Introduction
The Professional Service Directors’ Programme (formerly ‘Impact and Influence’) is aimed at Directors and Heads of Professional Services in HE, for example, Directors of Finance, Estates, HR, Student Services, IT, Research etc, who have between 1 and 3 years’ experience in the role.
The programme is supported by AHEP (formerly AUA), AUDE, BUFDG, SCONUL and UHR who have collaborated with the AHUA on devising the programme’s content and structure.
Those working at Director level are required to demonstrate expertise and deliver effectively in their functional areas, while aligning their activities with the academic landscape and contributing to the wider, ever-changing organisational agenda. As well as strategic intelligence and the ability to ‘read’ the political environment, they require confidence in communication and rapport building, and considerable self-awareness.
This programme has been designed to enhance and develop the existing leadership skills, knowledge, experience and mindset of early-career Directors and Heads within higher education professional services, to achieve greater personal impact and influence.
Who is this programme for?
Early-career Directors and Heads of professional services who have been in role for 1-3 years. It is open to both those who are new to higher education and those with experience of the sector.
The aim of the programme is to offer delegates a Masterclass introduction to governance – starting with the fundamentals, and moving on to identify the key building blocks of a high-quality system of governance. The programme is focused on the HE sector, but will also reference good (as well as weak) practice in other sectors.
- Greater understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for further success in their role and to achieve greater personal impact and influence.
- Explored leadership through various lenses: self, teams, in the context of the academic landscape and wider organisation, and leading pan-institutional strategic initiatives.
- Developed themselves in the moment through practical application, experimentation, reflection and direct feedback.
- Greater self-awareness of personal style and impact, as well as appreciation of difference.
- Clarity of thinking about areas of strength and development needs.
- Developed a diverse network of colleagues from across the sector for ongoing collaboration and inspiration.
