Program Manager Resume Examples to Land a Job in 2024

A program manager who hasn’t done the exact job the company needs will not get hired. Program managers make $88K a year on average. If the company hires wrong, it’ll cost them $26K to $38K.

But don’t worry—With the right skills and keywords in your program manager resume, you’ll fit the job like a Jira project.

In this guide:

• A program manager resume sample better than most.
• How to write a resume for program manager jobs that puts you in the lead.
• How to make a professional program manager job description for resumes.
• Why you can’t just list program manager skills (and what to do instead).

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Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples to Land Any Job.

Program Manager Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a program manager resume:

1. Select the Best Program Manager Resume Format

Show you meet acceptance criteria at a glance. The format of your resume is critical. Use the reverse-chronological format so the hiring team can’t miss your relevant achievements.

Program Manager Resume Format

• Use one-inch margins and a 1-page resume.
• Add white space for legibility.
• Write with a resume font like 10–12pt Times New Roman or Calibri.
• Make resume sections like Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Save it in the PDF format. PDF resume layouts stay agile across all devices.

Expert Hint: The average bad hire costs 30% of employee salary. To overcome company fears, craft the most professional-looking program manager resume you can.

2. Write a Program Manager Resume Objective or Summary

 

You could convince them if you had ten minutes.

You don’t. You have about 7 seconds before they ditch you for the next applicant. That’s why a resume for program manager jobs needs a resume summary or resume objective. That’s a quick paragraph that makes them care.

Add:

1. An adjective (productive, efficient)
2. “program manager”
3. Years of experience (2+, 6+)
4. How & who you want to help (slash costs at Young-Bunvalds Inc.)
5. Best program manager moments (led 15 cross-functional teams...)
6. Some key job skills (leadership, program scheduling...)

Make it easy by writing it last. These technical program manager resume examples outline the plan:

Program Manager Resume Summary—Example

Productive program manager and PgMP with 6+ years of experience. Seeking to slash costs and raise quality at Young-Bunvalds Inc. At Exanential Global, led 15 cross-functional teams in global firm with $20B in revenue. Created program schedules that ensured 95% of projects were on-time and 98% were under budget.

Experienced program manager, skilled in Agile, Scrum, and program scheduling. Have established a reputation for business process improvement. Proven track record of achievement leading high-level global programs that drive growth and transformation through digital disruption.

Both samples reference leadership and program scheduling. But one adds $20B, 15 teams, 95% on-time, and other telling metrics.

Do the same thing with an entry-level resume for program managers. See this entry-level program manager resume sample:

Entry-Level Program Manager Resume Objective

Efficient program manager with skills in Agile and program scheduling. Seeking to improve the bottom line at Exanential Global. As project manager at Aamodt-Bilz Manufacturing, led 5 IT specialists for firm with $15M in revenue. Upgraded 180 workstations to Windows 10. Raised process efficiency 20% by developing scalable ERP system.

Entry-level program manager. Have not yet held a program manager title, but have worked as a project manager for 2 years. Skilled in upgrading IT systems and developing custom ERP software.

The second of those entry-level program manager assistant resume examples lists upgrading and developing. The first shows proof.

Expert Hint: Program managers have a massive salary range from $57K–$127K. To hit the high end, your IT program manager resume must show you match the opening.

3. Write a Solid Program Manager Job Description and Skills Section

75% of resumes never reach a human. To get past the hiring software, your resume for program manager jobs needs keywords.

Use them the right way. Then when you do get to a person, you’ll turn heads. In other words, target your resume.

To write a program manager job description for resumes:

1. Search for resume skills in the job ad.
2. Write down the most important. They’re your resume keywords.
3. Don’t just toss them into your resume. Show you used them to get bottom line results.

Follow the first of these senior program manager resume samples:

Pretend the job ad wants these program management skills: program scheduling, developing custom software, employee training.

Program Manager Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Experience

IT Program Manager

Exanential Global, Inc.

2015–2019

• Led 15 cross-functional teams in global business with $20B in revenue.
• Created and managed program schedules, ensuring 95% of project milestones were on-time and 98% were under-budget.
• Developed custom CRM software to improve project performance to client goals. Raised client satisfaction 20% and repeat business 15%.
• Developed Improvements Kata employee training system that achieved 24% increase in productivity business-wide. System reached 93% employee buy-in.

• Led cross-functional teams in global business.
• Managed teams to business objectives. Assigned to ensure project milestones were completed on-time while meeting budgets.
• Responsible for implementing new proprietary CRM software to improve project performance to client goals.
• Developed Improvements Kata system to improve productivity. Tasked with ensuring high buy-in for the project..
• Coached project coordinators in process policies.

The first of those IT program manager resume examples adds keywords like schedule, develop, and train. But it also uses 15, $20B, 95%, and other numbers to show size.

Now—What about an entry-level resume? Pretend the job ad wants these program manager skills: leadership, upgrading workstations, developing custom ERP systems.

If you’re entry-level, you’ve never been a program manager. But—You’ve used the skills:

Entry-Level Program Manager Resume Job Description [Sample]

IT Project Manager

Aamodt-Bilz Manufacturing

2013–2015

• Led 18 IT specialists in manufacturing business with $15M revenue.
• Upgraded 180 workstations to Windows 10, achieving zero downtime. Created automated file transfer process, saving 150 labor hours and $12,000.
• Developed custom ERP system, raising process efficiency 20%.

• Performed all project manager duties in busy manufacturing business.
• Upgraded employees to Windows 10. Created automated file transfer process.
• Developed scalable ERP system to raise process efficiency.

That first sample shows you’ve done what they need. Want to see it fail? Just take out the key skills and numbers.

What program manager skills work best? Use this list:

Program Manager Skills for Resumes 

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Supervising Programs	Interpersonal Skills
Training	Communication
Recruiting	Collaboration
Program Scheduling	Problem Solving
Agile & Scrum	Leadership
Vendor Management	Empathy
Project Management	Time Management
Business Process Improvement	Analytical Thinking
IT and Technical Skills	Critical Thinking
Leading Cross-Functional Teams	Organization

Expert Hint: You may need to show Gantt chart skills in your program manager resume. If the job ad mentions them, a quick Gantt training course can help.

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4. Show Competence With Education

Most program managers need at least a bachelor’s degree. But your education resume section can’t be a dummy activity. Add details to get the right attention.

This technical program manager resume sample shows how:

Program Manager Resume Example—Education

Education 

Project Management Institute, 2013

• Earned PgMP
• Pursued a passion for Agile coursework.
• Recognized by professor for program scheduling skills.

BS Computer Science, Towson University

2008–2012

• Received the Alameda Student Award for program management study.
• Assisted with management of program to update dining facility IT system.

If the job ad wants skills in Agile, program scheduling, and IT, you’re in.

5. Add “Extra” Sections to Your Program Manager Resume

To get hired, show you’re different in a good way. Add a couple of these “extra” sections:

• Associations (PMI, AMA)
• Conferences (especially if you volunteered or spoke)
• Publications or media appearances
• Certifications (PgMP, PfMP, etc.)
• Groups
• Volunteering work
• Freelancing work
• Foreign languages
• Additional activities
• Fitness

This sample resume for a non profit program manager earns the value:

Program Manager Resume—Extra Sections

Certifications

• PgMP—PMI
• Project+—CompTIA

Conferences

• 2019 — Resource Planning Summit — gave talk about vendor management.
• 2017 — Change Management Conference

Additional Activities

• Member, PMI
• Volunteer IT program manager for local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
• Regularly contribute articles on tech to Yodiz Project Management Blog.

Additional Activities

• Attending PM conferences.
• Hunting.

One more thing—Put key certifications like PgMP up top.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter. Your resume for program manager jobs will get more TLC. Why? Most hiring executives do read those letters. Almost half require them.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Haven't written a cover letter yet? See these related guides:

• Project Manager Cover Letter

Key Points

Here’s how to write a program manager resume:

• Use the program manager resume template up top. It stands out by showing your past fits into the job.
• Search for resume keywords and skills in the program manager job description.
• Put the skills they ask for in your bullet points. Add numbers to hold up a yardstick to your talents.
• Add “extra” resume sections that show passion for program management outside working hours.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for program manager jobs? Not sure how to put program manager on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply! 

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