Good question. It largely depends on the organization and industry in which the role is situated. Generally speaking, neither role has any guarantee when it comes to job security and both roles have experienced some form of disruption due to the pandemic. That said, both technical program management and product management play an essential role in companies, so it could be argued that these two positions have better job security than many others.
Technical Program Managers
Technical Program Managers generally oversee team coordinators and project managers and are responsible for maintaining project schedules, resources and budgets. As such, they lead the definition, planning and execution of complex programs. In a lot of cases, technical program managers are the liaison of various groups in a project, which requires exceptional communication skills. With technology becoming increasingly important in many industries, the demand for technical program managers with in-depth technical knowledge and experience is expected to continue to rise.
Product Managers
Product Managers own the product lifecycle, from concept to market launch and beyond. These professionals are responsible for understanding customer needs and gaps, providing vision and direction to the product, and developing its features. Product Managers must possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of the product and the industry landscape.
Overall, job security for both technical program management and product management roles can be volatile, as it largely depends on the success of the project or product they are managing. However, given the increasing demand for professionals in both roles, there is reason to believe that these positions offer better job security compared to other similar positions.