Leadership role

Program Manager

Plans, coordinates and manages the delivery of one or more of an organization's programs or services.

Reporting and scope

Reports to a Director of Programs or Chief Program Officer. Authority covers one or more programs, including their staff and budgets.

Core responsibilities

  • Plans program activities and sets targets
  • Supervises program staff and volunteers
  • Manages program budgets and grant deliverables
  • Collects outcome data and prepares funder reports
  • Builds partnerships with community groups and agencies
  • Keeps services in line with contract and licensing rules

How it differs

The Director of Programs oversees the full program portfolio, while the Program Manager runs specific programs. A Project Director leads time-limited projects. The Operations Manager focuses on logistics rather than program design.

By organization size

In small organizations the Program Manager may be the senior program staff member. In large agencies there are many program managers under program directors.

Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Program Manager; Senior Program Manager; Sr Program Manager; Sr. Program Manager; Clinical Program Manager; Assistant Program Manager

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