Program Analyst Sample Job Descriptions

What Does a Program Analyst Do?

A program analyst evaluates and improves organizational programs by analyzing data, processes, and outcomes to ensure efficiency and goal alignment. They collect and interpret performance metrics, identify trends, and recommend enhancements to optimize resource use and program effectiveness. Using analytical tools and software, they prepare reports and present findings to support management’s decision-making.

Program analysts monitor program implementation, assess compliance with policies or regulations, and collaborate with stakeholders to address operational challenges. They may develop budgets, track expenditures, and propose cost-saving measures to maintain financial oversight. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in data systems, typically applied in government agencies, corporations, or nonprofits where data-driven program management is critical.

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National Average Salary

Program analyst salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.

The average national salary for a Program Analyst is:

$92,224

Program Analyst Job Descriptions

It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a program analyst. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.

Example 1

As a program analyst, you will perform high-level financial modeling and solve one-of-a-kind problems to improve efficiencies and operations across a broad range of groups with organization-wide impact. We need a forward-looking, strategic, yet realistic problem solver who can work closely with internal groups and senior leadership. In this role, you would provide recommendations for developing or modifying applications or databases, using research and fact-finding. As an ideal candidate, you have proven experience optimizing systems, procedures, and processes, evaluating operational and program effectiveness, and developing solutions to make improvements or address performance issues. 

Typical duties and responsibilities

  • Develops and implements data management collection procedures
  • Participates in strategic planning meetings
  • Documents all changes in programs and outcomes
  • Validates data and implements quality control measures to ensure the continued success of programs
  • Assists with grants and event coordination
  • Creates budgetary controls and financial management processes
  • Analyzes programs, policies, procedures, and systems and makes recommendations to optimize them
  • Creates and implements new or revised policies and procedures
  • Identifies and resolves issues

Education and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business, or similar field
  • 3+ years of experience with project management or program analysis

Required skills and qualifications

  • Understanding of industry best practices
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills
  • Exceptional math and statistics skills
  • Ability to work independently and with a team 
  • Ability to adapt quickly to changing technology
  • Effective communication skills 
  • High proficiency in computer technology and programming 
  • Strong project management skills.

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience creating and delivering budgets
  • Experience in software design, debugging, and development
  • Familiarity with a variety of databases and software systems

Example 2

Responsibilities

  • Assist management in developing performance metrics
  • Identify trends, atypical situations, or other issues that may require special consideration or procedures
  • Manage multiple conflicting priorities while supporting the various process owners
  • Ensure the adherence to federal regulations for payments of specific program components, including program rules, eligibility designations, and FCC orders
  • Conduct audit research
  • Assist Senior Manager(s), Director(s), and others in various projects, as needed
  • Other specific duties as assigned

About you

  • Possess Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field
  • 3 to 4 years of working in a professional environment as an Analyst or similar position
  • Experience working in the telecommunications industry, performing audit response functions, and/or leveraging financial systems
  • Be proactive and highly organized, with strong attention to detail and follow through with the ability to handle multiple, complex tasks, and establish priorities
  • Capacity to work independently without significant guidance and be able to exercise good judgment, taking the initiative when necessary
  • Excellent analytical and proven problem-solving skills
  • Analyze and interpret program data to identify any risks, issues, solutions, and recommendations
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and have strong verbal and written communication skills
  • The ability to identify and implement continuous process improvement
  • Proficient with the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio)

Example 3

As a Program Analyst, you will support the team with compelling visualizations to better understand needs, goals, and objectives. The ideal candidate has some experience in fast-paced complex environments like the automotive industry.

You will

  • Create reports and data visualizations to make recommendations to leadership
  • Manage data analytics to understand the scope, schedule, cost, and quality
  • Monitor project schedule compliance levels, identify gaps, and assess project risks
  • Open issues tracking and follow up with issue owners
  • Identify and communicate potential roadblocks. Work with the Program Manager to eliminate roadblocks
  • Coordinate with internal stakeholders to identify data required and inform of missing data needed to complete projects
  • Provide planning support for programs including scheduling, budgeting, and performance monitoring
  • Gather and analyze information to develop regular program status reports
  • Assist in developing and implementing AME program management procedures, processes, and systems
  • Develop and maintain the document control system including maintenance of project files, quality assurance, communication, and automation
  • Ensure document review and approval occur in a timely manner as dictated by program management

You’ll need

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering – Industrial or Systems preferred
  • Strong programming skills with Python, C#, or Java
  • Excellent Microsoft Power BI & Microsoft Excel capability (Macros, complex queries, etc.)
  • Excellent organizational, administrative, prioritization, and communication abilities with good follow-up skills and attention to detail is a must
  • Must be self-motivated with a desire to continuously improve, learn, and provide creative solutions
  • Effective problem solver with knowledge and experience utilizing a structured problem-solving methodology
  • Project launch experience from initial concept to final production

Example 4

The Program Analyst will focus on evaluating the efficiency, effectiveness, and ROI of learning initiatives targeted at improving associate performance and career readiness.

Primary tasks

  • Utilize a credible Learning Model to measure the effectiveness of L&D training courses, workshops, and initiatives
  • Contribute data that supports the development of functional and organizational content, practices, and objectives to achieve learning and development goals
  • Apply CNO and L&D policies and procedures during the evaluation and reporting process
  • Develop and implement solutions to collect and analyze data
  • Analyze responses to prompts to achieve a secure, valid, reliable determination of the impact of learning and return on investment
  • Analyze learning issues using data from internal and external resources to provide insight to decision-makers
  • Apply subject matter expertise and experience to evaluate course, workshop, and program impact
  • Recognize and interpret trends and patterns in datasets to locate influences
  • Prototype and personalize robust feedback that supports accurate reporting
  • Other duties as assigned

Required education, skills, and experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Adult Education, Business, Strategy, Analysis, or another related field
  • Experience in evaluating learning effectiveness utilizing a credible learning model (Ex. Kirkpatrick, Phillips, Six Sigma)
  • Demonstrated ability to be well-connected with a team and any applicable cross-functional groups
  • Solid communication skills in written and verbal form with the ability to connect effectively with all stakeholders
  • Knowledge of the functions and challenges of Adult Learning
  • Proven ability to collect and analyze information
  • Investigate appropriate resources and involve partners when appropriate
  • Proficient in Microsoft – Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and One Drive
  • Ten plus (10) years of full-time work experience in training, analysis, or evaluation
  • Master’s Degree in Adult Education, Business, Strategy, Analysis, or another related field
  • Outstanding communication skills (both written & verbal) with the ability to connect effectively with all stakeholders
  • Experience with the functions and challenges of Adult Learning

Candidate Certifications to Look For

  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification. The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is the pre-eminent framework for managing IT service delivery around the world, defining the processes for the design, development, delivery, and support of IT services. ITIL offers five levels of certification: foundation, practitioner, intermediate, expert, and master. Each certificate earns credits, and with 22 credits, candidates can achieve ITIL Expert certification. The ITIL Master certification demonstrates the ability to apply the ITIL framework in real-world situations. It requires the ITIL Expert certification, 5 years of ITIL experience in a management or leadership role, submission of a proposal for a service improvement, submission of a work package demonstrating a candidate’s ability to apply ITIL principles to a real-world business case, and an interview with an ITIL assessment panel.
  • Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA). The PMI-PBA, offered by the Project Management Institute, is for IT professionals who manage requirements or product development and project or program managers who perform business analysis. The PMI-PBA demonstrates a candidate’s competency in all facets of business analysis. This credential is highly sought after because a certificate holder is considered an expert in business analysis and gives them a solid edge over their peers. The eligibility requirements include passing a rigorous exam and various combinations of experience and education.
  • Capacity Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification. The CMMI model provides businesses with a framework for developing better products and services, from development to acquisition. Three levels of certifications are offered through the CMMI Institute. The CMMI Associate certification demonstrates a candidate’s commitment to performance improvement. The CMMI Professional certification proves a candidate’s ability to apply the CMMI model in an organizational structure. The Certified CMMI lead appraiser is qualified to help organizations determine their capability level or maturity level. If candidates want to teach others how to use the CMMI model, they can become certified CMMI instructors.

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