what is a programme manager?
A programme manager is responsible for operations in a company and progress towards its goals. Unlike working on a specific project in the company, you oversee all activities to ensure they run smoothly. You manage complex operations and ensure all interconnected parts work together to keep the business growing.
The programme manager role involves laying out the strategy for the organisational goals and managing the resources and people in the company. Hence, your job is to review production, come up with new projects and constantly develop new objectives to keep the business profitable.
programme manager job description
Since you focus on the company's vision, as a programme manager, you ensure all projects and activities contribute towards business success. You draw roadmaps with schedules and budgets and anticipate problems and complications that may occur. You collaborate with various teams within the organisations to ensure their projects are successful. For instance, you avail the necessary resources to product and project managers to speed the development of projects. With your bird's eye view of all aspects of the company, you can provide strategic guidance.
As a programme manager, you work for large organisations in a fast-paced industry dealing with interconnected projects. You will have various statistical tools and techniques at your disposal to assist with analysis and developing organisational goals.
Would working as a programme manager suit your leadership skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a programme manager role.
average salary of a programme manager
According to ONS, the average salary of a programme manager is £50,000 annually. When you are a junior programme manager, your compensation package starts at £38,968 per year. Senior programme managers make over £72,500 annually. Programme managers working in the private sector also receive multiple benefits, including bonuses and allowances.
In the public sector, programme managers manage teams tasked with providing public services and developing policies. According to National Careers, when you work for the government, your average salary per year ranges from £27,000 to £68,500.
what factors affect your salary as a programme manager?
A programme manager is part of the management. Hence, your earnings should reflect the responsibilities and complexity of your tasks. The scope of duties also requires high academic qualifications and experience levels. When you have additional certifications and years of experience, your earnings will be higher than programme managers joining the field.
Generally, only big companies that juggle interconnected projects and complex operations require programme managers. Since they have unlimited resources, your compensation package will be attractive. Improve your earnings by working for multinationals and private organisations since programme managers in the public sector earn less. The location also influences your compensation package due to the fluctuation of demand and cost of living. Large cities have better wages than smaller towns, and the salary reflects the standard of living in the region.
types of programme manager
As a programme manager, you can focus on serving internal and external teams or concentrate on the company's infrastructure and products.
- internal programme manager: your focus is on initiatives that improve the performance of the company teams. For instance, you can create programmes that enhance productivity and performance, like introducing information technology resources.
- external programme manager: you concentrate on projects that serve third-party partners and customers. Your job is to ensure business decisions don't have a negative impact on your clients. You also negotiate contracts and improve corporate social responsibility.
- products and services programme managers: as a programme manager, you are involved in product planning and coordinate product delivery as per the schedule. You also identify bottlenecks and develop ways to improve efficiency.
working as a programme manager
A programme manager role allows you to simultaneously supervise and coordinate various projects. You also improve the efficiency and performance of different teams by providing the necessary resources.
-
programme manager job description
Some of the daily tasks of a programme manager include:
- planning and designing the programme: your role involves developing a company's programme and identifying projects and activities involved in the programme. You also proactively monitor and manage the programme throughout its life cycle. That means you identify issues and initiate corrective action to resolve problems.
- programme governance: as a programme manager, you define programme controls, including processes, procedures and reporting involved in programme governance. When creating the governance framework, it is crucial to ensure it provides sufficient oversight to the management. Governance is the primary role of a programme manager since it ensures the complexities of the projects don't derail the programme and lead to losses.
- programme leadership: as a leader, you motivate and inspire various teams within an organisation. Your leadership role includes planning sessions, guiding project managers, communicating with multiple teams and reviewing and approving project plans. Since you are the point person for programme initiatives, you also liaise with the company's stakeholders.
- managing budgets and expenses: financial costs are significant when overseeing multiple projects simultaneously. Your job is to create or approve budgets for various projects and monitor expenses. You also work with senior finance officers to ensure the programme is on track. Sometimes, you have to conduct cost analyses and manage risk to avoid losses.
- programme execution: when you have a programme plan, you need to execute the plans to achieve the company goals and meet the long-term strategy. The execution phase involves creating a roadmap for various phases of the programme. You oversee procurement, training and risk management for all projects and track the performance of each project in comparison to the overall programme objectives.
-
work environment
As a programme manager, your work is office-based, remote, home based or hybrid. You will spend many hours planning meetings and communicating with various stakeholders. You also liaise with project managers and monitor the progress of projects. While you spend most of the day indoors, your office is well-ventilated with good lighting and essential furniture for a senior-level manager. If you are a programme manager for a company that deals in products, you have to visit the manufacturing section and other departments to ensure they are on track with the company goals. As a top-level manager, you need to dress professionally at all times.
-
who are your colleagues?
Depending on your industry, your colleagues may include project managers, team leaders and finance managers. Project managers help you coordinate individual projects of your programme while team leaders ensure workers complete their job on time. You may also work with contracts managers, production assistant role, product manager post, and other specialists, including lawyers, accountants and marketing managers.
-
work schedule
As a programme manager, you work a full-time schedule with a regular office routine of 9 am to 5 pm. Most times, your work will take up to 40 hours a week, but sometimes you attend meetings outside office hours or meet with clients for dinner or lunch. Part-time positions for programme managers are rare, but you can work on short-term contracts to complete a specific programme. Your role also involves a lot of travelling to meet with clients or negotiate contracts.
-
job outlook
Programme management is a promising career with exciting opportunities for career growth. You mainly work in large companies with complex operations to ensure the projects run smoothly. As a programme manager, you can work in the public sector and manage government programmes or the private sector, where you handle multiple projects that improve product development. Some programme managers also work in non-profit organisations. You can improve your skills and become the director of programme management or chief operations officer.
-
advantages of finding a programme manager job through randstad
Finding your programme manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a programme manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
A programme manager position is competitive, and you need exceptional educational qualifications. Programme management requires a four-year degree in project management or business administration. While a bachelor's degree can get you a job, you need a master's in business administration or project management and strategic planning to land a job.
Aside from university qualifications, you need project management certifications and experience as a project manager. That means you must be proficient in using project management tools and software to manage programmes effectively.
skills and competencies
Some of the soft skills of a programme manager include:
- resource management skills: as a programme manager, you need exceptional skills in allocating and identifying resources to ensure projects work as planned. That means you should have contingency plans that address risks and costs. For instance, you need backup plans if a contract falls through or the prices of materials increase at the beginning of a project.
- negotiation skills: programmes involve various moving parts, and you need to negotiate contracts with suppliers and work with project managers. As a programme manager, negotiation skills help you sell ideas and influence other people to work towards your goals.
- analytical skills: you need analytical skills to collect and integrate data from various programmes into your decision-making. Analytical skills also help you identify issues in the projects and find solutions.
- leadership skills: as a programme manager, you need leadership and project management skills to turn project plans into realities. You can identify people's strengths and weaknesses and assign tasks appropriately with leadership skills. You also motivate and inspire team members throughout the programmes.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a programme manager
-
what does a programme manager do?
A programme manager plans and executes various interconnected projects to grow the business and achieve strategic goals.
-
what is the difference between a programme manager and a project manager?
A programme manager juggles multiple projects that work towards a specific goal, while a project manager focuses on a single project, from inception to completion.
-
do programme managers get paid well?
Yes. A programme manager earns a lucrative salary and holds a managerial position. The compensation package ranges from £38,968 per year to £72,500 annually.
-
is programme manager a good career?
Yes. Programme management is an exciting career that allows you to participate in company growth.
-
is a programme manager higher than a project manager?
Yes. A programme manager is in charge of a group of project managers and oversees various operations.
-
how do I apply for a programme manager vacancy?
Applying for a programme manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
