The article presents a theoretical model and empirical data of the study of the competency profile of the head of the university educational program. We developed a research strategy to study the importance of professional competencies that allow us to successfully implement and develop university-level educational programs. A brief review of publications in the subject area under study made it possible to describe the theoretical model of the competency profile of the head of the university educational program and to identify empirical indicators for the preparation of expert survey questions. The expert survey was attended by 55 people, representatives of the teaching staff who manage educational programs of higher education. The survey database was processed in the SPSS Statistics program (version 23). Assessment of the importance of relevant professional competencies of educational program managers allows us to identify areas of advanced training and training programs for this category of university employees. The results of the study contribute to the improvement of the university’s work, aimed at the development of relevant educational programs of higher education.