Ireland’s higher education sector is undergoing rapid transformation. Traditional universities are now joined by technological universities, private institutions, and colleges. This has created a more diverse and competitive landscape. At the same time, government priorities such as inclusivity, sustainability, employability, and internationalisation demand collaborative, cross-sector leadership.
The Strategic Leadership Programme is designed to equip current and aspiring senior leaders (academic and professional professional service leaders) with the skills, insight and confidence needed to meet these challenges head-on. The programme embraces a systems approach to leadership, helping participants make sense of interconnected challenges and lead effectively across organisational boundaries.
Through a blend of interactive workshops, coaching, action learning sets, and a residential module, participants gain practical tools, build strategic peer networks, and develop fresh thinking tailored to the Irish higher education context. Leaders leave better prepared to respond to complexity, influence change, and drive institutional success.
If you would like further information about this programme, please complete our enquiry form.
Bookings now closed
Bookings for the current cohort have now closed. If you would like to register your interest in future cohorts, register your interest by clicking below.
Facilitator of the Advance HE Strategic Leadership Programme Ireland Karise Hutchinson, speaks to Dr Joseph Ryan from TUS on the challenges facing senior leaders in Irish higher education, and the value of the Advance HE Strategic Leadership Programme to academics in those positions.
What participants sayA great programme which has supported me to reflect on my existing leadership skills and style, develop new approaches for the future, and build my overall confidence. The expert facilitation helped us to develop a wonderful cohort - generous, kind and supportive, and I'm confident that we'll stay in touch as an ongoing support network."Catriona Bell, Professor of Learning and Teaching Enhancement, Director of Academic Development and Learning Enhancement, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Aims and outcomes
Programme Aims
The Strategic Leadership Programme Ireland strengthens leadership across the higher education sector by:
- Building confidence to lead in complex, fast-changing environments
- Embedding a systems approach to address sector-wide challenges
- Fostering collaboration through a shared leadership language
- Supporting transformation aligned with national priorities
- Equipping leaders to apply fresh thinking to real institutional needs
What Participants Will Gain
Through a blended and highly practical experience, participants will gain:
- Clear insight into the evolving Irish HE landscape
- Tools and approaches for confident, strategic leadership
- Practical application of systems thinking
- Enhanced skills in collaboration, influence and engagement
- A peer network for continued support and shared learning
- The ability to lead with clarity, purpose and impact
Who is the programme for?
This programme will typically benefit Deans, Associate Deans, Heads of Departments and Directors leading critical functions or strategic priorities across institutional boundaries.
It is designed for all senior leaders; both academic and professional services; who are driving strategic, cross-institutional or cross-sector initiatives.
The programme is delivered in a blended format (comprising virtual and face-to-face elements) with six sessions over the course of two months and consists of an informal introductory networking session, two one-to-one coaching sessions (pre- and post- programme), four full-day modules (the second two delivered as a 2-day in person residential) and a one day, online action learning set.
Each of the four modules will include to following elements to help participants consolidate their learning:
- Approximately 2 hours of asynchronous pre- and post-session activities (for example, screencasts, articles, undertaking a self-guided group activity)
- 4.5 hours of synchronous online activity (split across two sessions), or in person (split across morning and afternoon sessions), with refreshment/lunch breaks and 1.5 hours of asynchronous activity scheduled between these when online
- Approximately 30 minutes of post-module reflective activity.
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How is the programme delivered?
Module dates and information
Introductory networking session (online)
21 October 2025
Networking Sessions are designed to provide an opportunity to meet fellow participants and the facilitators in a relaxed and informal online setting and start to engage with the technology.
Networking Sessions are designed to provide an opportunity to meet fellow participants and the facilitators in a relaxed and informal online setting and start to engage with the technology.
Pre-programme coaching session (online)
3-5 November 2025
Participants will have the opportunity to work individually with a coach over two bookable 1.5 hour 121 sessions, one at the start of the programme and another upon completion.
Participants will have the opportunity to work individually with a coach over two bookable 1.5 hour 121 sessions, one at the start of the programme and another upon completion.
Module 1: Engaging with complexity (online)
20 November 2025
What are the trends and challenges coming towards the sector that we need to put back on our radar after Covid-19 has swept all before it? What can organisational psychology tell us about leading in these fast-paced and unstable times?
What are the trends and challenges coming towards the sector that we need to put back on our radar after Covid-19 has swept all before it? What can organisational psychology tell us about leading in these fast-paced and unstable times?
Module 2: Leadership responses (online)
21 November 2025
How can we lead when we don’t yet have the answers? How do we manage the tensions that inevitably arise in complex systems? How can leaders put in place healthy rhythms and practices to sustain the demands of leadership?
How can we lead when we don’t yet have the answers? How do we manage the tensions that inevitably arise in complex systems? How can leaders put in place healthy rhythms and practices to sustain the demands of leadership?
Action Learning Set (online)
28 November 2025
A half-day of facilitated group coaching to bring fresh perspectives and inspiration for solutions to your real and intractable leadership challenges.
A half-day of facilitated group coaching to bring fresh perspectives and inspiration for solutions to your real and intractable leadership challenges.
Module 3 and 4: Leading complex institutions (in person 2 day/1 night residential)
1-2 December 2025
How can we lead higher education strategy better? What can organisational development thinking teach us about enacting change in complex systems? What fresh approaches can we design by re-imagining our institutions?
How can we lead higher education strategy better? What can organisational development thinking teach us about enacting change in complex systems? What fresh approaches can we design by re-imagining our institutions?
Post-programme coaching session (online)
8-9, 12 December 2025
The second bookable 1.5 hours, 121 sessions to be taken upon completion of the programme.
The second bookable 1.5 hours, 121 sessions to be taken upon completion of the programme.
One-to-one coaching
Participants will have the opportunity to work with a coach over two sessions at either end of the programme. One-to-one coaching offers a confidential, non-judgemental, reflective space to consider leadership impact, embed learning, challenge unhelpful mindsets, and try new ideas on for size.
Our facilitators are qualified and experienced in coaching leaders in the higher education sector and will work with you first to design coaching objectives, and then help you work towards achieving them during your sessions. Whether you have benefitted from coaching before, or are new to the process, it is an important opportunity for focused reflection and learning entirely for you and your leadership development in a supportive environment.
Delivery team
Interview with Hayley Burns: Strategic Leadership Programme
Hayley Burns, Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales, shares her experience of the Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) in this interview.
Share and celebrate your achievements with digitally recognised learning
For much of our portfolio the learning of event attendees and programme participants and conference, symposia and colloquia presenters will be digitally recognised.
This makes it easy for you to share and celebrate your achievements by adding them to your email signature or including them in your social profiles including Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Your learning certificates can also be easily verified and downloaded as a pdf.
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