Overview
Women constitute a majority of the public service workforce across both Australia and New Zealand, yet equitable representation declines at senior leadership levels. In the Australian Public Service, women make up around 60 % of employees, but gender pay gaps persist — with average remuneration gaps in the broader public sector estimated at around 6.4 %, compared to more than 21 % in the private sector; and while the APS has narrowed its own internal pay gap to near 4–5 %, leadership representation imbalances remain a challenge for many agencies.
Across jurisdictions, women are under-represented in the highest decision-making roles even where parity exists lower in the classification structure, and men remain more likely to occupy the most highly remunerated roles nationally.
Emerging and early-career women leaders are therefore critical to strengthening succession pipelines, enhancing organisational performance, and driving more inclusive, strategic leadership across complex public sector environments in Australia and Aotearoa. This course equips participants with the capabilities to lead with confidence, influence across stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to equitable public sector outcomes.
Who Should Attend?
This course has been developed for emerging and aspiring women leaders across the Australian and New Zealand public sectors. It will particularly benefit those stepping into their first formal leadership role, operating in acting capacities, or preparing for promotion to middle management. It is also valuable for high-potential staff seeking to strengthen their leadership capability and strategically position themselves for future Executive Level or senior roles. From the following functions: Policy and Strategy | Programme and Project Delivery | Corporate Services and People & Culture | Finance and Procurement | Regulatory and Compliance | Digital, Data and Cyber | Service Delivery and Customer Operations
Team Leader
Manager
Project Lead
Assistant Director
Director Programme Manager
Policy Lead
Operational Lead
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Recognise and articulate their personal leadership strengths and development areas, and map clear short- and long-term career goals within the public sector context.
Identify the organisational environments and cultures in which they perform at their best, and position themselves strategically for progression.
Assess capability gaps against mid-level government expectations and develop a practical plan to build the skills required for advancement.
Strengthen core leadership and management capabilities, including influencing, stakeholder engagement and leading high-performing teams.
Gain practical insights and inspiration from senior women in government and translate those lessons into actionable steps for a sustainable and successful leadership career.
Online Training
Unlocking Potential: Emerging Women Leaders in Government
Session details
This course has been developed for emerging and aspiring women leaders across the Australian and New Zealand public sectors. It will particularly benefit those stepping into their first formal leadership role, operating in acting capacities, or preparing for promotion to middle management. It is also valuable for high-potential staff seeking to strengthen their leadership capability and strategically position themselves for future Executive Level or senior roles.
No previous experience necessary
Key Sessions
Welcome and Introductions
- Understanding the aims and structure of the session
- Career insights and key lessons from the facilitator
Know yourself
- The importance of understanding yourself
- The environments in which you thrive your strengths and weaknesses
Practical Exercise: Mapping your career: This hands-on exercise is aimed at mapping what you want from your next role and career longer term
Welcome and Reflections from Day 1
Take action
- Practical advice and exercises on how to develop your leadership skills
This session will involve individual and some group work
Be Inspired
- Hear the stories of senior women in government
- Learn how they manage their career
- Q&A
Reflections, feedback and next steps
Meet Your Facilitator
Jo Cribb
Consultant, Jo Cribb Consulting
Jo is an experienced consultant who has led a variety of projects and assignments. She is regularly asked to facilitate strategy sessions with leadership teams, coach emerging leaders and lead substantial policy, strategy and gender projects. Recent assignments include evaluating Sport NZ’s gender equity in governance policy, leading sessions at APEC 2023 on gender equality in customs and border agencies, working with the New Zealand Defence Force’s leadership team on the gender diversity of the forces, and completing a gender analysis of immigration policy.
Jo was the previous Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women. One of the youngest Chief Executives ever appointed in the New Zealand Public Service, she has invested her time and energy in advancing the cause of the vulnerable in society, spearheading some of the most difficult issues of our time, including child abuse, child poverty, family violence and vulnerable women.
In 2020, she co-authored the book Take Your Space: Successful Women Share their Secrets; the aim of which is to support women and girls to advance themselves. All proceeds from the book will be donated to The Aunties and Otara Blue Light programme to support young women leaders.
In 2016 she was a finalist in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards and in 2014 was one of three recipients of a Westpac Leadership Fellowship. In 2021 she won the Women in Governance Community Award from Governance New Zealand. Jo is the proud mother of two and provides them with excellent taxi services. She also distills her own gin.
Register Today
Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector
Extra Early Bird
Ends 15 May
$A 795
per person + tax $400 savingEarly Bird
Ends 12 Jun
$A 995
per person + tax $200 savingRegular
Ends 27 Jul
$A 1195
per person + taxFor group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]
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