Develop the leadership confidence, people-management skills and strategic thinking to lead teams effectively.
Moving into management, taking on greater responsibility or leading a team through change brings a different set of challenges.
Alongside delivering results, managers need to motivate and develop people, manage performance, navigate difficult conversations and make decisions that support both their teams and their organisations.
The UCD Professional Academy Diploma in Leadership & Management, delivered in partnership with Sustainable HRM Skillnet, provides a structured opportunity to develop these capabilities through practical learning, established leadership frameworks and real-world workplace scenarios.
The programme brings together leadership development and people management, helping participants strengthen their personal effectiveness while building the skills to lead engaged, adaptable and high-performing teams.
Who should attend?
This programme is suitable for:
- Professionals moving into their first management or team leadership role.
- Existing managers looking to strengthen their leadership and people-management capabilities.
- Team leaders and supervisors taking on greater responsibility.
- Professionals preparing to progress into more senior leadership positions.
- Managers seeking to develop their approach to employee engagement, team performance and organisational change.
What will you learn?
Across 12 modules, participants will explore the relationship between effective leadership, practical management and organisational performance.
Strategic leadership and organisational culture
Understand how leadership influences organisational culture, strategic priorities and team performance. Explore how to align your approach to leadership with the wider objectives of your organisation.
Self-leadership and personal effectiveness
Develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability. Recognise how your behaviours and leadership style influence those around you.
Leading and inspiring others
Explore different leadership approaches and the distinction between leadership and management. Build your understanding of how to motivate, empower and support others.
Sustainable and ethical leadership
Consider the importance of ethical decision-making, inclusive leadership and responsible management practices, including the relevance of ESG principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Communication and collaboration
Strengthen your ability to listen, influence, provide constructive feedback and manage challenging conversations. Develop approaches to building positive and productive working relationships.
Coaching and developing people
Learn how coaching techniques, including the GROW model, can support individual development, team effectiveness and continuous learning.
Leading agile and flexible teams
Explore the challenges of managing remote and hybrid teams, including delegation, collaboration and proximity bias.
Team development and performance
Understand team dynamics, different working styles and contemporary approaches to performance management and continuous improvement.
Leading adaptability and change
Develop approaches to supporting teams through organisational change, uncertainty and resistance, while maintaining engagement and resilience.
Strategic decision-making and problem-solving
Strengthen your ability to analyse challenges, make informed decisions, manage competing priorities and apply practical problem-solving techniques.
Future-oriented leadership and innovation
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and innovation for leadership and organisational development.
Career growth and leadership development
Consider your longer-term leadership development, including influencing skills, networking and building your professional leadership profile.
What will you gain?
By completing this programme, participants will be better equipped to:
- Lead and motivate teams with greater confidence and self-awareness.
- Apply practical coaching, feedback and people-management techniques.
- Support employee development, engagement and team performance.
- Navigate challenging conversations and influence stakeholders.
- Make informed decisions and manage competing priorities.
- Lead teams through change and uncertainty.
- Apply ethical, inclusive and sustainable leadership principles.
- Identify opportunities for their continued leadership and career development.
Supporting Sustainable People Practices
Effective leadership and people management are central to developing sustainable organisations.
This diploma supports the Sustainable HRM Skillnet Sustainable People Practices Framework by strengthening the capabilities needed to develop people, build positive workplace cultures, support organisational change and encourage responsible decision-making.
Participants will explore how their everyday leadership behaviours and management practices contribute to employee development, engagement, inclusion and sustainable organisational performance.
Programme format
Duration: 12 weeks
Delivery: Live online, part-time
Schedule: One 3-hour session per week
Total guided learning: 36 hours
Provider: UCD Professional Academy
Award: UCD Professional Academy Diploma in Leadership & Management
The programme combines expert-led learning with interactive discussions, practical frameworks, workplace scenarios and case studies.
Participants also receive access to online learning resources, session recordings and revision materials to support their development throughout the programme.
Qualification
On successful completion, participants receive the UCD Professional Academy Diploma in Leadership & Management.
This is a professional diploma awarded by UCD Professional Academy. It is a standalone professional qualification and is not included on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Programme fee
The usual rate for this programme is €1995 per participant
Sustainable HRM Skillnet is offering a special course rate for €790pp.
Sustainable HRM Skillnet supports eligible member organisations with funding towards training and development.
For programme availability, membership information and funding enquiries, please contact:
Interested in developing your leadership and management capabilities?
Other start dates available – commencing 24th November – 12 weeks, or commencing 7th Dec – 12 weeks.