Leadership Development Programme for New Heads of Institutions

This programme aims to explore the complex leadership skills required by Heads of Institution in support of the University’s mission of achieving world-class research and teaching. New and recently appointed Heads are especially encouraged to participate.

The programme has been running successfully now for a number of years.

The programme comprises four core modules on the dates listed in the Sessions section below. Each module runs for six hours. Participants are expected to make every effort to attend all four sessions.

Module 1: The Head of Institution as Leader
The first session includes presentations from the Vice Chancellor and from a number of experienced Heads of Institution. It provides an overview of current and past theories of leadership as a context for the programme. Participants are encouraged to explore the challenges of the role and the skills required. They are given a framework to enable them to map out the field of leadership as it applies to them.

Module 2: Leading Strategy and Change
The session will consider the challenges in leading a department/team, including allocation of resources and setting priorities. It will examine the differences between operational and strategic leadership and will explore the key issues of both. Participants are encouraged to examine ways of thinking and acting strategically.

The session will start to look at change management and how to lead effectively through a period of change. It will also include presentations on leading others in a higher education environment from the PVC for Institutional and International Relations, and the Registrary.

Module 3: Leading Others through Change
This session is a continuation of Module 2 and considers the change leadership aspect of strategic implementation. It includes approaches to leading change, engaging others and dealing with resistance. Participants will discuss how their ability to lead and support staff may be enhanced through techniques such as coaching, giving constructive feedback and managing conflict.

The use of talent management and succession planning are explored and the issues of motivation and maintenance are discussed. This session includes an input from the Director of HR.

Module 4: Personal Leadership
The session uses professional actors to practise and prepare for typically challenging leadership conversations. It offers the opportunity for participants to be coached as they practise in a safe and controlled environment delivering tangible results. Participants build confidence as they master new skills, accelerating and deepening learning. The session also looks at leadership for the inclusive organisation.

Additional Briefings
In addition to the four core modules, participants will be invited to select from a number of optional 1 hour briefings. Topics include Managing the University Estate, HR Legal and Policy Issues, Financial Issues, Recruitment and Immigration, Equality and Diversity and Research Grant Applications. These will be held in January and again in June 2017, dates to be confirmed.

New and existing Heads of Institution and those about to take up Head of Institution positions

• Further details regarding PPD's eligibility criteria are available here

Number of sessions: 4

Module 1: Head of Institution as Leader

• to gain an overview of theories of leadership
• to map out the field of leadership
• to hear from current Heads of Institution
• to provide the opportunity to network with other colleagues

Module 2: Leading Strategy and Change

• to look at key strategic and operational issues
• to examine ways of thinking and acting strategically
• to look at change management

Module 3: Leading Others through Change

• to consider the change leadership aspect of strategic implementation
• to identify approaches to engaging others and dealing with resistance
• to explore the use of talent management and succession planning

Module 4: Personal Leadership

• to explore the difference between leadership and management
• to use a tool to look at individual style
• to identify areas of personal interest and how to pursue them
• to look at leadership for the inclusive organisation

• Four six hour sessions
• Participants are expected to make every effort to attend all four sessions.
• Please contact PPD if you would like to book but cannot attend all four days

• Leadership Briefing Series: Finance for Heads of Institution
• Leadership Briefing Series: Harnessing Data for Inclusive Excellence - A Focus on Workforce Related Data Driven EDI in Higher Education
• Leadership Briefing Series: Managing the University Estate
• Leadership Briefing Series: Research Funding – Essentials for Heads of Institution