Manager's community

The managers community offers a variety of events for managers to come together, discuss relevant topics, and introduce new managers to the group. These events, such as lunches, seminars, and social activities, aim to strengthen relationships, provide updates, and share information.

Check out the Microsoft Teams page designed to support the community - find us at Manager's community | General | Microsoft Teams

Aim: To build and maintain connections and friendships at the university where managers from all areas of the University can reach out for and to support.

Outcomes

  • Introducing new managers to existing managers at the University.
  • Stronger relationships and connections across the University.
  • Expanding networks.
  • Sharing good practice.
  • Increasing confidence.
  • Maybe have some fun.

Content

Manager community lunch

The lunches are facilitated by Organisational and Staff Development Services (OSDS) and are dedicated time that managers can get together in person to build relationships. Most will be unstructured but with an overarching theme or topic of discussion.

New managers are encouraged to attend to be introduced to other managers and build those connections.  The sessions all take place between 12.30 to 13.30.

Topic

Date

Venue
Manager challenges of today - What's the toughest aspect of your job today? Tuesday 30 September 2025 Parliament Hall
Debate date - Tech vs People: which matters more to long-term success? Tuesday 28 October 2025 Walter Bower House (WBH)
Recognition tactics - now its end of year, how will you celebrate your team wins? Tuesday 25 November 2025 Parliament Hall
New year, new you - what is going to set this year apart? Tuesday 27 January 2026 WBH
Productivity hacks - what works for you? Tuesday 24 February 2026 Parliament Hall
Debate date - In the office vs hybrid Tuesday 24 March 2026 WBH
Stress awareness Tuesday 28 April 2026 Parliament Hall
Feedback culture: what does that look like? Tuesday 26 May 2026 WBH

 

Manager's focus meetings

In response to managers needing to protect their time to complete tasks, we are pleased to offer a recurring focus meeting, starting Friday 24 January 2025.

This is facilitated protected time where managers can complete their own work or tasks alongside other managers online, but with their cameras and microphones off.

The sessions will be 9am to 10.15am every Friday morning.

This will be one hour of uninterrupted time to accomplish a task they set themselves and the last 15 minutes  where the videos come back on and managers can say if they managed to accomplish what they set out to do, and continue to build that supportive management community.

Simply sign up once to be added to the recurring meeting and attend whenever it is needed.

Focus meeting - PDMS - University of St Andrews

Manager's focus session

Need time and space to catch up on work? This is facilitated, structured and protected time where managers can complete their own work or tasks alongside other managers.

The sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams either in the morning, 9.30am to 1pm or afternoon, 1pm to 4.30pm. In person sessions can be introduced if there is enough demand.

Participants are encouraged to set up a distraction-free setting to focus. The session provides the opportunity to work in a supportive online environment with other managers.

Book your place on a focus session from the following dates: