Program manager jobs are considered quite tough to land, especially in tier 1 cities, but it’s definitely possible. While tier 1 cities offer jobs with very high pay and demand in the market. However, the competition for program manager jobs is very high.
Although there are 500+ openings on LinkedIn and other job sites, it becomes tough to secure those jobs due to rising competition, detailed interview rounds, and the strict requirements set by top companies.
In this comprehensive blog, you will get to know everything from the program manager job description to program manager jobs in top cities, with tips to land those jobs.
Program Manager Job Description
A program manager has certain criteria to meet and a bunch of responsibilities to handle. In a program manager job description, all things like the qualifications required, experience level, skills, roles, and responsibilities are mentioned in a structured and detailed way. Here’s a basic program manager job description,
Key responsibilities and duties
- Develop and implement a strategy for the program team.
- Identify and understand program objectives.
- Manage resources covering all projects within the program.
- Document the program.
- Help to ensure collaboration among project teams.
- Resolve problems and delays in the program.
- Monitor program activities.
- Supervise the activities related to the program to ensure the program reaches its goals.
- Coordinate interrelated projects that are part of the program.
- Report on program performance
Qualifications and required skills
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, management, or any related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 5 to 15+ years of experience in project/program management, experience in managing multiple related projects rather than single projects.
- Certifications: Preferred certifications like PMP (project management professional), PgMP certification (program management professional )
Skills required:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Stakeholder management
- Negotiation
- Team management
- Documentation
- Reporting
- Risk Management
- Budgeting
- Proficiency in project management software (Jira, Microsoft Project, Trello, Asana)
For a more accurate and detailed program manager job description, we suggest you go through the specific company job description on LinkedIn or Naukari.com.
Now, let’s understand program manager jobs in tier one cities, starting from Bangalore.
Program Manager Jobs In Bangalore
Program manager jobs in Bangalore are growing at a very high rate, particularly in the IT sector and startups. Where the average salary is approximately ₹23.4 lakh to ₹34.4 lakh per year. In this section, we will mention the top 3 companies in Bangalore that are looking for program managers.
(Salary Source: Ambition Box)
Top firms for Program Manager Jobs in Bangalore
We have made a list of the top 3 program manager jobs in Bangalore, with high salaries and top ratings.
1) Google
Google in Bangalore is an excellent high-paying career choice for program managers, but it requires you to be able to handle high pressure and complex organizational politics. While delivering your priorities. While the compensation at Google is high, you need to be prepared for multi-round interviews.
Program manager salary at Google
₹29.6L/yr-₹41.1L/yr with 2 to 15 years of experience
2) Microsoft
In Bangalore, program managers at Microsoft generally experience a more growth-oriented and stable work environment. The company mostly works on high-end projects like AI. Also, the roles are highly collaborative and involve partnership with other teams. Microsoft also offers a good work-life balance.
Program manager salary at Microsoft
₹35.4L/yr to ₹39.3L/yr with 3 to 15 years of experience
3) Amazon
Amazon in Bangalore is considered a great place if you want to fast-track your career in program management, especially for those who know how to manage high-pressure and analytical environments.
Program manager salary at Amazon
₹19.2L/yr to ₹21.3L/yr with 1 to 12 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambition Box)
Program Manager Jobs In Hyderabad
Program manager jobs are really at their peak in Hyderabad, including top companies like Microsoft. There are several top companies looking for program managers that meet their expectations and criteria. Many program managers in Hyderabad are well compensated, with top earners making over ₹59.4 lakhs per year.
(Salary source: 6figr.com)
Top firms for Program Manager Jobs in Hyderabad
1) Deloitte
Program manager jobs at Deloitte in Hyderabad need approximately 6 to 18 years of experience in consulting or other IT-related environments. The work moves at a very fast pace and is often challenging to manage on a large scale, plus complex programs.
Program manager salary at Deloitte
₹29.8L/yr to ₹32.9L/yr with 7 to 10 years of experience
2) Cognizant
At Cognizant in Hyderabad, program manager roles majorly involve supervising complex and cross-functional programs. Getting into Cognizant is a bit challenging because the interview process is considered moderately difficult. But it is a great place for program managers to grow.
Program manager salary at Cognizant
₹26.6L/yr to ₹29.4L/yr with 10 to 23 years of experience.
3) Wipro
Being a program manager at Wipro in Hyderabad is generally considered a good place to learn new technologies and have a decent work-life balance. Though it can be a bit challenging sometimes, as some reviews say that the upper management is lacking.
Program manager salary at Wipro
₹22.9L/yr to ₹25.3L/yr with 11 to 24 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambition Box)
Program Manager Jobs In Chennai
Program manager jobs are very high in demand in Chennai, due to its growth in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. There are many openings for roles like technical program managers and senior managers, with decent salaries. The average salary for program managers in Chennai is around ₹25.4 lakh per annum.
(Salary source: Indeed)
Top firms for Program Manager Jobs in Chennai
1) Accenture
Accenture is considered a strong choice for program managers in Chennai because of its different processes. Accenture also provides opportunities to manage complex projects and programs and has strong career growth prospects, with high and competitive compensation.
Program manager salary at Accenture
₹28.1L/yr to ₹31.1L/yr with 6 to 22 years of experience
2) Capgemini
As a major multinational IT company, Capgemini offers various opportunities to manage large-scale projects that give you high visibility and exposure to complex projects. It is considered a strong choice for program managers in Chennai, as many professionals have rated it 4.2 out of 5 for its work culture.
Program manager salary at Capgemini
₹34.9L/yr to ₹38.5L/yr with 13 to 24 years of experience
3) Zoho Corporation
Zoho is a very flexible and great place to learn for program managers, as it allows managers to experiment and grow within the organization. Employees have many benefits and are offered fast-paced career growth, especially in a major IT hub like Chennai. So if you are an IT program manager, Zoho is a great choice in Chennai.
Program manager salary at Zoho
₹11.1L/yr to ₹14.9L/yr with 3 to 4 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambition Box)
Program Manager Jobs in Mumbai
Program manager jobs in Mumbai are very popular after project management; it has nearly 1,000+ active openings posted recently, especially in sectors like IT and banking. Mumbai also provides competitive salaries ranging from ₹11 to 32 lakhs annually. And it is a plus point if you know AI and are used to AI automation.
(LinkedIn – Active openings for program manager jobs in Mumbai )
(Salary source: Naukari.com)
Top firms for Program Manager Jobs in Mumbai
1) Apple
Working for Apple in Mumbai as a program manager is viewed as something very reputable, as it is a global company with career development opportunities. The salaries are very competitive for senior-level roles for program managers. They also require program managers with strong communication and team leadership skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Program Manager Salary at Apple
₹19.7L/yr to ₹28.9L/yr with 6 to 15 years of experience
2) Tata Consultancy Services
TCS is a well-established global company with high job security. And having job security is what employees often look for. As TCS is a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) company, it has multiple domains to work in, which helps you gain experience across different domains.
Program Manager Salary at TCS
₹20.3L/yr to ₹22.4L/yr with 9 to 12+ years of experience.
3) J.P. Morgan Chase
J.P. Morgan Chase in Mumbai is a high-paying employer for program managers. The firm is rated 4.0 out of 5 for its work culture, with strong career growth and benefits. Majorly, JP Morgan looks for professionals with project management, IT program management, and strong stakeholder management skills.
Program Manager Salary at J.P. Morgan Chase
₹16.9L/yr to ₹24.3L/yr with 7 to 15 years of experience
(Salary Source: Ambition Box)
Tips For Landing A Program Manager Job
It is important to be prepared for a program manager’s job in top companies. Although the companies may seem exciting, it is also challenging to gain entry into them.
1) Hone Your Program Manager Skills
Honing your skills as a program manager is really crucial to landing a job. Because the role is more than just supervising a project, it’s more focused on strategic leadership and AI automation now. Knowing how to automate repetitive workflows with tools like Jira has become non negotiable skill.
2) Earn Relevant Certifications
Many large organizations and government roles expect you to mandatorily have certifications like PMP or PgMP certifications, it is better if you have certifications that show your expertise and relevance.
3) Build A strong Portfolio
Having a strong portfolio for you to get into a program manager job is crucial. When you document your work and achievements in a portfolio, it shows more than a theoretical list of skills. A portfolio provides visual proof of your ability to manage complex and interrelated projects.
4) Tailor your resume
Always tailor your program manager resume according to the job role and company you are applying for. Many top companies have applicant tracking systems (ATS) which helps them to filter out resumes. That’s why it is important to include keywords from the job description.
5) Prepare for Your Interview
Preparing for a program manager interview is crucial because of the roles and requirements. Companies expect a unique combination of strategic thinking and complex organizational skills with the ability to lead teams and projects without any formal authority.
Conclusion
If you have 5+ years of experience in managing projects with strong leadership skills, and are looking for high-income program manager jobs. Pursuing a program manager role in Indian tier one cities is a very strategic move. Top companies and tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Google), IT services (TCS, Infosys, Accenture, Capgemini), and banks (JP Morgan, ICICI) are hiring talented program managers.
Getting into top companies might seem challenging, but upgrading yourself with the upcoming trends.
FAQS About Program Manager Jobs
These are a few frequently asked questions about program manager jobs on the internet. We have put together these questions and answered them for you; we hope these clear your doubts.
What are the biggest challenges in program management?
The biggest challenge in program management is managing complexity and aligning multiple, interrelated projects with strategic business goals, and being able to manage scope creep.
What are interview questions for a program manager?
Majorly for program manager interview questions, there are many behavioral questions, and they expect you to give your actual experience in handling projects and programs in general, or with challenges like dealing with difficult team members.
What are the top 3 skills of a program manager?
In program management, there is no “hierarchy” as such in terms of skills. All the skills are crucial and valuable for a program manager. All the skills collectively help program managers in handling multiple interconnected projects and project teams.
Here are some top skills of a program manager.
- Leadership skills
- Strategic thinking
- Communication skills
What makes a program manager successful?
To be successful is not only to have a program manager job in a top-tier company but also to be able to lead teams in the right direction while handling risks, managing team disputes, and achieving your organizational goals.
