Agile Program Manager Job Description: Salary, Responsibilities and more (2023)

Agile program managers are responsible for managing the development of software applications and other digital products. They 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 down into smaller parts and deliverables. This allows them to provide regular updates to stakeholders on project progress.

Duties of the Agile Program Manager Job

Agile program managers often have a wide range of responsibilities, which may include:

• Provide technical support to other departments such as sales or customer service as needed.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure they receive regular updates on project status.
• Attend scrums, standups, and other team meetings 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 can be added without adding additional time or cost to the project
• Review project plans created by managers or other stakeholders to ensure they are actionable
• Work with leadership to identify process improvement opportunities to reduce waste or inefficiency in workflows
• Identify risks that could affect project success and develop plans to mitigate those risks.
• Communicate changes to scope or requirements to staff and other stakeholders

Agile Program Manager Salary and Outlook

Salaries for agile program managers vary based on their level of education, years of experience, and company size and industry. They can also earn additional compensation in the form of a bonus.

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

The employment of agile program managers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

The demand for agile project management will continue to increase as organizations look to improve their efficiency and productivity. Agile project management allows organizations to respond 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 gain 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 an agile program manager to have an MBA. An MBA is a two-year program that includes coursework and a fundamental research project.

Training experience:Agile program managers often receive on-the-job training in the form of an onboarding period at their new company. During this period, they get to know the company's culture, processes and procedures. They 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 different aspects of an agile environment.

Agile Program Manager Skills

Agile program managers need the following skills to be successful:

Communication:Communication is the act of transferring information from one person to another. As an agile program manager, you use communication skills to convey information 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 measure your program's success.

Leadership: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 guide 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 component of an agile program manager's skill set. As an agile program manager, you may be responsible for managing multiple projects at once, so strong project management skills are important. Project management skills can include planning, organizing and directing a project from start to finish.

Problem solving: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 could include working with other team members to find solutions or finding 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 he can adjust his approach to a project as needed.

Agile Program Manager desktop

The agile program manager's work environment is constantly changing and evolving. As new software development methodologies and tools are created, 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 to the work environment. The agile program manager must also be able to work with a variety of different people, as the team members they work with often have different backgrounds and experience levels. This 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 how agile program managers work. Agile program managers will need to stay current on 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 succeed. This is 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 down into smaller pieces and efficiently organizing and managing those pieces. They must also be able to communicate effectively with team members and be able to handle changes as they arise during the project.

More focus on collaboration

The trend towards greater focus on collaboration is being driven by the need for companies to be more efficient and productive. To achieve this objective, they resort to agile methodologies, which favor teamwork and communication.

As Agile becomes more popular, Agile program managers will need to be adept at collaborative working methods. This includes things like creating a culture of openness and transparency, as well as 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) on their products. This is creating an increase in demand for QA professionals, who can ensure that products are free of bugs and other defects before they are released to the public.

Agile program managers can capitalize on this trend by becoming proficient in QA testing. By doing so, they can help their companies produce high-quality products that will keep customers happy and attract repeat business.

How to Become an Agile Program Manager

An agile program manager has a unique skill set that makes him ideal for this role. They 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 solutions to problems. They need to be able to generate new ideas and find ways to improve processes. And finally, they need to be able to manage their time effectively so they can stay on top of everything that needs to get done.

Progress prospects

The best way to advance your career as an Agile Program Manager is to continually improve your skills and knowledge. Keep up to date with the latest agile methods and tools, and look for opportunities to share your experience 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 take on a leadership role such as an 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, as well as experience working in an agile environment. He or she will be responsible for managing our Agile team, ensuring that all sprints are completed on time and within budget. Additionally, the Agile Program Manager will be responsible for tracking progress and communicating status updates to stakeholders.

Duties and responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and lead all agile program management activities
• Oversee multiple concurrent agile projects, programs and portfolios using 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 resolve impediments and risks that could affect delivery times or quality.
• Monitor and report on project progress, identifying issues and risks early and working 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 guide new agile professionals
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

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

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Master's Degree in Business, 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.
• Fluency in more than one language.