Agile Program Manager Job Description: Salary, Responsibilities & More (2023)

Agile program managers are responsible for managing the development of software applications and other digital products. You will work with a team of developers, designers, QA specialists, etc. to ensure projects stay on track and meet deadlines.

Agile PMs use an iterative approach to managing projects, which means they break large projects into smaller parts and deliverables. In this way, they can regularly update stakeholders on the progress of the project.

Agile Program Manager Responsibilities

Agile program managers typically have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Provide technical support to other departments such as sales or customer service when needed.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure they are regularly updated on the status of the project.
• Participate in scrums, standups, and other meetings with the team to provide status updates and answer questions about project decisions.
• Creating and managing user stories and acceptance criteria, including writing acceptance tests.
• Manage scope progress by identifying new features that could be added without adding additional time or cost to the project
• Review project plans created by managers or other stakeholders to ensure they are feasible
• Work with leadership to identify process improvement opportunities to reduce waste or inefficiencies in workflows
• Identify risks that could affect the success of the project and develop plans to mitigate those risks.
• Communicate changes in scope or requirements to the team and other interested parties

Agile Program Manager Salary and Outlook

Agile program manager salaries vary based on education level, years of experience, and company size and industry. You can also earn additional rewards in the form of bonuses.

• average annual salary:$125,000 ($60.1/hour)
• Annual salary of the top 10%:$375,000 ($180.29/hour)

Agile program manager employment is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

The demand for agile project management will continue to grow as companies seek to improve efficiency and productivity. Agile project management enables companies to react quickly to changes in the business environment, which is important in a competitive market.

Related: 20 Agile Program Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Agile Program Manager job requirements

There are a number of qualifications required to obtain a position as an agile program manager. They include:

Education:Most employers require an Agile program manager to have a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, management, or business administration. Some employers may also require that an agile program manager have an MBA. An MBA is a two-year program that includes courses and a final research project.

Training experience:Agile program managers typically receive on-the-job training in the form of an onboarding phase at their new company. During this time they get to know the culture, processes and procedures of the company. They will also learn about the software and tools they will use on a daily basis.

Certifications and Licenses:Agile program managers can earn a variety of certifications that demonstrate their expertise in various aspects of an agile environment.

Agile Program Manager Skills

Agile program managers need the following skills to be successful:

Communication:Communication is the transmission of information from one person to another. As an agile program manager, you use communication skills to get information across to your team, stakeholders, and customers. You use communication skills to explain the purpose of your program, the goals you set, and the methods you use to evaluate the success of your program.

Guide:Leadership skills can help you motivate your team and encourage them to work together to achieve goals. As an agile program manager, you may be responsible for leading a team of software developers or other professionals. Leadership can help you lead your team to success, and it can also help you develop your team's skills and abilities.

Project management:Project management skills are a necessary part of an Agile program manager's skillset. As an agile program manager, you may be responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, so strong project management skills are important. Project management skills can include planning, organizing, and directing a project from start to finish.

Troubleshooting:Problem solving is the ability to identify and solve problems. As an agile program manager, you may be responsible for identifying and resolving any issues that arise during product development. This may include collaborating with other team members to find solutions or find ways to improve the current process.

Adaptability:Agile program managers must adapt to changing circumstances and challenges. Agile processes are designed to be flexible and allow for changes to the original plan. This can help a program manager be more effective as they can adjust their approach to a project as needed.

Working environment for Agile Program Managers

The working environment of the agile program manager is constantly changing and evolving. As new software development methodologies and tools are developed, the agile program manager must be able to adapt and change over time. This means that the agile program manager must be able to learn new things quickly and apply them in the work environment. The agile program manager must also be able to work with a wide variety of people, as the team members they work with often have different backgrounds and levels of experience. It can be challenging, but it's also one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

Agile Program Manager-Trends

Here are three trends influencing the way agile program managers work. Agile program managers need to keep abreast of these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive edge in the workplace.

Agile teams need agile project managers

Agile teams need agile project managers to be successful. Because agile projects are often very complex and require a lot of planning and coordination.

Agile project managers can manage this complexity by breaking the project into smaller parts, and then organizing and managing those parts effectively. You must also be able to communicate effectively with team members and deal with changes that may arise as the project progresses.

More focus on collaboration

The trend toward an increased focus on collaboration is being driven by the need for organizations to be more efficient and productive. To achieve this goal, they resort to agile methods that emphasize teamwork and communication.

As agile becomes more popular, agile program managers need to be familiar with collaborative working methods. This includes things like creating a culture of openness and transparency, and facilitating effective communication between team members.

Greater emphasis on quality assurance

As the world becomes increasingly digital, companies are realizing the importance of Quality Assurance (QA) for their products. This leads to an increasing demand for quality control professionals who can ensure products are free from defects and other defects before they are released to the public.

Agile program managers can capitalize on this trend by being knowledgeable about QA testing. In this way, they can help their companies produce high-quality products that make customers happy and attract new business.

How to become an agile program manager

An agile program manager has unique skills that make them ideal for this role. You need to be able to see the big picture and understand how all the pieces of a project fit together. They must also be able to work with teams from different departments, so they must have excellent communication skills.

An agile program manager must also be able to think creatively about problem solving. You must be able to generate new ideas and find ways to improve processes. Finally, they need to be able to manage their time effectively so they can stay on top of everything that needs to be done.

prospects for advancement

The best way to advance your career as an Agile program manager is to continuously improve your skills and knowledge. Keep up to date with the latest agile methodologies and tools and look for opportunities to share your experiences with others. As you gain experience, you will be able to take on larger and more complex projects. You may also have the opportunity to move into a managerial role, e.g. B. as Agile Coach or Scrum Master.

Sample Agile Program Manager job description

At [CompanyX] we are looking for a trained and experienced Agile Program Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of our agile software development process. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of agile principles and practices and experience working in an agile environment. He or she is responsible for leading our Agile team and ensuring that all sprints are completed on time and on budget. In addition, the Agile Program Manager is responsible for tracking progress and communicating status updates to stakeholders.

duties and responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and leader for all agile program management activities
• Oversee multiple concurrent agile projects, programs and portfolios with a servant leadership style and coaching approach
• Work with project teams to ensure successful adoption and implementation of agile practices, tools, and techniques.
• Facilitate streamlined ceremonies like sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and demos
• Help remove roadblocks and risks that could impact delivery times or quality.
• Monitor and report on project progress, identify issues and risks early, and work with the team to mitigate them
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures related to project management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by sharing best practices and lessons learned across the organization
• Collaborate with other agile coaches and program managers to promote agility at scale
• Support the transition to Agile for new projects and programs.
• Train and mentor new agile professionals
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business administration, administration or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in a program/project management role, with at least 5 years in an Agile environment
• Proven track record of successfully executing projects using agile methodologies
• Strong understanding of software development processes and life cycles.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration, management or related fields
• 15+ years of experience in a program/project management role, with at least 10 years in an Agile environment
• PMP, CSM or similar certification
• Experience working in a global organization.
• Mastery of more than one language.