Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content

Strategic Leaders Program

The Strategic Leaders Program is an award-winning leadership program that provides a bold and different way of thinking about leadership. The program builds on McMaster’s six leadership capabilities within the context of the strategic priorities and leading others at the university.

Strategic Leaders oversee a function and/or team within a department or faculty. Typical roles include (but not limited to): manager, senior manager, associate director, program or institute directors, department or associate chairs.

For further information about our different Leadership Development programs and to confirm which might be right for you, explore here.

lightbulb

Program Information

Learning Objectives: participants of this program will gain an awareness of their current capabilities and work to develop them to more effectively lead others and ultimately position themselves to grow their careers within McMaster. A variety of learning methods are incorporated including a McMaster specific multi-rater leadership assessment, experiential and self-reflection activities. Read more in the program overview.

Credential: individuals who successfully complete program requirements will be issued a certificate of completion in digital format.  

Eligibility: applicants must have served in a strategic leader role for a minimum of one fiscal year cycle as of the program start date. Employees are eligible provided they are employed: a) on a part-time or full-time continuing or contractually limited appointment of at least 1 year; or, b) under the terms of a Collective Agreement, written contract or employment contract which specifically extends the Tuition Assistance benefit to employees.

This program is funded by McMaster University. Participants are not required to make up the time away from their role to participate in this training. The Strategic Leaders Program is delivered by the McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) and sponsored by Human Resources Services.

Questions?  Contact WeAreAllLeaders@mcmaster.ca

Program Dates & Format

Fall 2026 session dates (ending in February 2027):

  • Thursday, October 15 (in-person, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm)
  • Thursday, October 29 (virtual)
  • Thursday, November 19 (virtual)
  • Thursday, December 3 (in-person, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Thursday, December 17 (virtual)
  • Thursday, January 21 (virtual)
  • Thursday, February 4 (in-person, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Notes:

  •  Virtual sessions are 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
  •  October 15 (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) and February 4 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) will be delivered in-person on campus (location TBD).  Also, December 3 will be in-person (location TBD), 9:00 am – 12:30 pm.
  • More details will be provided closer to these session dates.
  • One to two existing virtual session date may be converted to an in-person half-day session(s) – this will be confirmed with at least one-month notice.

Delivery Format: This program features a hybrid delivery model, including in-person sessions, virtual Zoom sessions, and asynchronous self-study/pre-work (1-2 hours prior to each module), via Avenue to Learn.

Winter 2027 Cohort (tentative dates)

Applications for the Winter 2027 cohort open in September 2026.

  • Tuesday, February 16 (in-person, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm)
  • Tuesday, March 2 (virtual)
  • Tuesday, March 23 (virtual)
  • Tuesday, April 6 (in-person, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Tuesday, April 27 (virtual)
  • Tuesday, May 11 (virtual)
  • Tuesday, June 1 (in-person, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are open, and close August 9.

Please do not apply for Winter 2027 until September 1, 2026.  We are only accepting application for Fall 2026 at this time.

Application Process

Complete the following steps:

1. Review this opportunity with your supervisor and ask them to complete the Supervisor Support Form. (Completed forms will need to be uploaded to the online application.)

2. Complete the Online Application. This form will require you to be logged into your McMaster Office 365 account.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Nancy Buschert, Program Manager, McMaster Continuing Education at buschen@mcmaster.ca.

Selection Process

Only completed applications will be reviewed and considered following the application deadline date, and applicants will be notified of acceptance in mid-December for the Winter cohort and mid-August for the Fall cohort. The following criteria will be considered in the selection process:

  • the alignment and specificity of one’s stated learning and career goals with program outcomes,
  • the length of time in one’s role – applicants must have served in a strategic leader role, as a people leader, for a minimum of one fiscal year cycle as of the program start date; and
  • one’s current leadership role; priority is granted to individual currently working in a strategic leader capacity as a formal people leader. Individuals seeking development and promotion into a strategic leader role will be considered as space is available.

For further information as to what program might be the right fit for your role, please learn more on the Leading at McMaster page.

Representation from across the University (inclusive of all University faculties and departments) will also be considered to enhance networking opportunities and to include diverse perspectives across academia and administration.

In the event that applications are deemed equal after review, a lottery draw will be used to fill available spaces.

Participants will receive program information, including any required pre-assignment, approximately one month prior to the program start date.

Additional Information

Program Information Webinar Learn More

Leading at McMaster Learn More

Behavioural Examples for Strategic Leaders Learn More