As a new or established leader or manager, there is a range of development opportunities available to support you, including workshop based programmes for leaders, managers and project managers as well as a range of resources for self-directed study.
Action Learning Sets are a development intervention that can support managers as they navigate through change and or in support of wider management challenges.
Action Learning is an approach to solving live challenges that involve taking action and reflecting upon the results, so helping to improve the problem-solving process. A group of people (a set) meet regularly over a period of time, support one another in finding resolutions to challenges by listening, asking questions, providing feedback with the objective of individual identifying action. Action Learning ultimately results in shared personal and professional growth.
Action Learning offers the time and space for members to work together on live problems, which enable problem-holders to identify and commit to tangible actions. They build on the theory and discussions that take place in a training context, thus embedding, putting into practice and maximizing learning.
Who is it for?
Professional services managers.
Want to know more?
If you are new to Action Learning and want to find out more you can access a Guide to Action Learning or watch this short video.
You will need to commit to participating in all meeting dates (below) and to bringing live challenges to the group as well as actively supporting wider member of your group to identify actions. The launch event will explain the process.
Dates: There are currently no dates scheduled for this workshop. Please contact OD to register your interest.
Apply
Applications for this cohort are now closed. To register your interest in future sets, please contact OD.
Any queries, please contact the OD team on od@lancaster.ac.uk
Harnessing talent for Lancaster’s future success.
This flagship Leadership Programme has been updated to reflect the current changing environment. It provides a development route for those aspiring to become Lancaster’s leaders of the future.
Audience
This programme is designed for aspiring and ambitious academic and professional service staff, typically in roles graded 8 or above who already have some management and leadership responsibilities (e.g. Principal Investigators, Professional Service Heads) and at least 2 years’ experience of working at Lancaster.
The aims of the programme are to enable participants to:
Is this programme for me?
Participation in the programme will be by application, with full support of your line manager and your Dean or Director. Agreement may be needed from a Faculty committee. A talent criteria matrix has been devised and is available to potential applicants and their managers to enable them to make decisions about the appropriateness of this programme. These criteria will support the decisions around whether the applicant:
The applicant should have the ambition to occupy a more senior role and/or take on additional leadership responsibilities in the short-medium term; should have given thought to the benefits they would derive from the programme and be willing to commit to the requirements of it. With the backing of their manager, they should also be in a position to select a suitably stretching strategic rather than operational objective (linked to but not necessarily directly derived from their PDR) that will be enhanced through participation in this programme (thereby testing out and demonstrating the learning gained from this leadership development opportunity and its impact on the institution).
Programme structure:
There are currently no dates for the next cohort.
Application
Applications for this cohort are not currently open. To register your interest, please contact OD.
There is a comprehensive range of resources available in the Management Resources - self-directed study section.
The Head of Department (HoD) development programme aims to equip new HoDs, through a tailored programme of blended development interventions, with the knowledge, underpinning understanding and associated skills and behaviours aligned to the role.
The programme is appropriate for newly appointed HoDs, existing HoD’s, deputy HoDs and academics who may be considering applying for the role within the next year.
On appointment, all new HoDs will have a meeting with an Organisational Developer to discuss their development needs, outline the development offer available and agree a tailored programme of activities.
The development programme comprises the following elements outlined in the Head of Department development opportunities handbook.
HoD Workshops
This workshop series covers the essentials that incoming HoDs need to know. Dates and times are shown below. HoD’s will be invited to these workshops by Organisational Development. The workshops are also appropriate for colleagues who may be considering the role of HoD, if you have a colleague they might be suitable for please ask them to contact OD.
For session descriptions, please see the .
HR System Demonstration - There are no sessions currently scheduled, a recording is available upon request. Please contact OD.
Health and Safety - The Health and Safety team will be in touch with HoD’s directly to arrange this session.
Academic Promotions - TBC
Academic Probation - There are no sessions currently scheduled, a recording is available upon request. Please contact OD.
Student Support Structures - Tuesday 25th February 2025, 1pm-2pm (In-Person)
Finance and Budgeting - TBC
Legal Responsibilities - Corporate Governance - Friday 17th January 2025, 1.30pm-3.30pm (In-Person)
Legal Responsibilities - Staff and Students - Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 10am-12.30pm (In-Person)
Research Support
The Research Support Office provide Information and Guidance specifically for HoD's, please see the useful documents linked from this webpage.
For specific advice and guidance please contact your Faculty Contacts. The Faculty Research Development Partnership Manager will conduct an induction with all new HoD's.
For general enquiries regarding HoD development, please email OD.
A Managers Handbook has been developed to support leaders and managers to feel effective in their role, with appropriate signposts for further information and support. The handbook will be useful if you are a new Head of Department and will be a key point of reference beyond.
There is a comprehensive range of resources available in the Management Resources - self-directed study section.
The Leader@Lancaster programme recognises that leaders are found across the University in different roles and at different levels.
The Leader@Lancaster programme aims to develop leaders to:
Do you lead a defined area of work, activity or project that requires you to delegate to others who are not necessarily in your team? Does your role require you to influence others across your department, faculty or the institution? If you answer yes to these questions, the Leader@Lancaster programme is likely to be appropriate.
The programme is typically (but not exclusively) aimed towards leaders in grades 6 and 8.
If you are looking to develop your management skills then you may like to consider the Manager@Lancaster programme designed for managers with operational line management responsibilities for staff, typically (but not exclusively) aimed towards managers in grades 6 - 7/8 and is appropriate for both Professional and Academic staff.
The programme consists of the following elements:
Introductory workshop: 9 January 2025 9.30am - 12pm (Face to Face)
Workshop 1- The Leadership Challenge: 6 February 2025 9.30am - 1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: 26 February 2025 (Online) Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 2- The Inclusive Leader: 11 March 2025 9.30am - 1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: 27 March 2025 (Online) Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 3- Leading Change: 15 May 2025 9.30am - 1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: 3 June 2025 (Online) Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 4- Leading with Impact and Influence: 17 June 2025 9.30am - 1pm (Face to Face)
Coaching session - This will be about a month after the final workshop. Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Consolidation Event – 17 July 2025 10am-12pm (Face to Face)
Introductory workshop: 13th May 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm (Face to Face)
Workshop 1- The Leadership Challenge: 12th June 2025, 9.30am-1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: 24th June 2025 (Online) Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 2- The Inclusive Leader: 9th July 2025, 9.30am-1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: Wednesday 23rd July (Online) Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 3- Leading Change: 4th September, 9.30am-1pm (Face to Face)
Discussion Groups: Thursday 2nd October Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Workshop 4- Leading with Impact and Influence: 14th October 2025, 9.30am-1pm (Face to Face)
Coaching session - This will be about a month after the final workshop. Time slots will be allocated to you once the programme has begun.
Applications for this cohort are not currently open. To register your interest, please contact OD.
Manager@Lancaster is a development programme with a difference. Tailored to the needs of Lancaster University managers the programme supports and challenges managers to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to build and develop high performing teams.
The programme incorporates a range of activities that are practical and highly relevant to the managers role. The programme has been running for several years and has consistently received excellent reviews and has supported managers in enhancing their practice and finding solutions to common management challenges.
Manager@Lancaster is designed for staff with operational line management responsibilities, typically (but not exclusively) aimed towards managers in grades 5 - 7/8. and is appropriate for both professional services and academic staff.
Your responsibilities should include formal line management of staff that typically includes the recruitment and induction of staff and conducting PDRs.
For team supervisors and those aspiring to be a line manager in the future there is a Stepping into Management workshop.
Please ensure that you have the full support from your line manager before applying for this programme. There is a significant time and effort commitment, to attend workshops and to complete the variety of activities associated with the programme. However, the payback is equally as great, as the phrase goes… ‘you get out what you put in’. Please note that you will have to do some work outside of the workshops in order to complete the presentations, we recommend you start this as soon as possible after starting the programme.
Workshops
Project
Consolidation event: 8th July 2025,10am-12pm (Face to Face)
Applications for this cohort are not currently open. To register your interest, please contact OD.
To support managers OD has a Manager Induction, which is targeted at those new to being a manager at Lancaster University. It could also be of value to those who have been a LU manager for some time.
This flyer explains the structure of the induction
The induction is designed to be flexible and customisable, recognising that new managers at the University will have a variance in experience and skills that they bring to the role. The programme is aimed at anyone with management responsibility for professional services, academic and researcher staff.
The starting point for the induction is the Being a manager at Lancaster University workshop. Opened by Andrew Barker, Director of Library Services, the workshop has the following aims:
To make managers aware of the range of development opportunities that are open to them to support their management priorities;
To initiate reflections on the development needs of new managers.
There are a number of workshops being scheduled that will be specific to managing in the Lancaster University context. Workshop titles and dates are shown below:
Being a manager at Lancaster University
Wednesday 8th January 2025, 10am-12pm (In-Person)
Tuesday 20th May 2025, 10am-12pm (In-Person)
Promoting staff wellbeing
Tuesday 11th February 2025, 10am-12pm (In-Person)
Tuesday 10th June 2025, 1.30pm-3.30pm (In-Person)
People and culture plan
Tuesday 11th March 2025, 2pm-3.30pm (In-Person)
Wednesday 2nd July 2025, 10am-11.30am (In-Person)
Equality, diversity and inclusion in practice
Thursday 27th February 2025, 1pm-3pm (In-Person)
See also -Managers Handbook- a reference book for managers and leaders new to their role and a reference point thereafter.
This workshop is appropriate for anyone that may need to have one-to-one conversations such as about poor performance, student conduct, or negative attitudes.
At the end of the workshop you will be able to:
Dates
The sessions are to be held online via MS Teams. Please click on one of the links below to book your place.
Monday 20th January 2025, 10am-12.30pm (Online)
Tuesday 4th March 2025, 10am-12.30pm (Online)
Thursday 22nd May 2025, 10am-12.30pm (Online)
Additional resources
There is a comprehensive range of resources available in the Management Resources - self-directed study section.
This programme enables participants to develop the skills associated with scoping, planning, delivering and evaluating projects through the use of a range of tools and techniques. Learn how to plan projects, meet deadlines, interpret quality standards and plan to meet budget constraints.
The programme includes:
Delivered via 3 half-day workshops supported by a follow up small group action learning session where participants present their project findings and can address individual project management queries.
Participants are required to commit to participating in all elements of the programme.
Staff with operational project responsibilities, either managing or working on a project.
Workshop 1: 13th February, 9.30am-12.30pm (Face to Face)
Workshop 2: 26th February, 9.30am-12.30pm (Face to Face)
Workshop 3: 5th March, 9.30am-12.30pm (Face to Face)
Action Learning Set: 26th March (Face to Face) You will be allocated a 90-minute time slot throughout the day.
To apply for the programme please fill out this application form no later than Sunday the 8th December 2024.
The role of the PI (and CoI) is a vital one, both for the success of the University itself, but also in enhancing and supporting the career development and personal growth of the researchers, postdocs and PhD researchers employed within any given research project.
The concordat to support the career development of researchers identifies three areas to which PIs (and universities more generally) must pay specific attention:
Understanding good employment practice
To support our PIs specifically-tailored sessions which offer a practical mix of Lancaster-based information and leadership considerations are being held. These will be linked both to the new Concordat, grounded in good research practice and based on feedback from existing PIs about the needs and gaps that they have identified in their own practice.
Tuesday 25th February 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (In-Person)
These webinars aim to support PDR Reviewers in conducting relevant and quality PDR conversations with their reviewees.
It concentrates on the skills and behaviours required to facilitate meaningful conversations.
Please complete the PDR E-Learning prior to attending and access the PDR webpages and FAQs for guidance on the process, setting objectives and planning development.
There are currently no dates scheduled. To register your interest please contact OD.
The University’s aim is that all candidates have a positive and equitable experience at all stages of recruitment and selection process.
This workshop aims to ensure that participants are equipped with the understanding, knowledge and skills to undertake fair and equitable recruitment and selection, ensuring that all candidates have a positive experience, and the best candidate is ultimately selected.
All panel chairs and all members of the recruiting panel are required to participate in Recruiting the Best training prior to engaging in any recruitment activity at the University.
Panel chairs need to attend the Recruiting the best workshop. The workshops are held throughout the year. Panel chairs that have previously attended a workshop are required to take the Recruiting the Best online refresher course every three years to be kept abreast of best practice and legislative changes.
Panel members can participate in Recruiting the Best training in one of two ways. They can either attend the Recruiting the best workshop, if places are available, or they can complete the Recruiting the Best online refresher course as an alternative.
The refresher online training is to be completed every three years to be kept abreast of best practice and legislative changes.'
This workshop ensures that all those involved in recruitment:
The sessions in 2024/25 will be a full day and held face to face. Please click on the links below to book your place. Please note that places on these events are limited and in high demand. We ask that you only book a place if you have recruitment activity coming up in the near future.
Wednesday 22nd January 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (In-person)
Thursday 6th March 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (In-person)
Wednesday 14th May 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (In-person)
Wednesday 18th June 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (In-person)
You are recommended to read the Lancaster University Recruitment & Selection Guidelines, available on the people section of the staff intranet and prepare any questions this raises – there will be a short opportunity with a HR Partner within the workshop to help you answer these.
This online training is designed to help staff develop the best practice for recruiting and vetting individuals working and volunteering with children and adults at risk. This session is targeted at line managers of staff in roles where they could potentially be working with adults or children at risk and all roles which require a DBS check.
Dates:
There are currently no dates scheduled for this workshop. Please contact OD to register your interest.
This development is appropriate for anyone who is interested in taking on a management role in the future or for those who supervise staff on a formal or informal basis, such as a duty manager or shift supervisor.
This course will give you:
An understanding of the role of a manager/supervisor including expectations around the role and problem solving
The ability to set clear expectations of performance for your team, including holding people to account and having difficult conversations
A better understanding of communication skills
This workshop also allows for smaller groups to discuss concerns and share experiences in a way which is meaningful and support reflection of how to apply the learning in practice.
If you have a formal line management role (i.e. you conduct PDRs for staff) please consider the MANAGER@Lancaster programme.
Dates
Visit the Career Management microsite to take stock of where you are now in your career and help you to plan for the future.
There are a number of resources to support leaders and managers throughout the different stages of any change:
Leading your teams through change (LinkedIn Learning)
Learn the change curve (LinkedIn Learning)
Five Reasons why we dislike change (LinkedIn Learning)
For more information, please see Networks and Communities of Practice.
The following Leadership and Management apprenticeships are available:
This is suitable for a team leader/supervisor or could be suitable for an individual that is looking to move into a line management role in the future.
This is suitable for Operations or Departmental Managers, who have direct line management responsibility for teams and/or projects, and achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisation's strategy. They should be accountable to a more senior manager or a business owner.
Comprehensive information on apprenticeships for staff wishing to begin an apprenticeship and their managers is available on the intranet pages.
A number of providers offer these apprenticeships of which Lancaster and Morecambe College are one.
Managers Handbook - a reference book for managers and leaders new to their role and a reference point thereafter.
New Manager Foundations (LinkedIn Learning)
Questions to ask as a new manager (article)
How to have productive 1:1 meetings (LinkedIn Learning)
A guide to effective team workload management (article)
Following the five feedback steps (video)
Giving and receiving feedback (course)
Stop using the feedback sandwich (article)
Project Management Simplified (LinkedIn Learning)
View the university's recruitment toolkit. The toolkit is designed to walk you through the full lifecycle of the recruitment process.
Building Resilience as a Leader (LinkedIn Learning)
