What Is a Programme Manager? And How to Become One

Programme managers are communicative and reliable professionals who direct programmes that may include multiple projects and moving parts. Programme managers are organised, strategic, and motivational leaders who work in a variety of industries, from business to government to non-profit.

People who want to become programme managers are attracted to the challenge and reward of overseeing a programme from start to finish. Programmes are typically long-term and consist of multiple projects. 

What is a programme manager? 

A programme manager oversees the coordination and monitoring of projects and the employees that run them. In this role, you lead programmes from start to finish to help companies meet organisational goals. Programmes may consist of several projects, but they can also be ongoing. Programme managers develop strategies, evaluate the performance of project teams, keep teams organised, and allocate budgets and resources across projects.

As a programme managers, you may oversee several different teams, all working towards different goals and separate work schedules. You are in charge of tracking project progress, aligning project managers, and strategising programme outcomes.

Your specific duties as a programme manager will depend on your workplace. For instance, you might oversee the development of a new product. In that case, a you would identify customer needs, research the market, and facilitate the design and manufacturing of the product. At another company, you might be responsible for equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within an organisation. This could involve revamping the company's existing mission and developing a system for employee feedback.

What is a programme?

Because a "programme" can mean something different across industries, a few examples of a programme might look like the following:

• Product launch

• Non-profit fundraising initiative

• Shop opening

• EDI initiative

• Marketing plan

• Improving customer service

What does a programme manager do?

Your duties as a programme manager vary according to the specific workplace and industry you work in. Some of the common responsibilities for programme managers include:

• Identifying organisational needs and objectives

• Creating and maintaining a programme budget

• Conducting programme risk assessment

• Assigning and supervising a team

• Collaborating with various department leads

• Monitoring and evaluating a programme's success

• Delivering progress reports and presentations

Programme vs. project management: What's the difference?

A project manager is in charge of a specific project within an organisation, while a programme manager is responsible for achieving broader strategic goals and objectives. A programme manager might be in charge of a large project or several small-scale projects. Projects usually have specific deadlines, but the end dates for programmes may be more flexible, or there may be no end date at all if it is an ongoing programme or initiative.

Skills needed for programme managers

Programme management involves coordination, supervision, strategic planning, and more. Because this is such an active job, programme managers have a variety of responsibilities and need to be ready to lead and engage with teams and stakeholders. Key skills include:

• Creative thinking

• Leadership

• Collaboration

• Analytical thinking

• Strategic thinking

• Oral and written communication skills

• Organisational skills

• Customer service

• Conflict resolution

• Negotiation skills

• Ability to work well under pressure

Programme manager salary 

According to Glassdoor, as a programme manager, you can expect to earn an average annual base salary of about £55,731 per year. With additional compensation packages, you may earn and average of £62,194 per year when factoring in additional pay in the form of commission, cash bonuses, profit sharing, and tips [1]. 

Glassdoor also reports that the annual base range salary for this profession can be anywhere from £43,000 to £72,000 per year [1].

These salaries point to programme managers as a promising career. Depending on the size of the company you work for and the industry in which you work, your salary can trend upward.   

Industries where programme managers work

Programme managers are needed in a variety of industries, from retail and tech to healthcare and finance. In addition to the private sector, government agencies and non-profit organisations also need programme managers. The skills you'll learn as a programme manager are transferable across industries and job roles.

How to become a programme manager

To become a programme manager, you'll typically need to meet the educational qualifications of a bachelor’s (and in some cases a master’s) degree, gain industry certification, build the skills, and gain the professional experience necessary to work in this managerial role. 

While you might take a variety of paths to become a programme manager, these steps are a guide to a more conventional career path. 

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. 

If you're considering a career as a programme manager, it helps to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration or project management. In some cases, you may need a master’s degree in a field such as business administration. 

Although employers in some industries require degrees in specific areas like engineering or environmental science, good general fields of study include:

• Business administration

• Business management

• Communications and media

• Computer science

• Finance

• Marketing

2. Earn a certification or professional certificate.

Professional certificates and certifications offer the knowledge you need to start your career or switch from another one if you already have a bachelor's degree. Project management and programme management certifications also help give you an added advantage as it can be a competitive field. Consider these potential programme management certifications and professional certificates:

• Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Certification: This certification programme consists of two levels of certification. MSP Foundation is an entry-level certification that introduces the principles of programme management. MSP Practitioner certification builds on the Foundation level, focusing on the application of MSP® principles to real-world scenarios. 

Prepare to take a series of in-person or online courses and pass a series of course-based exams. You must pass the certification exam for the foundation course before moving to the practitioner courses and certification exam.

• Programme Management Professional (PgMP): Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this certification is designed for professionals managing multiple, complex projects to achieve strategic objectives. 

The PgMP has two forms of assessment: a written panel review and an exam. To take the required exam, you must first complete an application, meet qualifications, and complete the Panel Review Assessment. Prior qualifications to apply include a four-year degree with four years of project management experience or the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI. You may also qualify with a high school diploma with four years of project management experience or the PMP or seven years of project management experience within the last 15 years. 

• Google Project Management Professional Certificate: Many cross-over skills exist between project management and programme management. Knowing how to manage a project and lead teams to complete or implement a programme according to target goals requires practically the same skill set. You can gain essential project management knowledge by earning the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

3. Gain work experience.

Many programme managers start as project managers. You may want to get started this way and move your way up. Ideas for gaining project management experience include:

• Volunteering to manage community projects like fundraising events or cleanup days

• Applying for an internship as a project management assistant

• Looking for opportunities to serve on nonprofit boards in your community

• Asking to sit in on project management meetings at work

• Launching your own small projects at work, like a before-work yoga class or walking club

• Taking on or leading new initiatives on your current team at work

Expand your network

Networking is a great way to connect with people in an industry or role that you admire and want to work in. Building relationships and cultivating a network of individuals to whom you can turn for informational interviews or even find a mentor is time well spent.

4. Consider pursuing an advanced degree.

If you're hoping to move swiftly up the career ladder in programme management, an advanced degree might help. You may want to consider an MSc in project management. 

Start learning programme management today

Consider enrolling in an online course to start your career journey in programme management. Learn about the basics, build key skills, and gain helpful credentials that look great on your CV when you’re ready to apply for jobs. 

Take a project management course to get a better feel for programme management. Along with the Google Project Management Professional Certificate offered by Google on Coursera, the University of Virginia offers Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management, a short eight-hour course that explains how to plan and run projects effectively.