Unlocking Senior Talent in Local Government

Unlocking Senior Talent in Local Government

This unique event provides practical guidance for current and aspiring leaders seeking to progress into senior roles within local government. It is specifically designed to address two critical questions: 

How can I improve my chances of obtaining a senior role? 

How can I effectively manage and overcome the challenges associated with these roles?

Why attend? 

The benefits of attending this conference include the opportunity to: 

• Resolve the questions in your mind about whether or not a senior role is right for you 
• Learn from trainers who have prepared local government officials to get into higher roles, as well as executive coaches about what you can do to improve your chances of making these senior positions  
• Gain a deeper understanding of the skills, qualities and competencies required to be a successful senior local government official
• Examine the barriers and enablers affecting your progression 
• Hear from recent senior local government entrants about how they made the move and what life is like now they are there 
• Network with peers and counterparts from across local government to find out what is happening on the ground in other local authorities

09:30

Welcome & Introductions to the Conference 

09:40

Chief Executive Opening Address  

10:15

Working Effectively with Elected Members

• Understanding the political acumen required of senior managers
• Advice on how to build constructive relationships with councillors

10:55

Comfort Break 

11:10

Managing and Driving Your Career Forward  

• Leveraging strengths and tapping into the right resources 
• Defining your career goals across senior local government roles and visualising success 
• Negotiating for what you need to progress your career 
• Seeking out mentorship, allies, and support  

11:50

Comfort Break

12:00

Positioning Yourself as a Leader: A Practical Toolkit

• Developing and maintaining a resilient mindset when facing funding cuts, service pressures, or political shifts  
• Fostering an inclusive management style across governance, management and delivery
• Building quality relationships within and outside your authority and the community
• Tools to aid decision-making in a local context
• Harnessing digital tools and AI for leadership impact

13:00

Break for Lunch

14:00

Preparing for Your Next Role: Are You Ready for a Promotion?

• Application writing techniques of persuasion and memorability 
• Succeeding at interview: understanding what influences the selectors

14:45

Communicating with Confidence: Laying the Groundwork to Communicate with Impact 

• Top tips for delivering your message succinctly and confidently
• Managing adrenaline to think clearly under pressure
• Structuring your meetings and preparatory work for maximum effect

15:45

Personal Perspectives – My Route into Senior Roles 

• A panel of senior officers look back on their careers and answer questions about their experience of entering senior roles and discuss what life is like now they are there  

16:30

Chair's Closing Remarks & Conference Close