Public sector leaders are facing exceptional challenges in 2024, both in the daily pressures of their roles and the expectation that they build a long-term perspective into their work.
Investing in your skills and career has never been more important, and ANZSOG is continually refining its courses and programs – and developing new ones – for public servants who want to take the next step in their careers.
We were created by the state and federal governments of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and maintain strong links with our member governments, and with our 16 partner universities. This means we can design programs exclusively for public servants which are taught by experienced practitioners and world-leading academics.
We are across the changes that you are facing – the impact of tighter budgets and global economic and political uncertainty, the increased demands from the public and from ministers, and the need for collaboration and finding more effective ways of working with stakeholders and communities.
All ANZSOG programs draw their cohort from across the jurisdictions of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. This gives participants the chance to exchange ideas with peers in other jurisdictions, hear first-hand about different approaches and build a lasting cross-jurisdictional network.
The following programs are scheduled for the first half of 2024, and are in addition to our flagship two-year Executive Master of Public Administration, the Executive Fellows Program and the Deputies Leadership Program both of which are to be delivered in the second half of 2024.
Towards Strategic Leadership (18 March – 15 May: four days face-to-face in Melbourne, plus four online sessions and online orientation)
Towards Strategic Leadership is specifically designed to meet the needs of senior public sector professionals at, or close to, executive level or those transitioning from tactical to strategic leadership roles. It is designed to be an opportunity to reflect, learn and grow to be able to carry out their roles with clarity, wisdom, and energy.
Program co-directors Professor Paul ‘t Hart and Robbie Macpherson – both have over two decades of experience training and coaching public sector executives in Australia. They have delivered the TSL program for over a decade. They will provide the tools for you to perform your roles with purpose, good judgment, and strategic nous. Under their guidance you will examine and question your assumptions about yourself, your leadership style, your role, and your organisation.
You’ll learn to identify the strategically important tasks among the noise of your day-to-day work and take meaningful action. You’ll leave with a tangible boost in confidence and capabilities, feeling prepared to face senior executive responsibilities.
TSL creates an atmosphere of trust where experiences and problems can be shared, and harnesses the knowledge and experience of all participants who, as professional peers, share a common language and a commitment to public service.
Emerging Leaders Program (8 April – 14 May: three days face-to-face in Sydney, plus two online sessions)
This dynamic, new, and transformative course is designed exclusively for emerging public sector leaders in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, who are already playing a role in shaping our societies.
This unique program aims to equip middle and operational managers (whether experienced or new to the role) with the essential skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in their leadership role. Through a blend of face-to-face and online modules, you will embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, building your capacity to become the next generation of visionary and effective leaders in the public sector.
Led by experienced facilitators, Robbie Macpherson and Jason Ardler, and supplemented with expert guest presenters, this program offers practical insights and guidance to help emerging leaders drive positive change in the public sector.
This program will encourage you to think innovatively and develop your strategic planning skills. It will also give you a knowledge base that spans different project areas and ways to improve their consultation, communication and ability to motivate teams.
As well as these Executive Leadership Programs, ANZSOG will be offering a range of shorter online Professional Learning Programs which are designed to give exposure to fresh ideas and build specific capabilities which are in demand in today’s public sector. These include:
Developing Policy Acumen (26 March or 19 June or 24 October)
This one-day workshop will guide you through the key aspects of policy-making and help you navigate policy design and development with greater confidence and capability. Designed for public servants new to policy roles it will provide you with a range of tools to tackle policy problems in contemporary society, foundational knowledge for strategic policy work, as well as how innovative approaches may be used to solve policy dilemmas
New Managers (22 May – 12 June or 6-27 August or 9-30 October)
Your transition from team member to team/project leader in the public sector is an exciting journey that brings new responsibilities and challenges. This four-part workshop will guide you through the common challenges new managers face and give you practical strategies for success. You will learn how to work beyond your technical domain, shift focus from individual performance to team performance, balance providing strategic direction and engaging in the operational detail, and managing relationships with senior colleagues and diverse stakeholders.
Data and Storytelling in Policy (1-2 May or 21-22 August)
One of the most fundamental challenges for public sector leaders is positively influencing the policy cycle. To do this we know we need data, but we also need deep, intuitive, and empathetic understanding, meaningful story, and compelling narrative. This course will show how to blend the two to successfully influence the policy cycle through policy development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.