GCS Advance: Leader

GCS Advance Leader is designed to help people transition from professionals with expert technical skills to well rounded leaders of communications teams and work to inspire, encourage innovation, drive change and manage complex projects.

It is an intensive blended development programme which runs over 15 months and leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Communication Leadership. There is also the option to continue to an MSc. 

Following a successful commercial procurement process, the University of Huddersfield has been confirmed as our service delivery partner. Academic modules will be delivered as residentials at the University of Huddersfield.

In addition to the academic modules, the GCS Central Team will work with Civil Service experts, functions and professions to deliver a wider offer (stretch, extended L&D and networking) to support participants’ career development. 

On completion of the programme, participants will be added to an alumni network of GCS leaders and be embedded into the GCS talent cycle to support progression to senior roles. 


Please contact gcstalent@cabinetoffice.gov.uk for more information.

Key Dates:

  • Nominations open: 17 June 2024
  • Nominations close: 19 July 2024
  • Final selection by: 16 August 2024
  • Induction: 5 September 2024
  • Diploma: October 2024 – December 2025
  • Optional MSc: January 2026 – June 2026

Eligibility:

GCS Advance Leader is available for communications professionals in departments, ALBs (including embedded communicators), and devolved administrations. The programme is for grade 6s and deputy directors (or equivalent grades in ALBs). You do not need to have completed other courses in GCS Advance to submit a nomination.

To be eligible:

  • Your director of communications (or equivalent) supports your nomination and will act as your sponsor for the programme.
  • You are a grade 6 or deputy director (or equivalent in ALB).
  • You are in one of the following boxes of the 9 box grid: early promise, star, excellent, strong, high potential.
  • You have confirmation of funding from your department / ALB. Please note, if your nomination is successful you will need to raise a purchase order as soon as possible to start the course. 
  • You can dedicate enough time to engage fully and complete the programme.
  • You are not participating in any other government accelerated development programme.

Cost (to department):

Costs are to be paid by departments / ALBs and are exclusive of VAT.

  • Postgraduate Diploma: £3100
  • Optional MSc: £2730

Nomination and selection:

The nomination process will include a GCS assessment. Nominees must submit a written response to three questions (150 words per question). The questions will be assessed by a GCS panel and will test ability and aspiration to become a high-performing GCS senior leader.

Responses must be supported by a written statement (max 250 words) from a senior sponsor who will describe how they believe the nominee is a great candidate for the programme.

Senior sponsors should be a director of communications, or equivalent in ALBs. 

Nominations for the GCS Advance Leader programme open on 17 June and the programme begins in September 2024. More details will follow shortly. In the meantime, if you think this might be the right development programme for you, start having conversations with your line manager now.