Leadership Course: Leading in Local Government
This leadership course for local government focuses on unique aspects of leading in local government and its broader political and social context including the principles and practices in public administration. This leadership course will offer a comprehensive understanding of governance structures, management theory, contemporary leadership frameworks and strategic decision-making within a local government context and its related challenges. The course is designed to enhance your leadership capabilities and empower current and aspiring leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to excel within the local government context.
The course teachings are based on evidence and rigour, drawing on cutting edge theory and practice relating to leadership development. The program is highly interactive and encourages self-reflection in relation to your leadership development with the workshop closing with a self-reflection ‘check-out’ exercise.
Duration | One session (8 hours in total) |
Dates | TBA |
Venue | UTS City Campus |
Time | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Cost | $698 (GST free) |
Course content
This leadership course will cover the following topics:
- Why local government matters
- Scope, scale and history of local government in Australia
- Public sector and management theory
- Contemporary leadership frameworks
- Local government context and challenges.
Learning outcomes
As a result of this leadership course, you will:
- develop an understanding of the role of local government in the broader social and political context
- have a deeper appreciation of the principles and practices of local government and how it has evolved over time
- deep dive into management theory, structure and practice and contemporary leadership models
- be able to actively contribute to the development of collective and collaborative leadership within council
- understand and grow your leadership impact.
Delivery style
The leadership course uses a blend of presentation, discussion, case in point teaching, consultation in pairs, group exercises, individual take-away tasks to put into practice learnings in the workplace. This training approach allows you to work through concepts introduced by the presenter in an application-focused teaching environment. You will challenge your understanding of the concepts and consider their application once back in your individual workplace.
Intended audience
This leadership course is designed for:
- local government managers looking to build their knowledge of management and organsitional theory
- managers new to the local government sector
- local government practitioners embraking on or aspiring to leadership roles
- public or private sector practitioners looking to build their understanding of management and leadership in local government.
About the presenter
Vanessa Chan is an Associate Professor at UTS IPPG and is a contemporary public sector leader with a reputation for innovation and driving sectoral transformation. She has over 20 years experience in strategy and operations across various NSW metropolitan Councils, including almost a decade in executive management. This includes successfully leading Ashfield Council as General Manager before being appointed to lead the Inner West Council merger.
Over the last few years Vanessa has been working in top-tier private sector consulting, including as a Director with the Public Sector Practice at Deloitte and Senior Associate at Spencer Maurice. She has recently worked with the National City District Commission in Port Moresby (PNG’s only local government authority) supporting the Governor to better align local government operations to emerging strategic priorities.
Vanessa is a member of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Group for Local Government, Chair of Head Start Homes, an innovative new social enterprise supporting First Nation families move from social housing into home ownership.
Course prerequisites
This leadership course has no prerequisites and is open to all members of the public. The course is one of five leadership courses in our Leading in Local Government series. Select the combination of courses from the list below that will meet your learning needs.
- Leading in Uncertainty
- Leading in Local Government
- Leading for Impact
- Leading with Strategy
- Leading to Empower
Course registration
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Contact us
Need more information? For all course related enquiries, including future dates or in-house training enquiries email us or call +61 (2) 9514 7884.
This short course is presented by the university's Centre for Local Government at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance. Learn more about the Centre's research, consulting services, postgraduate programs and short courses.