First Time Supervisor Program
The First Time Supervisor Program provided by Duke's Professional Development Institute will focus on developing high-potential Duke staff who aspire to become supervisors or who will be moving into new supervisory roles. The program will provide a structured development program in the areas of people management, budgeting, project management and other supervisory competencies.
Applications for the First Time Supervisor Program are not being accepted at this time.
- Target Audience
- Goal
- Program Features
- Training Time Commitments
- Selection Criteria and Process
- Mentor/Mentee Partnership Component
Target Audience
High-performing Duke staff who aspire to become supervisors and have been identified by managers as a person with high potential for supervisory positions may be recommended for the program. The program is not limited to a certain type or level of position at Duke.
Goal
To develop, prepare and retain high-performing staff for supervisory/management opportunities at Duke.
Program Features
- Classes, for example
- Managing difficult work relationships
- Project and budget management
- Managerial communication
- Monthly coaching sessions with PDI staff
- Stretch assignments within your department
- Provide participants an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills obtained through coursework in the work environment
- Individual assessments and development planning
- Participants commit to a retention agreement of 24 months of post-graduation employment at Duke
- Manager's Role
- Class members will participate as part of their regular work schedule
- Managers actively support training and coaching of participants
- Managers will nominate a mentor for the participants
- Mentor's Role
- Monthly meetings
- Actively provide support throughout the program
- All participants are required to complete Guide to Managing at Duke, a three-day management program.
Training Time Commitments
- Individuals will be asked to participate in a minimum of two to three days per month of classroom training. During the program, participants will need to be released from their regular work schedule to cover this training time.
- Additional training time may be scheduled during regular work hours for coaching and mentoring sessions, and on-the-job stretch assignments.
Selection Criteria and Process
The First Time Supervisor program will include a diverse class of up to 20 participants. The following are the minimum requirements to be considered for the program:
- Recommendation and full endorsement from current manager including the completion of a manager nomination form.
- Full-time Duke employee with minimum of three years of continuous service
- Performance, as defined by the department, which "fully achieves or meets standards" for the previous two years of continuous service. Applicants with "exceeds standards" will be given priority consideration.
- Minimum of a high school diploma is required depending on the supervisory/managerial position the individual is working toward (some positions will require an associate's, bachelor's or advanced degree).
- Consistent demonstration of expertise in field appropriate to applicant's area of responsibilities.
- Acceptance of a retention agreement for two years following completion of program.
Because of the competitiveness of the program, the highly selective application process will include the following:
- Completion of electronic application to be submitted to manager (requests information about the participant's accomplishments, career goals and understanding of the program).
- Nomination by manager to PDI
- Manager must identify a mentor for participant.
- Final review and endorsement of nominations by senior HR administrator for school, entity or functional area.
- Recommendation by selection committee (based on program application and structured interview).
Mentor/Mentee Partnership Component
- Manager must identify a mentor (experienced manager/supervisor with at least five years of service at Duke).
- Mentor nomination will be based on their role in the organization, ability to meet with participants at least once per month, and willingness to participate in required training and check-in sessions.
- Mentors will:
- Provide guidance on setting and achieving developmental goals.
- Share insight into building and maintaining effective professional relationships.
For more information, please contact the Professional Development Institute at 919-684-5406, by e-mail at pdi@duke.edu or visit our web site.