View the People Leaders Programme Roadmap

Launch Event (1.5 hours) 

Introduces the overall programme, expectations, and the Manchester 2035 context. Participants share personal leadership goal and meet their programme peers. 

Module 1 – Leading Self (10:00–16:00) 

Focus on personal effectiveness as a foundation for people leadership

• Explore self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience 

• Understand personal impact and leadership style 

• Begin to align individual behaviours with university values and strategic priorities 

 Module 2 – Purpose and Relatedness (10:00–16:00) 

Build the psychological conditions where people can thrive

• Intrinsic motivation

• Create psychological safety and trust in teams 

• Hold meaningful and crucial conversations 

• Recognise early indicators of stress and signpost to support 

Module 3 – Autonomy and Mastery (10:00–16:00) 

Enable growth, ownership, and capability-building

• Use coaching approaches and the GROW model in everyday management 

• Give effective, growth focused feedback 

• Delegate in ways that build capacity, autonomy, and readiness for future roles 

Module 4 – Performance Excellence (10:00–16:00) 

Strengthen performance, accountability, and development

• Set clear expectations and outcomes 

• Run effective one-to-ones and performance conversations 

• Address underperformance constructively while maintaining trust 

• Support ongoing development and career progression 

Module 5 – Agility and Optimisation (10:00–16:00) 

Equip managers to lead through change and improvement

• Build adaptability and change readiness within teams 

• Use problem solving and continuous improvement tools 

• Prioritise, streamline, and optimise processes and ways of working 

• Connect local improvement to Manchester 2035 ambitions 

Social Learning Sets (3 x 2 hours) 

Between modules, participants meet in small learning sets to: 

• Reflect on applying tools and concepts in practice 

• Share real cases, peer coach, and troubleshoot challenges 

• Capture insights and actions to bring back into subsequent modules 

• Prepare and deliver a short presentation in the final set, sharing reflections on their personal development and impact throughout the programme and the implications for their ongoing people leadership practice

Impact Event (2.5 hours) 

The closing session consolidates learning and evaluates impact

• Reflect on behaviour changes and outcomes since the launch;

• Share examples of improved practice and team impact;

• Review alignment with Manchester 2035 and local priorities;

• Agree next steps for continued development and peer support;

By the end of this programme, you will:

• Understand and apply your personal strengths and emotional intelligence to lead authentically, improve your impact, and build resilience as a people leader.
• Create inclusive and psychologically safe teams through effective communication, coaching, and feedback techniques.
• Confidently manage performance by setting clear expectations, holding constructive conversations, and supporting development.
• Navigate and thrive through change, applying principles of agility, adaptability, and continuous improvement to lead your team effectively during transitions.
• Align your leadership approach with the University’s values and Manchester 2035 strategy, embedding best practices into everyday management.

Programme Format

Delivered fully in-person at venues across the Oxford Road campus, the programme is facilitated by Talent Development colleagues, including Specialists and Senior Specialists. Their expertise ensures that the learning experience is grounded in the University’s context, aligning with our values, culture, and strategic priorities.

Workshops are highly interactive, incorporating group discussions, individual activities, and role-play exercises to encourage practical application of learning.

A virtual equivalent will launch later this year for colleagues who are unable to attend in person or who prefer a virtual learning environment.

To discuss any accessibility requirements you may have and how we can accommodate these, please contact the Talent Development team by emailing OD@manchester.ac.uk

Download timetable for all cohorts

Download timetable for all cohorts

Benefits for Participants

• Practical tools and techniques for managing people effectively.
• Increased confidence in handling complex conversations and change.
• Improved resilience and wellbeing strategies for sustainable leadership.
• Opportunities to network and learn from peers across the University.
• Insight into your unique strengths and leadership style through completion of the CliftonStrengths Assessment.

Participant Criteria & Eligibility

This programme is designed for colleagues in line management or supervisory roles who manage individual team members, including academic, research, technical, and professional services colleagues.

Eligibility:

• You must have line management or supervisory responsibility for colleagues
• You must obtain approval from your Line Manager before applying, for:

• Release from your role to attend the full programme
• Confirmation that the learning outcomes align with your development priorities discussed in your PDR
• For Researchers only programme – applicants should be research colleagues on fixed-term contracts (Post Doctoral Research Assistants, Associates, Research Fellows) who have responsibility for the line management, supervision or development of other colleagues. 

We will ask for your line manager’s contact details within the application so we can invite them to the launch event if you are successful in securing a place on the programme.

During application, please specify your preferred cohort dates. Please check dates carefully to ensure full attendance. Session swaps cannot be accommodated, except in extenuating circumstances.