Program Management Careers.
Public health program management is an ever-present, specialized field focused on designing, implementing, and evaluating public health initiatives. Management skills are some of the most desired that are listed in job descriptions, and managers play a critical role in advancing all manner of public health endeavors, whether it be addressing health equity, promoting disease prevention, or supporting health programs in community settings.
Professionals in this area are tasked with coordinating resources, managing budgets, and ensuring projects meet strategic goals. Every organization needs talented personnel that know how to manage people and projects.
Project Management vs. Program Management
An important distinction is between project and program management. In public health, project management and program management serve distinct and complementary roles, both crucial for implementing effective health initiatives.
Project Management focuses on managing specific initiatives or interventions with defined objectives, timelines, and budgets. For example, a project manager in public health coordinates efforts to counter infectious disease outbreaks. This role requires strong skills in planning, resource allocation, and time management, ensuring the project meets its goals, and delivers impact on time and within scope.
Program Management, in contrast, involves overseeing multiple related projects or ongoing activities that contribute to broader, long-term health outcomes. For instance, a public health program manager supervises various projects aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates among an at-risk population, across a region or state. This role demands strategic thinking, long-term planning, and the ability to coordinate across projects, stakeholders, and resources, ensuring that each project aligns with overall public health objectives and adapts to evolving community needs.
A Note on the PMP Certification
Some professionals acquire a PMP Certification (Project Management Professional) which can be valuable in both contexts, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of best practices in project management, including stakeholder engagement, budgeting, risk management, and quality assurance. For some public health professionals, a PMP can enhance the ability to structure, monitor, and evaluate complex projects, which is particularly beneficial for health agencies or organizations managing multiple health interventions. Additionally, a PMP credential can bolster credibility, particularly for leadership roles that require high-level planning, accountability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in health initiatives. Some employers may pay for their employees to acquire this certification.
Job Outlook
The demand for public health program managers is growing as public health challenges increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a faster-than-average growth rate for health services management roles, including public health. Internationally, the demand remains high, with a particular need in regions addressing health crises and building sustainable health infrastructure.
Career Pathways for PM Certificates
Check out our Program Management Career Pathways Document to research careers by sector, and learn about roles & responsibilities.
For students interested in consulting, please visit our consulting webpage.
Common Job Titles
Job titles will vary depending on the specific organization and job requirements. The list below includes titles of entry-level and higher positions that Program Management Certificate graduates can pursue.
- Project Coordinator
- Program Coordinator
- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
- Community Health Program Specialist
- Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
- Program Analyst
- Senior Program Analyst
- Program Associate
- Senior Program Associate
- Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Health Program Manager
- Public Health Consultant
- Project Officer
- Program Officer
- Senior Program Officer
Where These Positions Can be Found
Sectors for roles span government, insurers, and providers, for profit and consultant firms, as well as non-profit and community agencies. Those interested in positions in Global Health, MCH, Consulting or Pharmaceutical roles, should read those associated Career Guides, to help them identify target organizations. The list below provides a broad overview.
NGOs & Associations
- American Heart Association – Renowned for cardiovascular research, public health advocacy, and awareness campaigns.
- American Medical Association (AMA) – Influential in healthcare policy, ethics, and professional standards for medical practitioners.
- Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) – Supports laboratory science and practice to advance public health and safety.
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) – Provides leadership and resources for state and territorial health agencies.
- National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) – Focuses on the capacity-building and advocacy of local health departments.
- National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine – Advises on critical health issues, public health policies, and science-based recommendations.
Health Providers & Insurance Companies
- Baystate Health – Regional healthcare provider focused on improving health outcomes and providing patient-centered care.
- Beth Israel Lahey Health – A major Massachusetts-based health system known for research and patient care.
- Boston Children’s Hospital – Globally recognized for pediatric research, treatment innovations, and public health outreach.
- Boston Medical Center – Known for its commitment to serving vulnerable populations and health equity.
- Cambridge Health Alliance – Community health provider recognized for addressing social determinants of health.
- CVS Health – Broadens access to preventive care, including vaccinations and telehealth, with a public health focus.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Leading institution for cancer research, treatment, and patient support.
- East Boston Neighborhood Health Center – Emphasizes community health and accessible healthcare for diverse populations.
- Fenway Health – Noted for its LGBTQ+ healthcare and community-based public health services.
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute – Known for health policy research and innovative healthcare delivery models.
- Mass General Brigham – A prominent research and clinical institution known for pioneering healthcare solutions.
- NYU Langone Health – Recognized for its contributions to healthcare research and public health initiatives.
- Tufts Medical Center – Known for specialized care, public health programs, and community outreach.
For Profit & Consulting Firms
- Amino Health – Health navigation company utilizing data to help patients make informed healthcare decisions.
- Booz Allen Hamilton – Provides strategic consulting with a strong focus on health systems and public health planning.
- Deloitte – Known for public health and healthcare consulting, including advisory services for government health agencies.
- ECG Management Consultants – Focuses on healthcare strategy and operations, often partnering with health systems.
- Guidehouse – Consulting firm recognized for healthcare strategy, data analytics, and public health research support.
- IQVIA – Specializes in health data analytics and life sciences, impacting public health research globally.
- Moderna – Biotech company known for its groundbreaking work in mRNA technology, notably its COVID-19 vaccine.
- Parexel – Provides clinical research and consulting services, advancing public health through life sciences.
- Procter & Gamble – Invests in health and hygiene innovations, especially products promoting global public health.
- Public Consulting Group (PCG) – Focuses on public sector consulting, including health and human services.
- PwC – Known for advising health organizations on strategy, finance, and operations in public health contexts.
- Teladoc Health – A leader in telemedicine, expanding access to healthcare and supporting public health initiatives.
Government Agencies
- Boston Public Health Commission – A leading city health department addressing urban health challenges.
- California Department of Health Care Services – Manages California’s healthcare system and public health programs.
- Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) – U.S. federal agency critical in disease control, prevention, and health policy.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Regulates national healthcare programs that impact public health significantly.
- City of Toronto – Known for its public health efforts and responses to urban health issues.
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection – Oversees environmental health and pollution control.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Provides comprehensive healthcare to veterans, a major part of U.S. public health.
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Progressive health policies and programs for statewide public health.
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) – Focused on public health initiatives in a large urban setting.
- Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services – Manages public health services and policies for Rhode Island.
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Principal U.S. agency for protecting health and providing essential services.
- US Department of Defense – Manages healthcare for military personnel, impacting public health on a large scale.
United Nations & International Agencies
- World Health Organization (WHO) – The primary global health agency, coordinating international health standards, emergency responses, and disease prevention.
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Leads in child health, nutrition, and immunization programs across countries.
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – Specializes in reproductive health, maternal health, and population data.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Works to improve health systems, fight infectious diseases, and support health equity.
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) – Coordinates efforts to combat HIV/AIDS through research, policy, and education.
Medical Research & Educational Institutions
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – A global leader in public health education and research.
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – Known for extensive contributions to public health research and training.
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory – Prominent in training public health leaders and research initiatives.
- The Broad Institute – Research organization focused on genomics and its applications to public health.
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) – Noted for healthcare research, medical training, and public health impact.
Nonprofits & Community Health Organizations
- JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. – Develops public health programs worldwide, addressing healthcare access and education.
- Health Care for All – Advocates for health policy reform and expanded healthcare access in the U.S.
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) – Focuses on improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
- Planned Parenthood – Major organization in reproductive health services, education, and public health advocacy.
- Services for the UnderServed (S) – Addresses health and housing needs for vulnerable communities.
Core Competencies & Skills Needed
Read job postings to learn more about specific requirements for the role. Language and descriptions will vary by roles and sectors. However, some key skills include:
- Leadership and Supervision: Coordinating partnerships and resources while leading and supporting program teams to align activities with overall organizational goals.
- Budget Management: Projecting costs, creating justifications, implementing financial transparency, and managing expenditures to optimize program resources.
- Program Planning and Implementation: Designing and executing strategic plans and quality improvement initiatives that address specific health needs in target communities.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Developing systems to track program outcomes, evaluating effectiveness, and refining strategies as necessary to enhance impact.
- Problem Solving: Addressing operational challenges in human resources, technology, and quality control, ensuring programs are responsive, adaptable, and sustainable.
Salary
Salaries for program management positions are based on many factors including industry, experience, and location. View our Graduate Employment Data – salary information is housed under “Program Management”
For more information on program management roles in different certificate focus areas, explore the Researching Public Health Careers page.
Key Professional Organizations Helpful for Job Searches
Domestic (U.S.) Public Health Associations
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
Jobs, career resources, and events for public health professionals across all sectors. - Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
Opportunities within state and territorial health agencies, as well as leadership resources. - National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Job board for local health department positions and community health-focused roles. - National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE)
Supports minority health executives with job listings, resources, and networking events. - Public Health Institute (PHI)
Jobs and projects in community health, research, and public health innovation.
International Public Health Associations & Organizations
- World Health Organization (WHO) Careers
Opportunities worldwide with the WHO and global health projects. - United Nations Careers (UN)
Job listings for various UN agencies, including roles in public health, development, and emergency response. - International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI)
Network and resources for public health institutions worldwide, including career opportunities. - Global Health Council (GHC)
Jobs, internships, and networking in global health organizations, both governmental and nonprofit. - The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE)
Job board and resources for professionals in health promotion and education globally. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Global Health Employment
Listings for international health roles within CDC’s Global Health Programs.
Industry Job Boards
- Public Health Jobs
APHA-supported job board exclusively for public health roles across academia, government, and nonprofits. - MCH Job Opportunities | University of Illinois Chicago | Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health
- Emory Public Health Employment Connection – sph.emory.edu
Hosted by Emory University, this board specializes in public health and epidemiology roles. - The Epidemiology Monitor Job Bank – epimonitor.net
A dedicated job board for epidemiologists, including academia, research, and government positions. - PublicHealthJobs.org – publichealthjobs.org
Comprehensive job board for public health roles across the U.S., supported by APHA. - Partners In Health Careers – pih.org/careers
Job opportunities with Partners In Health, an international NGO working in underserved communities.
Global Health & International Development Job Boards
- Devex
Specializes in international development, health, and humanitarian aid jobs globally. - ReliefWeb
Comprehensive job board for humanitarian and public health positions with a global focus, often in emergency response. - Global Health Jobs
Aggregates global health job opportunities, including roles at WHO, UN agencies, and large NGOs. - OneWorld Health Careers
Jobs with a focus on global health programs, medical care, and sustainable health initiatives.
Health Policy & Management Job Boards
- Health Policy Jobs
Dedicated to health policy and health systems roles in both public and private sectors. - AcademyHealth Job Board
Job board for professionals in health policy, research, and health services. - The National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE)
Job board for health executives with a focus on minority leadership in health policy and administration.
Clinical Research & Life Sciences Job Boards
- Clinical Research Jobs
Listings for clinical trials and research positions, including roles in public health research. - BioSpace
Life sciences job board, including roles in biopharma, public health, and healthcare innovation. - Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) Career Center
Career board focused on clinical research site positions and clinical trial management.
Environmental & Occupational Health Job Boards
- EnvironmentalCareer.com
Job board for environmental health and public health roles within organizations focused on environmental impact. - National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Career Center
Focused on environmental health roles, including jobs in water quality, food safety, and health policy. - American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) CareerAdvantage
Specialized in occupational health and industrial hygiene job opportunities.
Academic & Research-focused Roles Job Boards
- Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs
Job board for public health, epidemiology, and global health roles in academia. - HigherEdJobs
Listings of public health and research positions at universities and colleges, especially for faculty and research roles. - APLU (Association of Public and Land-grant Universities) Job Board
Focuses on academic roles and positions in research institutions, including public health and health policy roles.
Government & Public Sector Health Job Boards
- USAJOBS
Federal government jobs, including roles at CDC, NIH, and other health-related agencies. - GovernmentJobs.com
Lists local, state, and federal public health roles across various health departments and agencies. - PHI National Public Health Job Board
Listings from state and local health departments, especially public health-focused nonprofit roles.
Additional Links & Resources
- Partners in Health Program Management Guide – an implementation resource and learning guide.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical and Health Services Managers
- ExploreHealthCareers.org – Public Health Practice and Program Management
- Get more technical training – free online courses on global health topics – USAID