Women in Leadership at Otago (WiLO) programme

The University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka takes a holistic approach to building careers and supporting staff, including career development frameworks for all staff and consistent access to targeted and relevant professional development and resources. – Pae Tata

Leaders who are confident and skilled with the ability to navigate changes in the tertiary education landscape are critical for the success of the University of Otago | Ōtakou Whakaihi Waka. Supporting kaimahi to succeed and grow is one of the priorities of the Pae Tata People Domain plan. This includes providing career development frameworks and access to targeted and relevant professional development and resources.

In past years, the programme cohort has often included women holding mid-level and senior leadership and management roles in the University. In 2027, the focus is on staff who are starting to take limited, sometimes short-term leadership responsibilities within teams and departments. In some instances, these responsibilities will not include a formal leadership role title – instead, the responsibilities will be part of being a team member, contributing to a research project, or teaching in a course.

WiLO 2027

The 2027 programme focuses on women in early career leadership academic and professional roles. This programme is designed for women who:

• are in early stages of career leadership responsibilities and keen to develop their leadership capabilities
• want to explore the context of leadership at the University

In 2027, we are looking for a cohort of 24 staff. The programme runs in person on the Ōtepōti | Dunedin campus. We fund travel costs for a limited number of staff to attend from the campuses at Pōneke | Wellington and Ōtautahi | Christchurch.

During the programme there is the opportunity to:

• Engage in discussion with University leaders
• Explore the context of leadership at the University
• Apply leadership tools and strategies to a range of scenarios
• Develop networks with other women in the cohort
• Plan ongoing leadership development that builds on existing skills and strengths

Who is eligible for the programme?

To take part in the programme you will be:

• Contributing to projects, initiatives, or working groups
• Coordinating aspects of teaching, research, professional team services, or community engagement activities
• Showing potential and motivation to lead initiatives, projects, teams, or committees within your team, department, division, or the wider University
• Interested in building your confidence, influence, and leadership capability for roles in the future
• Demonstrating an interest in developing your leadership skills and understanding of leadership within a university environment
• Seeking to expand your networks and understanding of leadership at the University of Otago

You are unlikely to be in a formal leadership position, although this may vary depending on your discipline and role.

Further criteria include:

• Having a commitment to participating fully in all programme activities
• Being willing to engage in a variety of learning approaches, including group discussions, peer learning and self-reflection
• Having the support of your manager to participate in the programme

2027 programme

1. An introduction to the programme on 6 April 2027 via Zoom, 2:00pm-3:30pm
2. A two-and-a-half-day course in Dunedin (11–13 May 2027) focusing on leadership and management. The course explores the context for leadership at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, developing leadership skills and establishing ongoing professional development to enhance your leadership capability. The course is facilitated by University staff
3. Peer mentoring – you will be part of a peer learning group meeting regularly over the ensuing six months
4. The programme concludes with a one-day wrap-up session on 17 November 2027 in Dunedin. At this event, you will report back to the wider group on progress with your personal leadership development goals

Applications

To apply, please submit:

• Completed application form
• Brief CV (two pages maximum)

WiLO Application Form (PDF)

Applications must be endorsed on the application form by your manager* and close at 5:00pm on Friday, 27 November 2026.

* Where we have more than one applicant from a division, faculty or school, we may seek advice from the divisional/school head as part of the selection process.

We will advise the outcome of applications by Friday, 22 January 2027.