Think Bigger. Lead Smarter.
This break-through course equips aspiring or new digital technology leaders with the business skills, knowledge and mindset needed to be effective in delivering business outcomes. The masterclass focuses on business not technical skills to help you move from operational thinking to strategic thinking.
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This masterclass equips emerging digital technology leaders with the strategic thinking, business acumen and leadership capabilities required to drive meaningful organisational outcomes. Covering topics from actionable strategy and cybersecurity to team leadership, governance, and change management, the course focuses on the critical non-technical skills needed to move from operational roles into senior leadership. Delivered primarily online with two in-person sessions, participants will engage in practical exercises, collaborative projects, and a final Board-level presentation.
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By the end of the course, you’ll leave with the confidence, tools and mindset to operate effectively as a strategic technology leader. You’ll gain a strong foundation in areas such as governance, influencing, cybersecurity, financial planning, and change leadership—alongside a practical understanding of how to engage Boards and executive teams. You'll also build a nationwide peer network and walk away with real-world experience through group projects and a final presentation to a mock Board.
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This course is designed for aspiring or recently appointed digital technology leaders who are ready to shift from hands-on operational roles to strategic leadership positions. It’s ideal if you’re seeking to understand how senior leaders think, make decisions, and align technology with broader business objectives. Whether you're a senior engineer, team lead, delivery manager or early-stage CIO, this course will help you build the commercial awareness, leadership skills and strategic mindset needed to lead at a higher level.
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Session 1: Orientation in person 12-5pm
(In-person in Wellington CBD, venue TBC)
Meet in-person in Wellington
Orientation, meet fellow students, course providers
Overview of what will be covered
Overview of projects, assign to cohorts
Session 2: Strategy Online 30th September 2-5pm
Actionable Strategy
Leadership Challenges
Business Challenges
Managing Strategic Risk
Strategy versus Strategic Plan
Working with the executive and the board
Session 3: Personal Leadership (Online 2nd October 2-5pm)
Healthy Organisation
Leadership Disciplines
Leadership Styles
Personal Leadership
Emotional Intelligence
Individual Behaviour
Session 4: Developing Critical Influencing Skills for Better Outcomes (Online 14th October 2-5pm)
Influencing skills when responsible for better technology outcomes
Understand communication styles
Scenario-based approach to critical influence skills
Influencing a group meeting
Getting a team onside and focused on delivery
Session 5: Security Online (16th October 2-5pm)
Understanding Cyber posture
Practical Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Security processes with direct links to ITIL/ITSM
Cyber Risk Mapping technique
Visibility to Observability
Selling security investments to key stakeholders
Session 6: Leading Teams (Online 28th October 2-5pm)
Team Definition
Team Dysfunction
Team Engineering
Team Feedback
Plain Language
Session 7: IT Governance in Practice (Online 30th October 2-5pm)
What is Governance and IT/Digital Governance?
The IT Governance Standard and its 6 Principles
What the Standard means for Leadership of Digital Technology
The role of the Information Systems Strategic Plan
Assessing IT Governance Maturity
Roles and skills required
Questions that Boards should ask
Dealing with ethical challenges
Session 8: Conflict management and Negotiation (Online 11th November 2-5pm)
Sources of conflict
Healthy vs unhealthy conflict
Disagreeing without becoming disagreeable
Generating alternatives so both parties' needs are met
Deal making to engage others in a common way forward
Common negotiation tactics
Session 9: Introduction to Change (Online 13th November 2-5pm)
Leadership Obstacles
Leading Change
Essential Controls
Engaging Stakeholders
Communication
Troubled Projects
Session 10: Making the Case for Digital Online 25th November 2-5pm
Creating investment ideas
The role of business cases
Putting together a compelling story
Defining value in business terms
Realising benefits from the investment
What IT professionals need to know about budgeting and finance
Session 12: Project presentations (In Person 2nd December 10am-4pm)
(In-person in Wellington CBD, venue TBC)
Meet in person
Team project presentations to mock Board with all course participants present.
Course summary
Simon Lloyd-Evans
Simon is a seasoned business strategist with over 30 years of real-world experience, offering pragmatic governance and critical, contextual advice. He has worked across a wide range of sectors including health, government, legal, engineering, banking, arts and non-profits, with 20 years in CIO and executive leadership roles.
Known for his engaging leadership style, Simon has built and led high-performing teams that deliver real value. Through his consulting practice, he provides independent, on-demand advice to help organisations make better business decisions and invest in systems that are fit for purpose and value for money.
Course Details
Length: 12-week Masterclass (16th September - 2nd December 2025)
Format: Live online delivery with two in-person sessions (Wellington, venues TBC) All other sessions are instructor-led live online delivery, 2 sessions every second week 2-5pm.
Cost: ITP Financial Members: $4,500.00 + GST ($5,175.00 incl. GST) Non-Members: $5,500.00 + GST ($6,325.00 incl. GST) (includes 12 months ITP membership)
Travel and accommodation for in-person sessions are the responsibility of the participant.