What is a Programme Coordinator?
A Program Coordinator is an administrative professional who manages, coordinates, and oversees the planning, implementation, marketing and evaluation of various programmes and initiatives.
Specifically, as a Programme Coordinator, you will assist staff members with finances, rules, and processes in order to assure programme success.
You’ll also keep track of staff members workloads, timetables, programme plans and budgets to guarantee that programmes are delivered on time and on budget.
Four basic areas of coordination roles include:
Information
Regardless of industry, the coordination of information flow is important to the success of any project. The ability to determine when and who needs to be notified is crucial.
People
Working with individuals who have varying wants, priorities, and requirements is another important area of Programme Coordination.
Equipment
Many Programme Coordinator positions include coordinating the moving of heavy items like equipment, supplies, furniture, and similar. Being a coordinator in this case entails identifying suppliers, working as a team, and ensuring that everyone is aware of the project.
Events
In the case of event coordination, a Programme Coordinator must arrange the physical supplies, location, food, beverages, seats, entertainment, and people to host a specific event. In order to be a great Programme Coordinator you must be organised and detail-oriented, as well as comfortable working with a variety of teams. An added bonus is talent in program creation and knowledge of human resources assistance.
Responsibilities
Programme Coordinators tasks and duties vary based on the industry, region, company, and experience, you may expect to do a combination of the following:
- Assist in the planning and coordination of programme activities.
- Manage communications through media relations, social media, etc.
- Maintain budget and track expenditures/transactions
- Assist in the development of positive relationships both inside the team and with external parties
- Schedule and organise meetings/events, as well as keep track of the agenda.
- Ensure that technology is used properly in all activities (video conferencing, presentations etc.)
- Prepare paperwork and place orders for materials
- Support growth and programme development
- Monitor programme policies
- Work to keep programmes on track, under budget, and running smoothly
- Assist with programme expansion and development as needed
- Manage staff work assignments, workloads, and schedules
- Coordinate interactions/relationships between employees, clients, administrators, and any other programme participants
- Administer and manage fundraising activities for programmes as well as community outreach
- Create and keep track of programme records, reports, presentations, and proposals.
- Manage marketing and public relations (media relations, social media)
Salary
In the UK, the average programme coordinator salary is £28,782 per year. Initial salaries for entry-level employment start at £24,000 per year, with the most experienced professionals earning up to £36,169 per year.
Many Programme Coordinators work on a contract basis, especially when coordinating specific events.
The income for a Programme Coordinator, like with many other occupations, is heavily influenced by education, experience, location and type of industry.
Specifically:
Industry
What industry you work in might have a significant influence on your earnings. When looking for employment, you should determine which industries provide the most opportunities for your chosen job if you want to optimise your earning potential.
Experience
It’s been stated that experience is the best teacher, and this is probably true. How much you make as a professional is mostly determined by your level of experience. With experience comes reputation. Assuming you’re competent at what you do, the more experience you have, the better your reputation will be. As your reputation grows, more clients, customers, and employers will be knocking on your door, prepared to pay more for your services. Top earners in most businesses often have 10 years or more of experience.
Location
Not surprisingly, geographic location is one of the biggest factors when it comes to how much you can earn in a given profession. As a rule of thumb salaries are going to be higher in large cities such as London, than they are in more rural locations.
Education
There is a definite link between educational attainment and salary. In general, the more your education, the higher your wage. In the United Kingdom, studies from the Office of National Statistics revealed that the more advanced your degree, the higher your lifetime salary.
Working hours and work location
Work hours for Programme Coordinators depend on the type of employment that they have. While some work full time, others work until the implementation of a certain project is completed.
Program Coordinators work in a wide variety of employment settings. The most common ones are:
- Healthcare
- Public health agencies
- Assisted living facilities
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Non-profit organisations
- Rehab centres
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters
- Higher education
- Universities
- Colleges
Qualifications
Formal qualifications are not essential to become a Programme Coordinator, although they may be viewed favourably by employers. In order to improve your chances of getting your dream Programme Coordinator job you will need to :
- Consider obtaining a project management certificate or a bachelor’s degree in business or economics followed by a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
- Obtain job experience to gain a deeper understanding of programme management.
- Learn about budgeting, bookkeeping, and reporting firsthand.
Skills
Programme Coordinator necessitates a combination of managerial and technical abilities. The following are some of the abilities that a Programme Coordinator should possess or acquire:
must have skills:
- Knowledge of programme management and development procedures
- Knowledge of budgeting, bookkeeping and reporting
- IT proficiency
- Ability to work with diverse and multi-disciplinary teams
- Time-management and organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Detail-oriented and efficient
- Leadership skills
- Maths skills
- Monitoring skills
- Multitasking
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Clear and concise communication
- Risk Management
- Conflict resolution
- Motivational skills
- The capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and make judgments under duress
Work experience
Some Programme Coordinators enjoy their jobs because they are continually challenged, while others enjoy the fast-paced environment.
As a Programme Coordinator you can expect the following from your role:
- Lead many employees in the field of Administration.
- Assist and guide teams in completing all programme tasks necessary for implementation.
- Approve and implement various policies to improve the department.
- Hold a position of high responsibility and have a scope for growth to other job roles.
With enough experience in this job role and appropriate further qualification, like a Master degree in Public Relations (MPA), you can move onto other jobs in this field, such as:
- Program Manager
- Program Director
Career prospects
The UK Office for national Statistics does not provide employment growth projections specifically for Program Coordinator positions. However, job growth projections are provided for individual employment settings in which these workers come only work. Those projections indicate growth in all Programme Coordination related areas.
When selecting whether or not to pursue a profession in Programme Coordination, one of the most crucial questions to ask oneself is: What Can You Do with a Public Administration Master’s Degree?
Depending on your area of interest you may land a job in one of these industries:
Engineering and Construction
Engineers and construction businesses use Programme Coordinators to ensure that the project complies with national and local regulations.They prepare and submit permission paperwork, test construction materials and soil, and present their results in bid proposals. Project coordinators are also in charge of ensuring the safety of the construction site.
Healthcare
As a Programme Coordinator in the healthcare profession you may oversee the construction of a new hospital wing or assist in the hiring of new physicians. Programme Coordinators might also assist the hospital in developing a plan to reduce emergency response times or manage the transition from paper to digital records where needed.
Financial Services
Programme Coordinators in the financial services industry have a wide variety of tasks.
They assist with audits, compile financial reports, and ensure that all transactions conform with national standards. They may also assist with invoice payment, invoice creation, and payroll processing. Programme Coordinators also assist in the streamlining of procedures with the goal of increasing efficiency and lowering costs.
Law
A legal Programme Coordinator isn’t the same thing as a lawyer (although some have legal training). They do, however, assist the entire organisation by keeping track of its clients. A legal Programme Coordinator, for example, would compile and manage progress reports for the companies many projects, keep track of trial dates and deadlines, and arrange calls and meetings between attorneys and clients.
Technology
Technology Programme Coordinators assist in the coordination of information technology initiatives. They keep the team on track in terms of deadlines, finances, and time lines. They also assist with the rollout of new goods and services, as well as bug tracking. In order to comprehend how new products and features work with old technology, technical knowledge is required from all technology Programme Coordinators. London, being the UK’s bustling economic capital, is recognised for its plentiful job possibilities and high pay in all industries that employ Program Coordinators. There are various and diverse opportunities available making London one of the most desirable employment destinations.
Related Courses
This is a full-time curriculum, delivered by University of the West of Scotland London in the heart of the UK’s economic centre, at the London Campus. The one-year program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in public policy. This course combines social science and communications to prepare students for work in public and third-sector organisations.
Other related courses
- BA (Hons) International Business
- B.A. (Hons) In Economics & Management
- Business Management BSc
NB. BA (Hons) International Business
This full-time curriculum, delivered by University of the West of Scotland London over the course of 2 years and 8 months, allows students to choose from a variety of start dates. UWS London provides their students with the opportunity to learn from industry experts and guest lecturers, as well as professionals with years of experience. The best thing about this course is that it is held at the London Campus, in the very heart of the UKs business capital.
FAQ Summary
A Program Coordinator is an administrative professional who manages, coordinates, and oversees the planning, implementation, marketing and evaluation of various programmes and initiatives.
In the UK, the average programme coordinator salary is £28,782 per year. Initial salaries for entry-level employment start at £24,000 per year, with the most experienced professionals earning up to £36,169 per year.
Formal qualifications are not essential to become a Programme Coordinator, although they may be viewed favourably by employers.
