Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Education Program Manager

🎯 Role Definition

As an Education Program Manager, you are the architect and driver of our learning initiatives. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of our educational programs, from strategic conception to successful implementation and continuous improvement. This role demands a blend of creativity in instructional design, precision in project management, and a passion for fostering growth and knowledge. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage budgets and resources, and use data to measure impact, ensuring our programs not only meet but exceed the needs of our learners and align with our organization's strategic objectives. This role requires a dynamic leader who can inspire a team, build strong partnerships, and scale our educational offerings to new heights.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Instructional Designer
Senior Teacher / Lead Educator
Corporate Trainer
Project Coordinator (Education/Non-Profit)

Advancement To:

Senior Education Program Manager
Director of Education / Director of Learning & Development
Head of Academic Programs
Chief Learning Officer

Lateral Moves:

Learning and Development (L&D) Manager
Product Manager, Education Technology
Community Engagement Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee the entire program lifecycle, from initial conception and strategic planning through to execution, evaluation, and iteration, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and learner needs.
Design, develop, and continuously refine comprehensive and engaging curricula, learning materials, and instructional content for various delivery formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid models.
Establish and manage strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders (e.g., subject matter experts, marketing, sales) and external organizations (e.g., schools, universities, corporate clients, community groups) to enhance program reach and impact.
Lead the logistical planning and execution of all program activities, including scheduling, venue coordination, technology setup, and materials distribution to ensure a seamless and high-quality learning experience.
Develop and manage the program budget with a high degree of accuracy, including forecasting expenses, tracking spending against targets, and identifying opportunities for cost-efficiency while maintaining program quality.
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement robust evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness, learner satisfaction, and return on investment (ROI), using data to drive continuous improvement.
Recruit, onboard, train, and manage a team of instructors, facilitators, coordinators, and volunteers, providing ongoing coaching and professional development to ensure high-quality instruction and team performance.
Serve as the primary point of contact for program participants, addressing inquiries, providing support, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative learning community.
Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop and execute compelling promotional strategies, campaigns, and collateral to drive program enrollment and build brand awareness.
Manage the selection, implementation, and administration of learning technologies, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS) and virtual classroom tools, to support program delivery and enhance the learner experience.
Conduct regular needs assessments and market research to identify emerging educational trends, learner pain points, and opportunities for new, innovative program development.
Prepare and present detailed, insightful reports on program status, key metrics, outcomes, and impact to senior leadership, board members, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure all educational programs, materials, and delivery methods comply with relevant industry standards, accreditation requirements, accessibility guidelines (WCAG), and legal regulations.
Facilitate high-impact workshops, training sessions, or webinars as a subject matter expert when required, modeling best practices in adult learning theory, instruction, and learner engagement.
Develop and document scalable systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and processes to support program growth and expansion into new markets or audience segments with consistency and quality.

Secondary Functions

Support grant writing and fundraising efforts by providing compelling program data, qualitative narratives, and detailed budgetary information.
Manage relationships with external vendors, suppliers, and consultants, overseeing contract negotiation, service level agreements (SLAs), and performance to ensure value and quality.
Contribute to the development of the organization's broader educational strategy and long-term vision by providing insights from the program level.
Represent the organization at professional conferences, industry events, and networking functions to promote programs and establish the organization as a thought leader.
Pilot new instructional methods, innovative technologies, and alternative program formats to foster a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement within the learning ecosystem.
Create and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base and resource library for program facilitators, staff, and participants.
Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members, such as program coordinators or assistants, fostering their professional growth and development within the organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

LMS Administration: Proficiency in managing and administering Learning Management Systems such as Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, or Docebo.
Project Management Software: Expertise in using tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Smartsheet to manage complex project timelines, resources, and deliverables.
Curriculum Development: Deep understanding of instructional design principles and models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM, Bloom's Taxonomy).
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze program data and create insightful reports using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
Budget Management: Experience with financial forecasting, budget creation, and expense tracking.
Content Authoring Tools: Familiarity with e-learning development software such as Articulate Storyline, Rise 360, or Camtasia.
CRM Systems: Experience using Customer Relationship Management software (e.g., Salesforce) for participant tracking and communication.

Soft Skills

Strategic Planning: The ability to develop long-term vision and translate strategic goals into actionable program plans.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with diverse internal and external partners.
Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to different audiences.
Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team of educators and support staff.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying challenges, analyzing root causes, and implementing effective solutions.
Public Speaking & Facilitation: Confident and engaging presenter capable of leading training sessions and speaking at public events.
Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic environment, able to pivot priorities and manage change effectively without sacrificing quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree (M.Ed., M.A., MBA, or MPA)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education or Adult Learning
Instructional Design or Educational Technology
Business Administration or Public Administration
Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-8 years of progressive experience in program management, education, or a related field.

Preferred:

Direct experience managing the full lifecycle of large-scale educational or training programs.
A proven track record of using data to inform program design and demonstrate impact.
Experience managing budgets in excess of $100,000.
Prior experience working in the specific industry of the hiring organization (e.g., tech, healthcare, non-profit, higher education).