Managers Need to Know - September 2026

07 Sep 2026

A message from Ele Morrissey, Executive Director of People

Our strategy, From Manchester for the world, sets out an ambitious direction for the next decade. It describes the kind of university we want to be by 2035, and the difference we want to make for our students, colleagues, and partners. But a strategy only becomes meaningful through the choices, conversations and actions that happen every day across our teams.

That is why your role as people leaders and managers is so important. You help colleagues understand priorities, make sense of change, connect their work to our shared ambitions and create the conditions for teams to do their best work. Delivery will not always be straightforward. It will require clarity, focus, collaboration and thoughtful leadership, as well as space to listen, adapt and learn as we go.

Through this monthly message, I want to support you in that role. Each edition will share a leadership perspective on what is happening across the University, why it matters, and where managers can help translate strategy into local conversations and action. The aim is to make this space practical, timely and relevant, helping you feel informed and equipped to lead your teams with confidence.

As Executive Director of People I see every day how important clear communication, shared accountability and a strong colleague experience are to helping people understand how their contribution matters.

As we move into this next phase of delivery, Managers Need to Know will continue to bring together the key updates, actions and information you need while strengthening the link between those updates and our wider ambitions. 

We hope it supports you to lead meaningful conversations in your teams and helps colleagues see how, together, we are shaping the future of Manchester.

Ele