​Women Transforming Leadership Programme

Even with growing momentum around gender equity, women in senior leadership roles still face entrenched challenges – from systemic bias in male-dominated industries to underrepresentation at the board level. Many experienced female leaders find themselves at a career reflection point, seeking not just to advance, but to lead with greater authenticity, purpose and influence.

This is an executive leadership programme designed to equip experienced female leaders with actionable strategies to broaden their impact and expand their influence at the highest levels.

Over five immersive days in Oxford, you will gain strategic insights, deepen your self-awareness, and build a powerful peer network in a supportive and intellectually rigorous environment. Rooted in Oxford’s world-class research and delivered by faculty with expertise in leadership and gender dynamics, it offers a transformative blend of academic stretch, personal and professional growth and real-world application.

You will return to your organisation with:

Access pre-programme materials including selected Oxford podcasts, readings and e-modules to challenge your assumptions about leadership and prepare for an inspirational, reflective learning journey.

Explore the task of leadership, the art and the science. We establish a shared framework for the week, helping you understand the key capabilities, expectations and opportunities that define effective leadership both now and in the future. We discuss how women navigate leadership - and show you that more is possible than you imagine.

Begin the work of developing who you are as a leader and understand how your own temperament helps or hinders you. Start to connect your personal attributes with the challenges of leadership, whilst remaining authentic and build a toolkit of skills to meet the challenge. Develop and apply negotiation skills with an exciting simulation exercise using an AI-based avatar; and practise coaching for performance skills.

Continue to build your toolkit of skills with immersion in ‘wicked problem’ scenarios. Combine deeper self-reflection with leadership demands and start to develop your own leadership strategy. Experience the beauty of Oxford’s history with a walking tour.

Relocate for the day to the serene environment of St Hugh’s College. Explore what leadership in action looks like through the medium of Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, looking at leadership in times of change and explore your own leadership ‘magic.’ Be inspired by others and have one-on-one time with an executive coach to help you crystallise your leadership strategy.

The final day, again at St Hugh’s, focuses on consolidating learning and translating insight into action. Bring together the week’s learnings and your strategy to shape a clear and personal leadership plan. Celebrate with your peers and share ideas and contacts.

Return to your organisation with a renewed sense of purpose, actionable strategies for change and receive a further one-to-one coaching session.

You are also invited to join a series of Leadership Spotlights - interactive online masterclasses featuring experienced female leaders. These sessions combine expert insight with peer discussion, offering continued inspiration, practical perspectives and the opportunity to build an enduring leadership community. Over time, your cohort will take an active role in shaping and sustaining this network.

Post-residential programme activities equate to a further 4.5 hours of contact time.