recreation workers should be physically fit," so a program lead will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways program lead responsibilities rely on physical strength: "demonstrated physical education exercises and stretches to children and provided them with safety procedures and materials. "

Leadership skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of program leads is leadership skills. This skill is critical to many everyday program lead duties, as "recreation workers should be able to lead both large and small groups." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "facilitated student leadership projects be a positive role model and mentor to students improve student's skills and provide academic support"

Problem-solving skills. For certain program lead responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a program lead rely on this skill, as "recreation workers need strong problem-solving skills." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what program leads do: "assessed and problem solved hr systems and business processes for new system interface. "

Communication skills. Another common skill required for program lead responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of program leads all the time, as "recreation workers must be able to communicate well." An excerpt from a real program lead resume shows how this skill is central to what a program lead does: "served as communication coordinator and delivered initiatives to hr team members. "

Most common program lead skills

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Compare different program leads

Program lead vs. Activity coordinator

An activity coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities. They generally report to the activity director or community manager. One of their tasks is to collaborate with directors of studies to schedule the activities. Other tasks include coordinating staff with the activities and informing them of the decisions regularly. Also, they strategize, coordinate, and encourage the members to participate in the activities.

We looked at the average program lead salary and compared it with the wages of an activity coordinator. Generally speaking, activity coordinators are paid $65,418 lower than program leads per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both program lead and activity coordinator positions are skilled in cpr, customer service, and patients.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between program leads and activity coordinator. For instance, program lead responsibilities require skills such as "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction." Whereas a activity coordinator is skilled in "memory care," "front desk," "mds," and "social interaction." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, activity coordinators reach similar levels of education than program leads. Activity coordinators are 3.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Program lead vs. Recreation assistant

A recreational assistant is responsible for performing administrative support tasks while under the supervision of a recreational manager. Their duties revolve around planning various activities that align with the company's vision and mission, such as sporting events and other fun games. They also participate in arranging equipment and supplies such as tables and stages, facilitating programs, securing necessary permits and documentation, responding to calls and inquiries, and assisting participants. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all workers and adhere to company policies and regulations.

On average, recreation assistants earn a $69,687 lower salary than program leads a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both program leads and recreation assistants have skills such as "cpr," "customer service," and "patients. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that program lead responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction." But a recreation assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "mds," "recreation programs," "rehabilitation," and "compassion."

In general, recreation assistants achieve lower levels of education than program leads. They're 6.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program lead vs. Activities director

An activities director is responsible for planning engaging events for the participants, considering individual interests and the safety of procedures and resources. Activities directors guide the activity staff on assisting the participants, ensuring that they are comfortable with joining the activities. Since most activities directors work at a healthcare facility or elderly institution, they must also monitor the health of the participants by conducting therapeutic activities and evaluate the participants' progress for every program. The activities director must be a critical-thinker, as well as have excellent communication skills to coordinate with facilities personnel for successful activity completion.

On average, activities directors earn lower salaries than program leads, with a $55,745 difference per year.program leads and activities directors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "cpr," "customer service," and "patients," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a program lead is likely to be skilled in "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction," while a typical activities director is skilled in "rehabilitation," "resident care," "home health," and "mds."

Activities directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to program leads. Specifically, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program lead vs. Senior counselor

The responsibilities of a senior counselor will depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Most of the time, a senior counselor works with the youth, particularly children. They focus on facilitating recreational programs, ensuring a safe and fun experience for them. They may also assess the children's condition and needs, providing them with the necessary assistance and guidance. Furthermore, when a senior counselor must reach out to parents and guardians, they may inform them of any concerns or progress.

Senior counselors typically earn higher pay than program leads. On average, senior counselors earn a $26,678 higher salary per year.While both program leads and senior counselors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cpr, customer service, and professional development, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A program lead uses "project management," "hr," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction." Senior counselors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "litigation," "legal advice," "legal issues," and "legal support. "senior counselors reach similar levels of education compared to program leads, in general. The difference is that they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 16.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of program lead

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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