Overview
Start shaping your future in local government Digital, Data and Technology, learning from and with the people doing it.
You’re a Socitm member (good work) so you’ve got plenty to explore. The Future Leaders programme adds even more.
Here’s what else you’ll get:
- Insights into your strengths with team role profiling and personalised feedback
- Coaching/mentoring from people who’ve been there
- A free online course to build your core skills
- The chance to job shadow a Socitm trustee
- Your bespoke schedule of members’ webinars, events, and learning resources
It’s the pilot year and we’ll work some things out together. You might also get:
- Guest speakers and conversations with senior leaders
- Opportunities to contribute to the new leadership programme
- Involvement in President’s Conference 2027
You’ll be working with some great leaders to build the skills and confidence to become one yourself
Where will you find the time? That’s the tricky bit. But if you want to make a difference in local public services it’ll be worth it.
When is it happening? The pilot Future Leaders programme will run from January throughout 2027.
Who is it for? People typically in their early years of a DDaT role.
The practical detail
We’re looking for 10 people to join the pilot cohort. You must be:
- An early career professional in (or new to) a DDaT or related public sector role
- Stepping up to your first team leader role
- Employed by a Socitm member authority [this is only absolute requirement, we’re open about everything and everyone else]
What your manager needs to know
Future Leaders is a development pathway for early-career DDaT professionals in Socitm member authorities:
- It supports emerging talent by matching them with one of their trustees (all of whom are experienced and senior leaders)
- It ensures that your promising people have access to meaningful development opportunities.
- Is recommended by Socitm for people in the early stages of a DDaT role.
By bringing together new entrants across the public sector digital and technology landscape, Future Leaders creates a space where they can build capability, confidence, and connections while contributing to the wider local public services and Socitm communities.
The rationale for establishing this initiative is rooted in Socitm’s commitment to strengthening leadership capacity across the sector. Socitm has a strong track record in talent development, offering training through the Leadership Academy and a mentoring service open to all applicants.
This initiative is slightly different and is designed to enable participants gain access to a carefully designed range of support, ranging from strengths-based profiling and coaching or mentoring to curated courses, webinars, guest speakers, and opportunities to engage directly with senior leaders and board members. This ensures that participants can build both skills and experience while gaining meaningful exposure to the strategic environment of Socitm’s work.
How to apply
Nominate yourself or a colleague and we’ll send you the application details:
- Nomination
- Member authorities nominate individuals with strong potential
- Recommendations from current and past Leadership Academy cohorts
- Input from regional committees and partners
- Application – start to think about
- Your motivation and development goals
- How Future Leaders aligns with your authority’s priorities
- A brief CV or summary of your current role
- Manager sponsorship confirming time release and support
Leadership is a choice and we can help you with what comes next. Socitm’s Future Leaders programme is designed to take your career to the next level.
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