NDS-RDM Line Manager Training Course

NDS, in collaboration with the the Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) is pleased to offer colleagues the opportunity to take part in a People Centred Management Programme.

The course provides support, guidance, and resources to empower individuals working in NDS and RDM to become better managers. The course will cover:

• Management fundamentals
• Managing difference 
• Managing the environment

The programme has been designed specifically for the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and Radcliffe Department of Medicine, and has been piloted within NDS, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from previous delegates.

Training in line management has been highlighted in previous staff surveys as a departmental need. Participation in the course should not only strengthen our staffs' skills, but should benefit the wider department through contributing to a more inclusive culture within NDS and standardising the way the department's policies and practices are applied across our staff and students.

Places are limited, so participants may have to be selected on the basis of their application, according to individual and departmental need.

Eligibility Criteria

The course is open to professional staff, research staff, and students who are (or are soon going to be) line managing or supervising staff or students within NDS.

Applicants must:

1. have a minimum of three months of management experience (such as supervision of research assistants or students; line-management of colleagues; or leadership responsibilities outside the work environment) by the time the course begins. This may be in a formal or, in some cases, an informal capacity
2. commit to attending all the sessions in the programme
3. have spoken to their Line Manager who will support their application to the programme.

Participation should not only benefit the individual personally, but also contribute to a more inclusive and diverse environment within the Department.

Programme details

The programme, which is offered by Aspire Leadership, offers a structured curriculum covering a range of topics tailored to the needs and challenges you face in your work and leadership. Through a series of interactive sessions, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Master the essentials of inclusive leadership, from clarifying your role to building confidence in feedback and difficult conversations
  
• Learn to embrace and leverage diversity by understanding different styles, motivations, and how to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches
  
• Step back from daily firefighting to think strategically about creating sustainable, resilient working environments where your people can thrive

The programme consists of three in-person training days, and two two-hour online coaching sessions (one at the beginning of the programme and one at the end) over five to six months. There will also be 2 refresher sessions hosted 3-6 months from the end of the course.

Please see the Line Management Course Outline for more information on the curriculum.

How to apply

Applications for 2026 are open. Please note, in order to be eligible, you must be able to attend all of the below sessions:

• Coaching Session One: Thursday 22 Jan 10:00-12:00
• Module One: Thursday 26 February 09:30-17:00
• Module Two: Thursday 26 March 09:30-17:00
• Module Three: Thursday 23 April 09:30-17:00
• Coaching Session Two: Thursday 25 June 10:00-12:00
  

You can apply to attend the course by filling in the application form.

If you would like to learn more about the programme before applying, please contact Emily Hotine for more information.