Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership

Nottingham University Business School are excited to have launched the Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership which began with a two day residential on 6 July 2023 at The Jubilee Hotel and Conference Centre.

This Executive Education pilot programme uses expertise, experience and sector relationships to offer current and aspiring strategic technical leaders the opportunity to develop key skills for the critical roles they hold in their organisations. The role of strategic technical leaders is critical in delivering technical strategies in institutions and this programme will expose and equip delegates to lead this agenda. 

The programme which includes a blend of in-person and online interactive workshops from July to November 2023 and has been co-developed by Dr Hannah Noke from Nottingham University Business School and Dr Kelly Vere, MBE, Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham. Kelly founded and leads the Technician Commitment – a sector wide initiative to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for the technical community across higher education and research which currently stands at over 115 institutional signatories and sector supporters. Dr Hannah Noke is the Programme lead. Hannah’s research includes understanding the role of technicians in knowledge exchange, where she has been successful in gaining research funding to support this work from ESRC and UKRI.

“We believe the Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership to be the first of its kind globally – a leadership programme that offers current and aspiring technical leaders in higher education and research the chance to expand their knowledge, grow their skillset and network with other sector professionals,” said Kelly.

“It was fantastic to host our first residential of this brand new programme earlier this month, and to bring together a diverse group of technical leaders from across the sector.  We are looking forward to working with them all on their technical leadership journeys over the next few weeks.” 

Participants are leaders and aspiring technical leaders from across the UK’s HE sector. Topics covered as part of the programme include:

• Transforming the Technical Profession: Shifting Narratives and Building a Positive Culture
• Trends and Transformations: Exploring Hot Topics in Strategic Technical Leadership
• Building successful business cases and develop your abilities to make strategic and sustainable decisions   
• Establishing your ‘personal brand’ and professional identity to your networks  
• Understanding procurement; principles, tenders and contracts 
• Enhancing the technical teaching and student experience 
• Understanding current affairs in HE / the HE context for Technical Leaders 
• UK Policy and government landscape in HE and research 
• Networking and Advocacy to influence policy and organisations 
• Developing an understanding of Finance / Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) 
• Institutional structures and infrastructure 
• Understanding university metrics –to maximise impact 
• Enhancing understanding of Knowledge Exchange 
• Developing skills to further develop yourself as a strategic technical leader to manage people, operations and organisational change

The new UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy launches 1 August 2023 and builds on the Technician Commitment to advance the landscape and culture for the technical community.