Comparing Program Managers to Account Managers

Program managers establish the parameters of many related projects, while account
managers engage with new and existing buyers. Readers will explore the necessary
college degrees, annual earnings, job growths, and the typical responsibilities for each of
these professions.

Educational Median Salary Job Growth (2018-

Job Title
Requirements (2020)* 2028)**
Program $85,569 (program
Bachelor's Degree 6% (managers, all other)
Managers project manager)
8% (advertising,
Account $54,275 (account
Bachelor's Degree promotions, and marketing
Managers managers)
managers)
Sources: *Payscale, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Responsibilities of Program Managers vs. Account

Managers
Program managers and account managers may work with a variety of products to either
develop or sell them. Additionally, both may travel to meet clients to better understand
the parameters of the project or to gain first-hand knowledge of an organization's needs.
Program managers, however, focus on planning the design, marketing, and production of
new products. Account managers work directly with selling a product to targeted
customers.

Program Managers
Program managers plan and organize a series of related projects, especially those
regarding the development and implementation of new products. Along with company
executives, they set program objectives that align with the goals of the organization. This
holistic view of the program allows these leaders to coordinate related projects that all
reach towards this shared goal. To ensure deadlines are met, program managers parcel
projects into smaller tasks, which also helps them mark progress. Completing these tasks
means delegating work to team members and supervising any product development.
Job responsibilities of a program manager include:

 Sustaining the inventory, office infrastructure, and machines needed to complete

projects
 Dealing with issues and setbacks in a way that keeps the program moving
forward
 Discussing any changes to the schedule or deliverable with stakeholders
 Providing quality control checks on end-products

Account Managers
Account managers have sales quotas to hit, but they also have to establish working
relationships with customers. Understanding areas of the market that are growing allows
them to identify new customers, as well as contact those within the company who make
purchase decisions. Account managers work with these individuals to determine the
company's needs. They then discuss any modifications that could be made to the
product, agreeing on a solution that will fit the customer's needs. For account managers,
part of making a sale is to coordinate the logistics of delivery and placing the order.
Job responsibilities of an account manager include:

 Gaining positive customer satisfaction ratings

 Offering price quotes that will fit the customer's budget
 Invoicing sales and collecting payment
 Working with marketing during a product launch to establish promotional
techniques

Related Careers
Because you're researching a career as a program manager, you may also be interested
in becoming a product manager, as both lead development of revenue-earning projects.
If a career as an account manager excites you, however, you may want to look into a
future as an advertising manager, because both work to engage potential customers.

 Product Manager: Job Description & Career Requirements

 Advertising Manager: Job Description & Career Requirements