Training

Digital leaders programme

Become the digital leader your organisation needs.

  • Online
  • 8 two-hour sessions
  • Four weeks
  • £950 - £1,475 + VAT

This course will be held on

  • 04 November, 06 November, 11 November, 13 November, 18 November, 20 November, 25 November, 27 November 2025

    • Online
    Book now

What to expect

This course offers a variety of sessions and exercises to help you develop as a digital leader. 

It is designed for current and aspiring leaders in further and higher education organisation regardless of discipline, function or department who wish to develop their digital leadership skills or have an interest in digital transformation. 

You'll collaborate with like-minded peers to explore the tools needed for effective leadership in the digital era. The programme equips you with the skills to lead and manage digitally-driven transformations across all levels of an organisation. 

You'll gain insights into how digital technology is changing organisational dynamics, explore a variety of challenges and opportunities that digital leaders encounter and learn useful techniques and strategies to influence change and lead effective digital transformation in your organisation.

Training outcomes

By the end of the programme you will be able to: 

  • Define digital leadership and explore what makes an effective digital leader 
  • Outline and visualise your organisation’s digital practice 
  • Align digital strategy with organisational goals 
  • Assess the impact of emerging new technologies on your organisation  
  • Use data and stories to communicate digital transformation 
  • Explore and examine different approaches to digital transformation 
  • Apply change management models and techniques to embed and anchor change in your organisation 
  • Foster a culture of innovation through digital leadership 

By taking part in this course, you can also earn digital credentials to show your achievement. 

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to connect and network with other digital leaders, participants are encouraged to join our free online Digital Leadership and Culture Forum.

Our video explains what makes an effective digital leader and how we can support you wherever you are on your leadership journey.

Modules

The digital leaders programme is constantly evolving to keep it up to date with latest good practice for digital technology.

The current modules are:

Foundations of digital leadership

Work together to explore the definitions and focus of digital leadership, reflect upon your own digital practice and consider how learners align digital strategy with their organisation's priorities.

Understanding approaches to digital transformation

Clarify what digital transformation is, begin to explore how it happens and consider how data and new technologies are changing and can change how organisations operate.

Managing change in a digital world

Digital transformation is more about people than technology. Explore what makes change difficult and how to manage it effectively.

Approaches to digital transformation

Take a closer look at different ways of working that enable the ongoing digital transformation of teams and organisations.

Target audience

Aimed at those who have an interest in digital leadership or digital transformation. Previous participant roles have included Heads of Digital Learning, Digital Learning  Manager, IT Training Lead, Senior Learning Technologist, Curriculum Manager, Project Manager, Professional Development Manager right through to Provost and Director.

Programme options

The public Digital leaders programme is usually delivered online using an active learning approach. It provides participants with regular opportunities to collaborate, share experiences and network while engaging in reflective practice.

Public - Online

Our online learning option offers the benefit to fully engage from home or office with reduced travel time and cost. The online programme is made up of eight sessions, usually on Tuesdays (10:00-12:00) and Thursdays (14:00-16:00). All sessions are recorded allowing you to review content at your convenience.

Course fees

  • Jisc members (FE, HE and research organisations): £950 + VAT
  • Non-profits (eligible local government, public sector, independent education providers and non-profit customers): £1125 + VAT
  • Commercial organisations (non-member commercial partners): £1475 + VAT

In-house

We can also offer an in-house version of the digital leaders programme for your organisation. This can be delivered either in person, online or a combination of both. If this is something you would like to discuss for your organisation, please get in touch.

Course fees

Available on application

Alumni experiences

  • “I wanted to do something that would give me more confidence"
    Alicia Owen, digital learning manager at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, is using her experience of the digital leaders programme to drive forward change in her organisation.
  • "It's given me a better understanding of digital technologies"
    Dr Alison Lawson, head of the division of marketing and operations at Derby Business School, shares her experience of the programme alongside other alumni.
  • "The programme enables you to meet like-minded people"
    Jo Loss and Paula Kilburn, from Essex Adult Community Learning and the Education Training Collective, share their top tips for navigating the online digital leaders programme.

Joining the sessions

Our live online sessions (courses, clinics and webinars) are delivered using Microsoft Teams. Therefore, to benefit from the full experience, you will require a Microsoft account, either personal or organisational.

If this poses a barrier, please email training@jisc.ac.uk to discuss alternative options.

Contact us