In today’s fast-paced, complex environment, organisations do not just need project managers. They need project leaders who can align execution with strategy, inspire high-performing teams, and deliver measurable outcomes.
This intensive two-day Executive Education programme is designed to equip professionals with the advanced leadership capabilities required to successfully lead projects in dynamic environments, muster complexity, lead major initiatives and drive organisational impact.
Programme Overview
This immersive programme goes beyond traditional project management frameworks. It focuses on leading people and navigating uncertainty in order to drive strategic outcomes.
Participants will develop the skills and mindset to:
- Lead cross-functional teams with confidence and clarity
- Translate organisational strategy into executable projects
- Navigate change and risk effectively
- Build stakeholder alignment at senior levels
- Deliver outcomes that create tangible business and societal value
Through a blend of expert-led sessions and real-world case studies the course provides practical tools that can be applied immediately in the workplace.
Who This Programme Is For
This programme is tailored for organisations seeking to strengthen leadership capability across their project ecosystem. It is particularly valuable for:
- Senior Project Managers looking to elevate from delivery to strategic leadership
- Team Leaders and Programme Leads managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Senior Executives and Functional Leaders overseeing project portfolios
- High-potential professionals preparing for leadership roles in project environments
- Consultants and Analysts advising on transformation, strategy, or project execution
Key Themes
- Leadership & High-Performing Team Dynamics
- Strategic Project Planning
- Risk Management & Decision-Making
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Why This Programme Matters for Organisations
Investing in project leadership capability enables organisations to:
- Reduce costly project delays and risks
- Increase the success rate of strategic initiatives
- Improve cross-functional collaboration and alignment
- Strengthen organisational agility in uncertain environments
This programme is particularly suited for organisations undergoing transformation, growth, or large-scale change initiatives.
Programme Format
- Duration: 2 days (in-person delivery)
- Learning style: Interactive, practical
- Approach: Real-world application, peer learning, and expert facilitation
Faculty profiles
Gain insights from experienced academics who specialise in project leadership and stakeholder engagement, bringing both cutting-edge research and practical expertise to the programme.
Professor Jeni Giambona
Professor Jeni Giambona is Professor of Systems Thinking and the Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Southampton Business School. As such, she leads USBS’s development of collaborations with both external organisations from all sectors and the wider public to further the development and impact of the School’s teaching and research.
Jeni’s activities focus on the development and implementation of external engagement strategies for collaborative partnerships, impact and dissemination, on building relationships with external stakeholders and co-creation activities.
Research interests
- Systems thinking and approaches
- Identity building
- Narratives and storytelling
- Trust as collaborative enabler
Associate Professor Nicholas Dacre
As an Associate Professor of Project Management, an accomplished academic, Dr Nicholas Dacre has over two decades of leadership experience in both academia and industry. He leads a diverse portfolio of research-intensive activities in partnership with national and international partners.
Dr Dacre's research is particularly focused on emergent ‘ITS Complex’ topics, addressing Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability in Complex Projects. He places a special emphasis on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Project Management, aiming to explore the transformative role AI can play in enhancing decision-making processes and efficiency. His research in Agile Project Management (APM) investigates the adaptive strategies of Agile methodologies to enhance project delivery by promoting flexibility, adaptability, and rapid response to changes. Additionally, his research delves into the interplay between Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability, scrutinising how their convergence can significantly advance the management of complex projects.
Research interests
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Project Management
- Agile Project Management (APM)
- Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability in Complex Projects (ITS Complex):
Selected Faculty Publications & Insights
Our faculty are actively engaged in research that shapes contemporary project leadership practice. Examples of their work include:
- Clienting in major projects: beyond outputs, towards outcomes
- Digital Transformation and the AI Imperative in Public and Private Sector Projects Methods and Skills for Project Management
(Full reading list available to participants upon enrolment.)
You can register for a place on our Online Store.
Contact Jeni Giambona, Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise (j.giambona@soton.ac.uk) to discuss organisational bookings or tailored delivery options.