UCC Women's Leadership Development Programme (Mid-Career)

INTRODUCTION

This internal Women's Leadership Development Programme is a specialist leadership pilot designed for mid-career women across all staff categories at UCC.

Grounded in an internationally recognised model (Kaleidoscope Career Model), the programme recognises that women's careers are rarely linear and that leadership development must reflect the realities of balancing ambition, professional growth, personal responsibilities, wellbeing, and changing career aspirations.

Participants will strengthen their leadership capability, develop greater career agency, and build influential networks across the University.

Who Is This Programme For?

This programme is designed for women who are established in their careers and are ready and want to actively shape their next career chapter.   We welcome applications from women who have not previously participated in Aurora or other Women Only Leadership Programmes.  Applicants from all staff categories are invited. You may currently be in a leadership role or demonstrate leadership without formal authority.  Twenty places will be available.

The programme is particularly relevant for women who:

• Have significant professional experience and responsibility
• Are considering their next career step
• Wish to increase their leadership impact and visibility
• Want to strengthen their confidence and influence
• Are navigating competing professional and personal demands
• Feel their career has plateaued or requires renewed direction
• Are ready to take on stretch opportunities and broader organisational influence

What Makes This Programme Different?

Unlike many leadership programmes that focus primarily on promotion or management skills, this programme recognises that leadership success means different things at different stages of a career.

The programme is built around three themes:

1. Authenticity - Leading in a way that is aligned with your values, strengths, identity and purpose.
2. Balance - Creating a sustainable approach to career, wellbeing and personal responsibilities.
3. Challenge - Seeking growth, influence, stretch opportunities and meaningful progression.

The programme acknowledges the realities many women experience in higher education, including:

• leadership without formal authority
• career plateauing or transition
• caring responsibilities
• institutional and cultural barriers
• competing demands on time, energy and attention

An element of this programme is the opportunity to lead an institutional project of strategic importance to UCC.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

• Develop a strong and authentic leadership identity
• Build confidence and influence
• Learn how to navigate complex organisational environments
• Strengthen strategic thinking and decision-making capability
• Expand professional networks and sponsorship opportunities
• Work with a senior mentor
• Complete a career development plan for continued progression

Programme Structure - The programme consists of 4 modules with a concluding morning workshop.

Mentoring and Peer/Action Learning will be an intrinsic part of this 4-5 month programme.

Participants are required to:

• Attend all module workshops & action learning sets
• Engage fully in mentoring and action learning activities
• Develop a personal career strategy and development plan
• Engage in follow-up evaluation activities after programme completion
• Have the support of your line manager & discuss with them key learnings, how you will apply them & your next professional development steps

Action Learning Groups: Each group will work collaboratively to address the question: "What lasting contribution could your cohort make to support the development and advancement of women at UCC?".  Presentations will take place on Tuesday, 25th May (09:30 - 12:00).

Application Process & Cost

Twenty (20) places are available, with interested staff applying by Monday, 9 November 2026 via this application form. A participant's local unit will be required to contribute €350 to the cost of the programme. 

Criteria to apply:

• Have worked in UCC at least one year
• Identify as a woman and be at mid-career stage from any UCC staff category
• Be committed to your professional leadership development
• Have clear development objective(s)
• Commit to full participation & engagement
• Managerial support

Please fill in this APPLICATION FORM and submit by Monday, 9 November 2026, addressing the following questions.

• Why are you applying for the Women's Leadership Development Programme at this point in your career? What has prompted you to put yourself forward (word limit 150-200 words)?
• Describe one leadership challenge, opportunity, or career goal you'd like to work on during the programme. What would success look like for you by the end of it? (word limit 200-250)
• This programme brings together a cohort of women leaders. What do you hope to gain from learning in this environment, and what experience or perspective would you bring to the group (150-200 words)?
• How do you plan to apply what you learn in your current role? How might you share it with colleagues and the wider UCC community? (word limit 100-150 words)

Any questions? Email Mary Horgan.