What does a senior program operations manager do?
A senior operations manager is responsible for managing and overseeing a few high-level duties related to human resources (HR). Your duties typically include analyzing and improving organizational processes, working to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality, and providing leadership to overall staff. Additionally, you will be responsible for assisting HR with hiring when needed, promoting a company culture that encourages high morale and top performance, and overseeing the planning, auditing, and budgeting activities. As a senior operations manager, you are also expected to work closely with the board of directors to plan for short- and long-term goals.
Senior program operations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior program operations manager resumes:
- Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
- Develop tools, policies, procedures for the PMO.
- Own PMO and change management responsibly throughout project lifecycles.
- Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
- Direct enhancement to incorporate MERS approval and notification for all litigation documents, to include requirements and UAT.
Senior program operations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Senior Program Operations Managers are proficient in Metrics, Project Management, and Program Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Program Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Metrics, 12%
Defined metrics and reporting used for reliability across Windows Division.
- Project Management, 11%
Implemented several changes to streamline project management and design procedures to eliminate areas of redundancy and become more cost effective.
- Program Management, 9%
Delivered program management inputs for several Global Training and Logistics proposals to technical and cost volumes.
- Continuous Improvement, 6%
Skilled operational re-design, continuous improvement, cost management, cash flow improvements and supply chain solutions.
- SR, 6%
Program Manager / Sr. Operations Manager / Sr.
- Logistics, 4%
Manage and coordinate international logistics operations in support of US strategic objectives.
Common skills that a senior program operations manager uses to do their job include "metrics," "project management," and "program management." You can find details on the most important senior program operations manager responsibilities below.
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior program operations manager duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." According to a senior program operations manager resume, here's how senior program operations managers can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "managed transition of us manufacturing facilities to a global erp solution. "
Time-management skills. This is an important skill for senior program operations managers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior program operations manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior program operations manager: "maintained on time delivery metrics of 97% or higher for each of the programs managed. ".
Communication skills. A big part of what senior program operations managers do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to senior program operations manager responsibilities because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior program operations manager tasks: "developed communication and training programs for related erp implementations. "
Leadership skills. Another common skill required for senior program operations manager responsibilities is "leadership skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior program operations managers all the time, as "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." An excerpt from a real senior program operations manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior program operations manager does: "selected venue and managed logistics and budget for annual product operations leadership meeting. "
The three companies that hire the most senior program operations managers are:
- Amazon80 senior program operations managers jobs
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.12 senior program operations managers jobs
- Thermo Fisher Scientific8 senior program operations managers jobs
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Compare different senior program operations managers
Senior program operations manager vs. Manager, center operations
The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to produce progress reports, devise strategies for optimal business performance, delegate tasks, and even manage the budget. As a manager, it is crucial to lead and encourage the team to reach goals and sales targets while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior program operations manager are more likely to require skills like "metrics," "program management," "sr," and "logistics." On the other hand, a job as a manager, center operations requires skills like "infrastructure," "osha," "standard operating procedure," and "quality standards." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Managers, center operations earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $68,400. On the other hand, senior program operations managers are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $123,807.The education levels that managers, center operations earn slightly differ from senior program operations managers. In particular, managers, center operations are 9.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior program operations manager. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior program operations manager vs. General manager of operations
General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management. They coordinate the primary performance goals for direct reporting functions and set the strategies for the organization. It is their responsibility to communicate strategy as well as results to employees. They also engage with the corporate officers in the strategic planning and development of the organization or enterprise.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior program operations manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "metrics," "project management," "program management," and "sr." Meanwhile, a general manager of operations has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "develop team," "financial statements," and "payroll." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
General managers of operations earn lower levels of education than senior program operations managers in general. They're 10.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior program operations managers in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Senior program operations manager vs. Manager, program management
A program management manager is an individual who guides project managers and oversees and coordinates an organization's projects, products, and other strategic initiatives. The day-to-day responsibilities of a program manager include planning the overall program, managing the program's budget and the main program documents, and defining the program governance. The requirements to qualify for the program manager position including possessing a good managerial, business, and problem-solving skills and possessing a bachelor's or master's degree in business, management, or a related field.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior program operations manager is likely to be skilled in "metrics," "program management," "sr," and "kpis," while a typical manager, program management is skilled in "oversight," "infrastructure," "customer service," and "management program."
Managers, program management earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $126,000. Senior program operations managers earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $123,807.managers, program management typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior program operations managers. Specifically, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior program operations manager vs. Senior manager
A senior manager is responsible for directing the overall efficiency of business operations. Senior managers monitor the performance of the staff, improve operational strategies, identify business opportunities, allocate budgets and resources, present reports to senior management, set goals to drive results on increasing the company's revenues and profitability. Senior managers must coordinate with various operations departments to maintain good feedback for the company, meeting client's expectations, and delivering the best results. They should have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle team members, as well as managing their needs and concerns.
Types of senior program operations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
