This 2-day Executive Education programme is for professionals who lead, guide or contribute to projects, programmes and major organisational initiatives in dynamic and complex environments.
It explores how to connect strategic ambition with meaningful outcomes when priorities change, decisions cross organisational boundaries and success depends on people working towards a shared purpose.
Course details
- Dates: 26 and 27 January 2027
- Location: University of Southampton Business School, SO16 7QF
- Duration: 2 days in-person
- Learning style: Interactive, practical
- Approach: Real-world application, peer learning, and expert facilitation
- Early booking fee: £756 if booked by 1 December 2026
- Early alumni booking fee: £643 if booked by 1 December 2026
- Standard fee: £890 if booked after 1 December 2026
- Standard alumni fee: £756 if booked after 1 December 2026
- Refreshments, lunch and learning materials provided
Programme overview
This immersive programme goes beyond traditional project management frameworks to explore how leadership, systems, technology and organisational change interact in complex environments.
It brings together 4 core areas of advanced project leadership:
- Strategic project leadership and high-performing teams
- Systems thinking for strategic project outcomes
- Decision-making in digital and AI-enabled environments
- Stakeholder influence and organisational change
Together, these themes consider how to lead people effectively, understand complexity and the wider systems in which projects operate. They also consider how to make informed decisions in digital and AI-enabled environments, and build the alignment needed to deliver organisational change.
Who this programme is for
This programme is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to lead and contribute effectively within project environments. It is particularly relevant for:
- professionals preparing to take on greater leadership responsibility within project and programme environments
- managers and professionals whose roles involve leading or contributing to projects and organisational initiatives
- professionals working across delivery, governance and organisational change
- team Leaders managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
- project managers looking to develop from delivery towards strategic outcomes
- change and transformation professionals responsible for delivering organisational initiatives across functions and business areas
The programme encourages participants to view project leadership beyond the delivery of immediate outputs, with greater attention to the wider organisational context, intended outcomes and changing environment in which projects operate.
Why this programme matters for organisations
The programme is intended to support organisations seeking to strengthen project leadership capability and improve the connection between strategic intent and project outcomes. Areas of organisational relevance include:
- supporting greater alignment between projects and wider organisational priorities
- encouraging informed decision-making in complex and changing environments
- strengthening cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment
- developing greater awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with digital transformation and AI
Programme leads
Associate Professor Nicholas Dacre
Nicholas is Associate Professor of Project Management at the University of Southampton Business School and Director of the Advanced Project Management Research Centre (APROM). He is also Editor-in-Chief of Sage Business Cases: Project Management Series.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association for Project Management (FAPM) and Chair of the British Academy of Management Project Management Consortium.
His research focuses on emerging topics in innovation, technology and sustainability in complex projects, with particular emphasis on AI and Industry 5.0. He has published more than 80 papers, including research in Information Systems Journal, Project Management Journal, Government Information Quarterly and Production Planning & Control.
His expertise in implementing AI has led to keynote engagements, including speaking at the UK Parliament about the future of AI in project delivery and presenting to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority on AI governance in major projects.
Professor Jeni Giambona
Jeni is Professor of Systems Thinking and Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Southampton Business School. She leads the School’s work to develop collaborations with organisations across different sectors and the wider public, helping to increase the reach and impact of its teaching and research.
Her work focuses on developing external partnerships, building relationships with stakeholders and creating opportunities for collaboration and co-creation. She also supports strategies to increase the impact and dissemination of the School’s work.
Selected faculty publications and insights
Our faculty are actively engaged in research that informs contemporary project leadership practice. Selected publications and insights 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
A Full reading list is available to participants upon enrolment.
Book your place
Book your place through the University Online Store.
Find out more about the Mastering Complexity: Advanced Project Leadership in our programme brochure.
Organisations can invest enormous effort in seemingly successful projects, only to discover that the problem has changed. The challenge for everyone involved is connecting different perspectives, questioning outdated assumptions, and recognising whether the work still delivers its intended value.
