Why Every High-Performing Team Needs a Program Manager
“Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides a light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”
A Program Manager can be defined as someone that oversees and coordinates projects to help achieve a desired outcome. They are project owners: the glue holding together projects, people, communication, and timelines. These individuals ensure effectiveness, streamline efforts, bridge teams, and improve efficiency to achieve goals.
From the beginning, program managers set up the groundwork to reach a specific goal or complete a project. They document process, identify risks, create deadlines, and assign stakeholders. This upfront organizational work is crucial to ensure team alignment on the goal itself and the steps and resources to get there.
But their work doesn’t stop at planning. Project tracking and regular check-ins are part of the day-to-day operations of program managers. This is to ensure that deadlines are met, and when roadblocks arise, they find solutions that fit best.
One of the key advantages of this role is their position outside of functional teams. This gives them a bird’s-eye view of the entire project, allowing them to bridge the gap between stakeholders and act as both motivators and supporters. Connecting different teams and stakeholders ensures broad alignment and successful project execution. One of the key aspects of a program manager’s role is communication. They have the important responsibility of creating an environment that supports productivity and accountability throughout the project. Fostering an environment for constant, open dialogue is extremely important and often overlooked with a project. Regular check-ins set up and led by program managers ensure things are on track and provide stakeholders with a platform to get insight into other teams or voice concerns that they have.
At Rebel & Thorn, we understand the importance of having knowledgeable, dedicated program managers to drive overall campaign and client success. To support the January peak in travel booking globally, our client Skyscanner ramped up media presence in key markets by launching a series of campaigns in quick succession. Having a dedicated program manager allowed the successful planning, creative development, and launch of several simultaneous campaigns across the UK, Australia, Vancouver (local), as well as Canada (national). Without a project owner ensuring ongoing communication, tracking requirements, as well as project milestones/timelines, we would not have been able to launch so many campaigns during a historically challenging time of year (late December) or take advantage of this key selling period for our client.
Having program managers as dedicated resources ensures successful delivery of any project. Without this skillset, businesses and clients are at risk of inefficient use of resources, breakdown in communication, as well as unmotivated stakeholders ultimately creating difficulty in achieving business goals.
