What Do Learning Program Managers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for learning program managers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what learning program managers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Learning Program Managers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about learning program managers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Learning Program Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Popular Job Titles For Learning Program Managers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Learning and Development Managers
- Training Managers
- Managers-in-Training
- Training and Development Managers
- Directors of Staff Development
- Onboarding Managers
- Operations Managers
- Directors of Training
- Directors of Workforce Development
- Learning Managers
- Learning Program Managers
- Learning and Development Leads
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for learning program managers can be found.
Best Industries for Learning Program Managers
Learning Program Managers Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Military: 16.3%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 12.5%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 3.2%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3%
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 2.9%
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 2.9%
- Other: 59.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of learning program managers can be found working in the Federal Government, Military sector. In 2023, about 16.3% of all jobs for learning program managers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (12.5%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (3.2%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3%), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (2.9%) and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (2.9%).
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What Do Learning Program Managers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what learning program managers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work learning program managers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that learning program managers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for learning program managers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Learning Program Managers
Based on 37,279 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Learning Program Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 7,156 | 19% |
| Learning Management Systems | 5,436 | 15% |
| Marketing | 4,936 | 13% |
| Instructional Design | 4,290 | 12% |
| Adult Education | 3,987 | 11% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Learning Program Managers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 19,193 | 51% |
| Communication | 17,589 | 47% |
| Management | 16,225 | 44% |
| Operations | 10,385 | 28% |
| Training And Development | 10,191 | 27% |
Based on 37,279 job postings related to learning program managers, project management was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 19% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for learning management systems, marketing, instructional design, adult education and curriculum development were also highly sought.
As for common skills, leadership was the most desired skill found in job postings for learning program managers, followed by communication, management, operations, training and development and sales.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | 7,156 | 19% |
| Learning Management Systems | 5,436 | 15% |
| Marketing | 4,936 | 13% |
| Instructional Design | 4,290 | 12% |
| Adult Education | 3,987 | 11% |
| Curriculum Development | 3,276 | 9% |
| Operations Management | 2,577 | 7% |
| Organizational Development | 2,530 | 7% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 2,490 | 7% |
| Selling Techniques | 2,175 | 6% |
| Performance Appraisal | 2,097 | 6% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 2,082 | 6% |
| Auditing | 1,969 | 5% |
| Finance | 1,868 | 5% |
| Profit And Loss (P&L) Management | 1,790 | 5% |
| Performance Management | 1,732 | 5% |
| Process Improvement | 1,723 | 5% |
| Change Management | 1,685 | 5% |
| Data Analysis | 1,682 | 5% |
| Learning Strategies | 1,671 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | 19,193 | 51% |
| Communication | 17,589 | 47% |
| Management | 16,225 | 44% |
| Operations | 10,385 | 28% |
| Training And Development | 10,191 | 27% |
| Sales | 8,646 | 23% |
| Planning | 8,164 | 22% |
| Coaching | 8,114 | 22% |
| Customer Service | 7,877 | 21% |
| Presentations | 6,268 | 17% |
| Problem Solving | 6,185 | 17% |
| Leadership Development | 6,142 | 16% |
| Writing | 6,015 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 5,368 | 14% |
| Microsoft Excel | 5,225 | 14% |
| Detail Oriented | 5,069 | 14% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 4,842 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 4,806 | 13% |
| Coordinating | 4,650 | 12% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 4,540 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Learning Program Managers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and Development Managers | 4,123 | 14.7% |
| Training Managers | 3,139 | 11.2% |
| Managers-in-Training | 2,711 | 9.7% |
| Training and Development Managers | 2,231 | 8% |
| Directors of Staff Development | 5,449 | 19.5% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was learning and development managers, with 1,919 unique job postings. Training managers were second, with 1,075 postings, followed by managers-in-training, training and development managers and directors of staff development.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to learning program managers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and Development Managers | 4,123 | 14.7% |
| Training Managers | 3,139 | 11.2% |
| Managers-in-Training | 2,711 | 9.7% |
| Training and Development Managers | 2,231 | 8% |
| Directors of Staff Development | 5,449 | 19.5% |
| Onboarding Managers | 1,015 | 3.6% |
| Operations Managers | 914 | 3.3% |
| Directors of Training | 933 | 3.3% |
| Directors of Workforce Development | 671 | 2.4% |
| Learning Managers | 485 | 1.7% |
| Learning Program Managers | 520 | 1.9% |
| Learning and Development Leads | 509 | 1.8% |
| Assistant Event Managers | 686 | 2.5% |
| Program Managers | 642 | 2.3% |
| Directors of Learning and Development | 704 | 2.5% |
| Directors of Leadership Development | 676 | 2.4% |
| Directors of Leadership | 783 | 2.8% |
| Training Program Managers | 522 | 1.9% |
| Field Training Managers | 725 | 2.6% |
| Learning and Development Program Managers | 520 | 1.9% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for learning program managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for learning program managers.
How much do learning program managers make?
Learning Program Managers: How do you become one?
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