Step into management: voluntary sector essentials

Stepping into a management role in the voluntary sector can feel both exciting and overwhelming. This practical, supportive programme is designed to help you build confidence quickly, connect with peers, and develop the core skills you need to lead effectively from day one. 

By the end of the programme, you will feel more confident managing people, services and budgets, with a clearer understanding of how the voluntary sector operates. You’ll gain practical tools, greater self-awareness as a leader, and a network of peers facing similar challenges.

What you’ll gain:

• Greater confidence in your role as a manager 
• Practical tools to manage people and performance 
• A clearer understanding of funding, policy and the wider sector 
• Skills to plan, measure impact, and make informed decisions 
• A supportive peer network you can continue to learn from

Each session focuses on a key area of management in the voluntary sector and is delivered by experienced professionals alongside SCVO staff.

• Session 1: Understanding the voluntary sector landscape
• Session 2: Managing people in a values-led environment
• Session 3: Finance & funding
• Session 4: Policy, public affairs & the political climate
• Session 5: Planning & impact measurement
• Session 6: Leading with confidence

Key themes including climate, digital, wellbeing, inclusion, and learning will be threaded throughout the programme.

All sessions will take place online from 9:30-12:30 on the following dates:

• Session 1 - 24th June 
• Session 2 - 29th July 
• Session 3 - 19th August 
• Session 4 - 9th September  
• Session 5 - 30th September
• Session 6 - 7th October

This programme is designed for new or emerging managers in the voluntary sector. 

Whether you’ve recently stepped up from a frontline role or are joining from another sector, this programme will give you the grounding and confidence to succeed.

This programme is delivered as a cohort, giving you the opportunity to build relationships, network, and learn alongside the same group over time. To support this experience, we ask that the same delegate attends all sessions. For this reason, we’re unable to accommodate substitutions, refunds or deferrals once your place is confirmed.