You've most likely heard the expression "Get with the program." In fact, maybe you've had someone say it to you (it's a particular favorite of dads, by the way). The program is essentially the mission. For dads, it might be getting all the trash out to the curb. For a company, it might be making sports cars. So companies need program managers who understand that mission and can oversee all the projects that contribute to it. They ensure that those projects have the necessary staff and resources, then they track their progress, manage the budgets, and make reports to the executives. It's a demanding job, but an excellent path into upper management. So get with the program—consider diving into this rewarding career.
The Details
The end result of many company programs are goods and services that help make our lives better in some way—and program managers ensure that they're created with the highest quality possible.
Many people start out their careers as project managers, then work their way up to being program managers (since the "program" title requires managing on a much larger scale).
