Stepping into Leadership: Essential Skills for New Higher Education Managers

Gain essential management know-how for new higher education managers

Moving from team member to manager in higher education involves new responsibilities and challenges that require a different mindset and skill set.

Join Nottingham Business School on this flexible three-week course and you’ll build core management capabilities and the confidence to lead in higher education through sector-specific tools, reflective activities, and peer discussion.

Understand the role and mindset of modern higher education managers

You’ll first explore the transition from individual contributor to manager, understanding the expectations, responsibilities, and leadership mindset required in higher education.

Through case studies and real-world scenarios, you’ll be prepared to build credibility, manage relationships, and navigate the complexities of managing former peers and new stakeholders in academia with confidence.

Build essential people management skills for effective leadership

Then focus on developing your practical skills in communication, delegation, and delivering constructive feedback. You’ll master the fundamentals of people management suited for higher education.

Backed by the Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP) Professional Framework, you’ll learn to address real-world situations to better motivate teams and empower staff with a positive team climate.

Cultivate personal resilience and well-being to thrive as a new manager

Finally, you’ll focus on building personal resilience, managing stress, and maintaining well-being to sustain effective leadership over time.

You’ll review strategies that support healthy work-life balance and mental health in high-pressure academic settings, before walking away with a variety of techniques to fit diverse work styles.

This course is ideal for higher education professionals looking to develop practical skills and confidence aligned with AHEP professional standards for effective leadership in the sector.

This course is ideal for higher education professionals looking to develop practical skills and confidence aligned with AHEP professional standards for effective leadership in the sector.

• Apply the AHEP Professional Framework to assess their current leadership competencies and guide their ongoing professional development.
• Develop and demonstrate core management skills, including effective communication, delegation, feedback, and team-building, in alignment with professional standards.
• Engage in reflective practice to identify strengths, address development areas, and set actionable goals for future leadership growth.
• Create a personalised leadership development plan that integrates AHEP competencies and supports long-term career progression in higher education management.
• Lead confidently in a leadership role within higher education by understanding the shift in responsibilities and expectations.
• Reflect and identify strengths, address development areas, and set actionable goals for future leadership growth.