Who Should Attend
The Aspiring Registrar and COO Programme is aimed at individuals actively considering a move into the most senior Professional Services position in the university, a role which may be titled Registrar, Chief Operating Officer, Head of University Administration, or University Secretary. It offers participants a unique opportunity to explore this diverse and challenging role, and to reflect on their readiness for this, or indeed other leadership positions.
The programme is suitable for those currently working at the level of Director/Head of any of the principal Administrative and Professional Service functions or Deputy Registrar. The nature of this programme means that it will appeal to those wishing to take stock of their career and maximise their potential.
Participants are likely to have been operating at their current level for 3 to 5 years, be reporting to the Registrar / COO and be on the cusp of applying for a more senior role.
Programme Focus
- Understanding the variety of ways in which the Registrar role is carried out across the sector and the opportunities this presents;
- Assessing your readiness for such a leadership position and the importance of having the right ‘fit’ in terms of role and institution;
- Exploring the complex set of relationships between senior figures in the university structure;
- Increasing your self-awareness and the understanding of your strengths and development needs.
Programme Includes
- A development one-to-one session with a Programme Director at both the start and finish of the programme;
- A residential programme with both practical input and space for reflection;
- Contributions from both newly appointed and more experienced AHUA members (COOs, Registrars, University Secretaries), as well as a Vice Chancellor and Chair of Council, to provide a rounded view of what to expect in these roles;
- Four full-day action-learning sessions – facilitated by an experienced coach;
- A workshop on preparing to apply for your next role in order to maximise your chances of success.
Programme Structure
The programme takes place across 7.5 days over 12 months. It begins with an introductory meeting with all participants, followed by a one-to-one meeting with a Programme Director (who is also a professional coach), providing the chance to prepare for the programme and explore your specific development needs. This is followed by a residential programme, four action learning sets and a workshop dedicated to equipping participants for the appointment process.
Dates of the 2025 Programme
We have adjusted the program schedule for this year to reflect previous feedback and, importantly, to try to reduce additional costs for participants. We have slightly increased the use of online content for the action learning sets to reduce the amount of time away from the office and the costs of traveling to and from venues. We have retained the core residential and workshops as being in person as we know that participants value the chance to have more interactive elements and to establish in person networks.
- Welcome session: online. Wednesday 22 January 2025, 14.00 – 16.00.
- One-to-one session: a two-hour session online, w/c 24 February 2025, times to be agreed.
- Residential programme: in person, at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre. Tuesday 25 March 2025, 13.00 to Thursday 27 March, 16.00. Overnight accommodation and dinners are covered by the Programme fee.
- Four action learning sets:
- Wednesday 30 April 2025, 9.30-13.00, online
- Wednesday 25 June 2025, 9.00 – 16.00, location tba
- Wednesday 10 September, 9.30 – 13.00, online
- Wednesday 14 January 2026, 9.00 – 16.00, location tba
- Workshop: in person, location tba. Wednesday 12 November 2025, 9.00 – 16.00, with dinner the night before (dinner and overnight accommodation to be paid for by participants).
- One-to-one session: a two-hour session online, w/c 19 January 2026, times to be agreed.
Bursaries for Black/Global Majority/Diaspora members of staff
The AHUA is offering two members of staff, who identify as Black/Global Majority/Diaspora, the opportunity to receive a bursary of £2,000 (realised as a reduction in the course fee).
What previous participants have said…
Programme Fee
Learn more from programme facilitators: Kim Newton-Woof and Rachel Holmes