Current Leaders Level 1: CALL NOW OPEN (September 2025-January 2026)

The Current Leaders Level 1 programme has been developed by the Irish Management Institute in conjunction with UCC. CL level 1 is the more senior of the two Current Leaders Progammes.

This programme consists of 4.5 days in total - two modules (2 x 2 days) in person, followed by a concluding online morning workshop and is delivered in UCC by IMI faculty. 

In addition, peer support networks will be established. Each network will meet in between modules, working on a predetermined specific university wide project. These will be presented to senior management on the concluding morning. Each participant will engage in at least one coaching discussion with a member of the UCC internal panel or an external coach. Costs incurred if an external coach is used are to be covered locally.

NOTE: In pursuit of the UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028 and the key role of all UCC leaders and managers in enabling and delivering our goals and objectives, 'all new appointees at senior lecturer level & higher and professional & technical staff at grade 7 & higher (or equivalent) are required to participate in the most relevant IMI/UCC Senior Leadership Development Programme to them'. 

MODULE CONTENT & LEARNING OUTCOMES (with particular focus on the UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028)

Module 1 - Leadership in UCC; Strategic Leadership, Stakeholders & Culture

• Leadership in UCC – understand of the role of a leader within in academic context; effective leadership skills; understand what makes a good leader
• Psychological safety – explore the team & organisational benefits creating psychological safety
• Leader as coach – explore how to embody the coaching mindset and apply situational coaching to support ‘adopt & adapt’
• Leadership at an Organisational and Strategic Level – create a shared understanding of strategic leadership in an academic context
• External Game changers - understanding the stakeholder context and wider ecosystem
• Organisational Culture - understanding the importance of culture and its impact on leadership in a hybrid world
• Strategic Role of Leadership – lead the implementation of strategy and change within UCC in the new normal, driving performance & results through change

Module 2 - Communicating with Impact

• Communications – refine and deepen communication skills to influence own teams and build relationships across UCC and other external stakeholders in the broader higher education sector
• Conflict styles – understand different styles and their impact, using Killman conflict styles
• Powerful Conversations - help them to understand the importance of effective conversations; handling difficult conversation constructively, having feedback conversations; using role plays and scenarios to practice
• Making an impact - the power of the clarity of the communications; delivery of communications; intentional communication; asking questions
• Decision-making – explore the opportunities around decision-making at a strategic level and build awareness of own approach; importance of effective and timely senior decision making and importance of subsequent communications

Concluding morning workshop - Capstone Event

• Demonstration of application of programme learnings via presentations by each peer support network to senior management on specific university wide projects  
• Conclusion with facilitator & next steps.

NB:

-** Current Leaders Level 1 Form **

- Deadline Submission - Tuesday, 22 July 2025

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Feedback from our most recent Current Leaders Level 1 Programme - April 2024

• Found the 2 days to be great for focusing my mind on university level leadership - Higher Education is a complex organization and working with colleagues from different departments really opened my mind to how unique the challenges are at all levels from programmes teams to department to college etc.
• Programme content was excellent. Jonathan was very experienced and guided the break-out sessions so they had a lot of purpose. And we had fun.
• Outstanding, rare opportunity to reflect on my role and potential in UCC, and really appreciated getting to meet with familiar and new colleagues! Brilliantly moderated.

Contact: Anne Gannon, Staff Wellbeing & Development Manager / Mary Horgan, Staff Development Advisor / your HR Business Manager.

Updated: 12 June 2025