What is a service program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Malissa Scheuring Leipold,

Dr. Daryl Green

A service program manager oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of service programs. They work in industries including healthcare, education, and social services. Service program managers develop strategies to improve service delivery and meet program goals. They collaborate with stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions. Additionally, they manage budgets, personnel, and resources for efficient operations. Service program managers possess strong leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills to effectively manage people and projects.

What general advice would you give to a service program manager?

Dr. Malissa Scheuring Leipold

Chair & Associate Professor, Iona College

General advice I would give to a graduate beginning their career is to take one day at a time. In my many years in education, I have always been able to map out a general plan of action to be implemented in the classroom, but the pandemic has changed everything. You need to be ready for the unexpected, and don't let it throw you. The field of education is never predictable, so the more comfortable one gets with uncertainty and being adaptable without being resentful or stubborn, the more you can embrace the beauty of changing children's lives for the better. I would also emphasize the importance of personal relationships. Reach out to those with whom you are working, call them by name, make it more than about work by asking how they are doing. Also, they should call parents on a consistent basis, especially when their child is doing well and simply say, "Hi, I am here for you and am with you in your desire to see your child succeed." This will go miles. Last, believe in yourself yet be selfless by always keeping the best interest of the students at heart and compassionate. If you do this, everything else will fall into place.

ScoreService Program ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.1

Avg. Salary $78,256

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.7

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.89%

Asian 5.19%

Black or African American 11.66%

Hispanic or Latino 14.58%

Unknown 5.40%

White 62.28%

Gender

female 52.65%

male 47.35%

Age - 45

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 - 45

Stress level

9.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a service program manager?

Pros

Potential for career growth and advancement within the company
Exposure to emerging technologies and trends in the industry
Opportunities for travel and networking with industry professionals
Flexibility in work schedule and location
Opportunity to work on challenging and rewarding projects

Cons

Risk of burnout due to high levels of responsibility and accountability
Tendency for projects to be complex and require significant problem-solving skills
Potential for conflicts within teams due to different perspectives or priorities
Need for adaptability and flexibility in a constantly changing environment
Risk of failure or negative feedback impacting personal reputation or company brand

Key steps to become a service program manager

Explore service program manager education requirements

Most common service program manager degrees

Bachelor's

65.6 %

Master's

21.3 %

Associate

8.7 %

Start to develop specific service program manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	10.37%
Program Management	8.11%
Veterans	6.77%
Customer Service	6.49%
Oversight	4.94%

Complete relevant service program manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service program managers 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 service program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service program manager resumes.

Research service program manager duties and responsibilities

Review SLA requirements, conduct pre-contract and/or on-boarding process review, and manage recruitment/hiring of PM/SME staff for multiple HRO towers.
Manage logistics and support multiple events and programs simultaneously.
Initiate and manage a volunteer corps which reduce payroll significantly.
Manage program coordinators processing development of customer supply art files and instruction, reducing production errors.

Prepare your service program manager resume

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

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