Program managers think strategically about how many different types of initiatives should be managed and coordinated.

Who are program managers?

Program managers coordinate multiple projects and ensure that various teams are aligned. While this looks different depending on the organizations, program managers are typically in charge of multiple, complex, cross-functional and dynamic initiatives. They supervise cross-functional teams and ensure that projects latter up to overall company objectives. They are usually part of a formal project management office (PMO), a group that helps to standardize processes and improve efficiency, but now increasingly report into other business units, such as IT or marketing.

Program managers are often heavily involved in the product planning and development process. They're focused on scheduling phases of work, managing dependencies, identifying bottlenecks to delivery, and recommending process changes to drive efficiency.

Example responsibilities may include...

• Organize and track jobs, clarify project scopes, proactively manage risks, manage project escalations, ruthlessly prioritize tasks, and problem-solve
• Meet specific business objectives
• Support roadmap-planning process
• Develop strategies and implement tactics to follow through on those strategies
• Solve complex business problems within allocated time & budget
• Represent company management to technical teams, and vice-versa
• Influence others across the company to remain focused on desired outcomes without direct authority

Examples of program manager projects

• The consolidation of a tech stack catalog after a corporate merger
• Managing the introduction of GDPR
• Coordinating delivery across multiple product relaases

Distinctions in program management