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What is a senior manager, program management and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Daryl Green

A senior manager in program management oversees a portfolio of related projects and ensures their successful completion. They provide direction, manage budgets, and assign resources to achieve program goals. Senior managers in this role must have strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They collaborate with project managers to develop risk mitigation plans, ensuring that objectives are met within scope, schedule, and budget. Senior managers play a critical role in driving organizational change and success.

What's a day at work look like for a senior manager, program management?

Dr. Daryl GreenDr. Daryl Green LinkedIn profile

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.
ScoreSenior Manager, Program ManagementUS Average
Salary
8.5

Avg. Salary $132,993

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 14.79%

Black or African American 6.77%

Hispanic or Latino 10.17%

Unknown 5.21%

White 62.85%

Gender

female 26.92%

male 73.08%

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
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a senior manager, program management?

Pros

  • High salary

  • Access to advanced technology and resources

  • Opportunity to build a strong network of contacts

  • Recognition for successful program outcomes

  • Sense of personal fulfillment from achieving program goals

Cons

  • High stress due to pressure to meet performance targets

  • Long hours and heavy workload

  • Difficulties in balancing work and personal life

  • Possibility of dealing with personnel issues and conflicts within the team

  • Limited job security due to changes in organizational priorities or funding

Senior manager, program management career paths

Key steps to become a senior manager, program management

  1. Explore senior manager, program management education requirements

    Most common senior manager, program management degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.9 %

    Master's

    23.6 %

    Associate

    5.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior manager, program management skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Program Management16.45%
    Project Management11.86%
    Continuous Improvement5.44%
    Risk Management4.19%
    Infrastructure3.83%
  3. Complete relevant senior manager, program management training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior managers, program management learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior manager, program management based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior manager, program management resumes.
  4. Gain additional senior manager, program management certifications

    Senior manager, program management certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific senior manager, program management certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for senior managers, program management include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research senior manager, program management duties and responsibilities

    • Manage Americas fitness reimbursement and tuition reimbursement plans.
    • Manage projects leveraging both agile and waterfall methodologies throughout SDLC.
    • Manage full SDLC application development projects using agile development methodology.
    • Handle intake process, obtain insurance authorizations, supervise utilization and management of Medicaid behavioral health manage care services.
  6. Get senior manager, program management experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a senior manager, program management. The most common roles before becoming a senior manager, program management include senior project manager, program manager team lead and project manager.
  7. Prepare your senior manager, program management resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior manager, program management resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior manager, program management resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior manager, program management resume templates

    Build a professional senior manager, program management resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior manager, program management resume.
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
    Senior Manager, Program Management Resume
  8. Apply for senior manager, program management jobs

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

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

How did you land your first senior manager, program management job

Zippi

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Average senior manager, program management salary

The average senior manager, program management salary in the United States is $132,993 per year or $64 per hour. Senior manager, program management salaries range between $97,000 and $182,000 per year.

Average senior manager, program management salary
$132,993 Yearly
$63.94 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do senior managers, program management rate their job?

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Senior manager, program management reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

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


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

Enjoy all aspects.

Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.


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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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