Program Manager Jobs in Iowa
Program Manager jobs in Iowa are in consistent demand, with strong hiring concentrated in healthcare administration, insurance and financial services, manufacturing operations, and technology project delivery. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are the leading markets, home to major employers such as Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the University of Iowa Health Care, all of which run substantial program management functions. The most sought-after specialties are IT program management, healthcare operations, and enterprise project governance at the director-adjacent level. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Program Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ Program Manager jobs
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
- A complete DMACC Employment Application in English (personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions). Incomplete applications and/or “See Resume” will not be accepted.
- If applicable, attachment of transcripts to your electronic application. Transcripts must include the applicant’s name and degrees conferred. Scans, photos, or unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts will be collected upon hire (if applicable).
Position Details
Starting salary: $68,388 – $74,423
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. The starting salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Pay Grade: AL
Lead implementation of the five-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and implementation schedules; monitor progress toward project outcomes and deliverables; identify risks, barriers, and opportunities; and recommend corrective actions to support achievement of grant objectives.
Coordinate, oversee, and support implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of grant initiatives related to Student Support System Modernization, Gateway Course Redesign, and AI Capacity Building through project management, cross-functional collaboration, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Data, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness staff to monitor project outcomes and assess progress toward grant objectives. Track and analyze key performance indicators, grant metrics, and project data; coordinate project evaluation activities; utilize assessment findings to support continuous improvement; and prepare reports, presentations, and project updates for institutional leadership, governing boards, and other stakeholders.
Grant Administration and Compliance
Ensure compliance with federal grant regulations, reporting requirements, and institutional policies. Monitor grant expenditures and budget performance; coordinate grant documentation, records, and reporting activities; and prepare annual and final grant reports in collaboration with Sponsored Programs Accounting and Grants & Contracts staff. Serve as the primary liaison with grant consultants and funding agency representatives and work with internal stakeholders to ensure fiscal compliance and effective administration of grant resources.
Vendor and Consultant Management
Manage relationships and contracts with technology vendors, instructional design consultants, AI partners, and other grant-related vendors and service providers. Coordinate scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations; facilitate meetings and project communication; review invoices and contract expenditures; and monitor vendor performance to ensure successful implementation of grant initiatives and compliance with contractual requirements.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement communication and stakeholder engagement strategies that support grant objectives and project success. Coordinate meetings, presentations, and engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders; prepare and present reports, updates, and recommendations for institutional leadership, the Board of Directors, funding partners, and other stakeholders; and promote transparency, collaboration, and informed participation across the institution.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-year initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and collaborate with stakeholders across multiple functional areas.
Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner with internal and external stakeholders, while managing multiple and competing priorities.
Experience monitoring budgets and expenditures.
Proficiency with data analysis, reporting, and project management software.
Experience managing federal grants.
Experience in higher education.
Knowledge of student success initiatives, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, or instructional design.
Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
Experience coordinating cross-functional projects involving technology implementation, process improvement, or institutional change.
Familiarity with enterprise student information systems, Ellucian products, data analytics platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, and/or learning management systems.
PMP, CAPM, Prosci, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, or other project, change, or process improvement certification.
- Sit
- Lift Floor to Waist < 10 lbs
- Carry < 10 lbs x 100 ft
- Push/pull horizontal 10 lbs x 18 in
- Lateral Pinch
- Forward reach
- Crouch
- Neck Flexion, Extension & Rotation
- Fine Motor Coordination
- Hand & Foot Coordination
- Stand
- Ability to be Mobile
Mobility accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and determined by the essential functions of this position.
- A complete DMACC Employment Application in English (personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions). Incomplete applications and/or “See Resume” will not be accepted.
- If applicable, attachment of transcripts to your electronic application. Transcripts must include the applicant’s name and degrees conferred. Scans, photos, or unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts will be collected upon hire (if applicable).
Nondiscrimination Statement:
Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources https://www.dmacc.edu/hr/index.html.
ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515-964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu.
Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695, FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339, Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Tell us about a large, complex project that you personally managed from beginning to end. How did you organize the work, establish milestones and deadlines, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and track progress? What was the outcome?
(Open Ended Question)
- This position will be responsible for managing multiple priorities and deliverables at the same time, often involving people who do not report directly to you. Describe a time when you had several significant deadlines competing for your attention. How did you prioritize the work, keep others accountable, and ensure that critical deadlines were met?
(Open Ended Question)
- Tell us about a project or responsibility where you were given the desired outcome but very little direction about how to achieve it. How did you determine what needed to be done, create structure around the work, and keep the project moving without waiting for someone else to tell you the next step?
(Open Ended Question)
- How did you learn about this job opening?
- DMACC Employee Referral
- Friend/Relative
- Indeed.com
- TeachIowa.gov
- HigherEdJobs
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Inside Higher Ed
- Iowa Workforce Development
- DMACC Website
- DMACC Applicant Job Alert Email
- Other
- Have you completed the DMACC Employment Application (all personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions)?
- Yes
- No (If no, please return to the application and complete all additional information.)
Documents Needed to Apply
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Other
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
- A complete DMACC Employment Application in English (personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions). Incomplete applications and/or “See Resume” will not be accepted.
- If applicable, attachment of transcripts to your electronic application. Transcripts must include the applicant’s name and degrees conferred. Scans, photos, or unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts will be collected upon hire (if applicable).
Position Details
Starting salary: $68,388 – $74,423
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. The starting salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Pay Grade: AL
Lead implementation of the five-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and implementation schedules; monitor progress toward project outcomes and deliverables; identify risks, barriers, and opportunities; and recommend corrective actions to support achievement of grant objectives.
Coordinate, oversee, and support implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of grant initiatives related to Student Support System Modernization, Gateway Course Redesign, and AI Capacity Building through project management, cross-functional collaboration, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Data, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness staff to monitor project outcomes and assess progress toward grant objectives. Track and analyze key performance indicators, grant metrics, and project data; coordinate project evaluation activities; utilize assessment findings to support continuous improvement; and prepare reports, presentations, and project updates for institutional leadership, governing boards, and other stakeholders.
Grant Administration and Compliance
Ensure compliance with federal grant regulations, reporting requirements, and institutional policies. Monitor grant expenditures and budget performance; coordinate grant documentation, records, and reporting activities; and prepare annual and final grant reports in collaboration with Sponsored Programs Accounting and Grants & Contracts staff. Serve as the primary liaison with grant consultants and funding agency representatives and work with internal stakeholders to ensure fiscal compliance and effective administration of grant resources.
Vendor and Consultant Management
Manage relationships and contracts with technology vendors, instructional design consultants, AI partners, and other grant-related vendors and service providers. Coordinate scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations; facilitate meetings and project communication; review invoices and contract expenditures; and monitor vendor performance to ensure successful implementation of grant initiatives and compliance with contractual requirements.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement communication and stakeholder engagement strategies that support grant objectives and project success. Coordinate meetings, presentations, and engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders; prepare and present reports, updates, and recommendations for institutional leadership, the Board of Directors, funding partners, and other stakeholders; and promote transparency, collaboration, and informed participation across the institution.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-year initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and collaborate with stakeholders across multiple functional areas.
Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner with internal and external stakeholders, while managing multiple and competing priorities.
Experience monitoring budgets and expenditures.
Proficiency with data analysis, reporting, and project management software.
Experience managing federal grants.
Experience in higher education.
Knowledge of student success initiatives, assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, or instructional design.
Experience leading organizational change initiatives.
Experience coordinating cross-functional projects involving technology implementation, process improvement, or institutional change.
Familiarity with enterprise student information systems, Ellucian products, data analytics platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, and/or learning management systems.
PMP, CAPM, Prosci, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, or other project, change, or process improvement certification.
- Sit
- Lift Floor to Waist < 10 lbs
- Carry < 10 lbs x 100 ft
- Push/pull horizontal 10 lbs x 18 in
- Lateral Pinch
- Forward reach
- Crouch
- Neck Flexion, Extension & Rotation
- Fine Motor Coordination
- Hand & Foot Coordination
- Stand
- Ability to be Mobile
Mobility accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and determined by the essential functions of this position.
- A complete DMACC Employment Application in English (personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions). Incomplete applications and/or “See Resume” will not be accepted.
- If applicable, attachment of transcripts to your electronic application. Transcripts must include the applicant’s name and degrees conferred. Scans, photos, or unofficial copies are acceptable. Official transcripts will be collected upon hire (if applicable).
Nondiscrimination Statement:
Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources https://www.dmacc.edu/hr/index.html.
ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515-964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu.
Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695, FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339, Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Tell us about a large, complex project that you personally managed from beginning to end. How did you organize the work, establish milestones and deadlines, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and track progress? What was the outcome?
(Open Ended Question)
- This position will be responsible for managing multiple priorities and deliverables at the same time, often involving people who do not report directly to you. Describe a time when you had several significant deadlines competing for your attention. How did you prioritize the work, keep others accountable, and ensure that critical deadlines were met?
(Open Ended Question)
- Tell us about a project or responsibility where you were given the desired outcome but very little direction about how to achieve it. How did you determine what needed to be done, create structure around the work, and keep the project moving without waiting for someone else to tell you the next step?
(Open Ended Question)
- How did you learn about this job opening?
- DMACC Employee Referral
- Friend/Relative
- Indeed.com
- TeachIowa.gov
- HigherEdJobs
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Inside Higher Ed
- Iowa Workforce Development
- DMACC Website
- DMACC Applicant Job Alert Email
- Other
- Have you completed the DMACC Employment Application (all personal information, educational history, employment history, and supplemental questions)?
- Yes
- No (If no, please return to the application and complete all additional information.)
Documents Needed to Apply
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Other
See All 24 Program Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Manager JobsProgram Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, project management, engineering, or a related field
- PMP or PgMP certification strongly preferred or required by most Iowa employers
- Five or more years managing cross-functional programs or large-scale projects
- Experience with program lifecycle tools such as MS Project, Jira, or Smartsheet
- Proven ability to manage program budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communications
- Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or waterfall methodologies depending on the employer's environment
Program Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program manager in Iowa?
Program management has no state-issued license in Iowa, so the path runs through education and professional certification. Most Iowa employers expect a bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field, followed by several years of project or operations experience. Earning a Project Management Professional credential through the Project Management Institute is the most widely recognized step that signals readiness for program-level roles at large Iowa employers in healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing.
Which companies hire program managers in Iowa?
Iowa program manager roles are posted by Collins Aerospace, Concentrix, and The University of Iowa and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's concentration of large insurance carriers, regional health systems, and advanced manufacturing firms means program management demand is spread across multiple sectors rather than tied to a single industry.
Which Iowa cities have the most program manager jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Ankeny account for the greatest concentration of program manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors the market through its dense cluster of insurance, financial services, and technology employers, while Cedar Rapids draws demand from manufacturing and logistics operations, and Iowa City's openings are driven largely by the University of Iowa and its associated health system.
Are there remote program manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 67% of program manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based, coordination-heavy nature of the role. The functions most likely to be fully remote are IT program management and enterprise transformation roles, while program managers embedded in manufacturing plants or clinical operations are typically required on site.
How can I get hired as a program manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a project coordinator or business analyst role within a large Iowa employer and building toward program responsibilities over time. Health systems such as UnityPoint Health and UI Health Care, as well as insurers like Principal Financial Group, regularly post coordinator and analyst positions that feed into program management tracks. Earning a Certified Associate in Project Management credential before applying gives candidates without years of experience a concrete signal of commitment that Iowa hiring managers recognize.
Where can I find and apply to program manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to program manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Search the roles available, identify the ones that match your background and location preference, and apply directly to each opening that fits your situation.
See All 24 Program Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Manager Jobs