The responsibilities of a program manager are about as versatile as they get, extending from administration and finances to people management and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
The role is not to be confused with that of a project manager, which typically oversees individual initiatives with clear deliverables, budgets, and timelines. A program manager, on the other hand, manages a broader portfolio of projects that together contribute to overarching strategic goals. Program managers also engage with higher-level stakeholders and often influence policy and organizational direction.
With such board functions, what should you be thinking about if you’re interested in eventually becoming one?