The Leadership Programme

Talent + training = creative leadership at Essex

Few organisations can boast as much talent as the University. Many staff are already leaders in their own disciplines. The Leadership Programme aims to combine the talent that exists within the University with the other key determinant of success: training.

The upcoming programmes will all take place in person.

Future Leaders

Programme focus

Future Leaders is the first-level leadership programme for academic staff and professional services colleagues at the University. The programme is a unique opportunity for these staff to develop their leadership skills and networks, widen their sphere of influence and find out how decisions are made across the University.

The programme is led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and is a unique opportunity to develop your leadership skills and personal networks whilst formalising a career plan. It includes Belbin team role profiling, workshops and a group project.

Audience

The target group for Future Leaders is now grade 7 and above, aligning with Race Equality Charter actions.

Sessions

Future Leaders will take place over four days and will explore what it means to be in a leadership role at Essex.

• Session 1: Governance and decision making
• Session 2: Providing direction and leading change
• Session 3: Finance and people
• Session 4: Career planning and the future

What to expect

• Belbin diagnostic will enable you to appreciate your own strengths in leadership and management and how to build those of your future teams
• Tools and techniques to help you to acquire and develop important skills for your future roles and responsibilities
• Cross-institutional understanding of leadership in practice reflecting institutional decision-making and prioritising
• A dedicated Moodle site
• A supportive environment in which to consider and plan your future career development
• Undertaking a project in collaboration with other participants

How to apply

If you would like more information, please send an email to futureleaders@essex.ac.uk. If you would like to be considered for a place on this programme you should contact your head of department or head of section for a discussion about your suitability and career aspirations. Heads of department/section may then put you forward to the appropriate Executive Dean (for Academic staff) or Assistant Registrar (for Professional Services staff) for consideration as part of the overall nomination process.

Strategic Leaders

Programme focus

This five and a half day course is led by the Vice-Chancellor and is aimed at those currently in or about to take on leadership positions, and also those who are seen as having the talent and potential to take on leadership roles in the future. It is designed to nurture top-level leadership potential and develops leadership and communication skills, strategic thinking and personal networks. It includes a 360 degree feedback exercise. 

Sessions

Strategic Leaders will take place over five and a half days and will prepare you for the transition from high-level management to operating with a more strategic focus. Sessions include:

• Institutional Leadership
• Strategic thinking and strategic planning
• Excellence in Education and Research
• Values Led Leadership
• People Leadership
• Institutional Challenges 

How to apply

If you would like more information, please send an email to strategicleaders@essex.ac.uk. If you would like to be considered for a place on this programme you should contact your head of department or head of section for a discussion about your suitability. Participants can only be nominated through their head of department/section and are expected to attend all six sessions which take place in person. There are approximately 50 places available each year.