Following the success of our first cohort in 25/26, we are delighted to open applications for a second cohort of the NAMSS Leadership and Management Development Programme (LMDP) which will start in January 2027.
In an ever-changing FE and HE landscape, leadership in Student Services has never been more vital and the programme has been designed to give all participants an in-depth understanding of key areas of leadership which will support their professional development as Student Services Managers or aspiring leaders. The programme is aimed at staff who are early in their career, keen to develop their knowledge, networks and competencies, and who want to upskill in their career path.
The LMDP will bring together NAMSS members from across the country for sessions that will include taught material, interactive workshops and activities, and in-person engagement. We want the cohort to be able to share and learn from each other’s experiences and institutional approach, as well as learners conducting their own individual research projects and presentations as part of the programme structure.
Coaching, development and mentoring support has been built into the programme design through dedicated 1:1 slots, which will take place with each learner at least twice across the programme length. These sessions will be with Counterculture trainers and/or NAMSS Executive Board members, and are designed to support learners to reflect on the goals they will set for themselves at the cohort launch, and check in on progress for their personal research projects.
The 14-month development journey will cover key content, including:
- History of FE
- Strategic thinking and influencing
- People management and challenging conversations
- Governance and reporting
- Policies and financial literacy
- Quality assurance and measuring impact
- Personal growth and development
Applications are now open and will close at 9am on Monday 9 November 2026.
🚀 Empowering the Next Generation of Student Services Leaders
