Public Health Data Program Manager
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Define program goals, success measures, and reporting requirements
- Build project plans, timelines, and resourcing plans
- Coordinate cross functional teams across public health, data, and operations
- Oversee data collection workflows and data quality checks
- Manage data sharing agreements and access approvals
- Translate public health needs into clear data requirements
- Guide dashboard and report development for stakeholders
- Monitor program progress and remove delivery blockers
- Manage vendors and external partners when needed
- Prepare briefings for leadership and funders
- Support evaluation plans and outcome measurement
- Ensure compliance with privacy, security, and ethical standards
Top Skills for Success
Program Planning
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Budget Management
Team Leadership
Data Quality Management
Data Governance
Privacy Compliance
Public Health Reporting
Requirements Gathering
Dashboard Strategy
Change Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Public Health Data Program Manager
Public Health Informatics Manager
Epidemiology Program Manager
Data Governance Manager
Health Analytics Manager
Transition Opportunities
Director of Public Health Data
Director of Program Operations
Public Health Informatics Director
Population Health Director
Chief Data Officer
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Data GovernanceData Sharing AgreementsPrivacy ComplianceOutcome MeasurementVendor ManagementDashboard StrategyData Quality Management
Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of two to three program deliverables such as a data quality plan, a stakeholder reporting cadence, and a dashboard rollout plan. Practice writing clear data requirements and setting measurable outcomes. Seek exposure to data privacy reviews and data sharing agreements through shadowing or joint projects with legal and security teams.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 85,000 to 110,000
Mid LevelUSD 110,000 to 140,000
Senior LevelUSD 140,000 to 180,000
Growth Trend
Demand is steady to growing, driven by public health modernization, expanded reporting requirements, and increased use of data for program funding and accountability.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
State health departmentsCity and county health departmentsCenters for Disease Control and PreventionNational Institutes of HealthCenters for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesKaiser PermanenteUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthDeloitteAccentureRTI InternationalICF
Industry Sectors
Government public healthHealthcare providersHealth insurancePublic health consultingResearch organizationsNonprofit health organizationsHealth technology
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a one page program charter template you can reuse for new initiatives2
Develop a standard set of program metrics and a reporting cadence for leadership updates3
Document a data quality checklist and apply it to an existing dataset4
Partner with a data team to deliver a small dashboard improvement in four to six weeks5
Review your organization’s data privacy and security policies and map them to your program workflows6
Strengthen stakeholder communication by running a monthly cross team review meeting with clear decisions and owners7
Update your resume with measurable outcomes such as timeliness, data completeness, and program adoption