NIH Senior Leadership Program

Purpose

The NIH is committed to playing an active role in advancing the skills of senior-level, administrative and scientific staff. While providing a collection of junior professional development as well as mid-level and executive leadership programs, the Senior Leadership Program is our longest running leadership program. With over 1,800 alumni, the program has offered senior leaders at NIH the opportunity to develop leadership skills for over 21 years. The Senior Leadership Program provides a core component to our deliberate continuum of leadership development for inspired NIH staff. 

Leadership competencies addressed in the NIH Senior Leadership Program correspond with the five SES Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Building Coalitions/Communications, and Business Acumen. The program also complements the NIH Leadership and Management competency model. 

Program Features and Structure

1. A virtual orientation and a 3-day opening (overnight, off-site retreat for in-person sessions) 
2. Session duration of 4-5 months with 13 total training days 
3. Cohort size of 28 participants from across NIH, both scientific and administrative 
4. Initial 360-degree feedback, Myers-Briggs Type personality type indicator (MBTI), and Firo-B assessments 
5. Personal virtual coaching (4.5 hours) and small team virtual coaching (2 hours) 
6. Leadership development plan focus 

7. For blended sessions, local (in-person) sessions hosted at Rockwood Manor 

This program provides GS-14/15, SES, and equivalent employees with the opportunity to enhance individual leadership skills and develop effective leadership competencies to address challenges and contribute to the NIH mission. The NIH Senior Leadership Program combines case studies, interactive discussions, experiential learning, assessment data, and developmental planning, as well as a three-day intensive kickoff session.

Content and Current Cohort Program Schedule

View PDF version of table below.

Alumni Share Takeaways from the Senior Leadership Program (SLP)