Guidance

Director General Leadership Programme

Published 24 July 2019

This guidance was withdrawn on

The Civil Service Leadership Academy is now closed. Its work is now part of the Leadership College for Government.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-career-transition/director-general-leadership-programme

1. Support for your transition into a Civil Service director general role

The Civil Service Leadership Academy has designed and developed a 12 month Director General Leadership Programme which helps you further develop into your Civil Service director general role.

2. Director General Leadership Programme

The Director General Leadership Programme is a bespoke programme jointly delivered by Civil Service Talent and the Civil Service Leadership Academy. It is based on each individual’s background and experience. DGs and permanent secretaries from across government have supported the overall design, and sessions are tailored to meet the cohort’s needs.

This programme is an opportunity for DGs to develop and influence through building a strong peer cohort network for the future challenges ahead. You’ll form a cohort with your fellow participants and be contributing to the development and support of a community of new director general peers, who are in similar career stages as you.

Clare Moriarty (Permanent Secretary, DExEU) is the overall sponsor for the programme and participants will be invited to breakfasts and networking opportunities with her and other senior leaders. As you are confirmed into your new role, you will be grouped with other DGs starting into their roles, to form a cohort. Cohorts form every six months.

The programme includes:

  • a half-day corporate induction event
  • development conversations with the Civil Service Leadership Academy (CSLA)
  • cohort learning sessions such as:
    • the experience of stepping into the DG role
    • the role of the DG in terms of systems leadership
    • being a DG on a board.
  • joining another DG cohort to take part in an immersive learning event
  • cohort and action learning sets sessions. These create opportunities for more informal networking and provide a space to learn from and support each other in terms of work-related issues.
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