Managers in Middle Management
Interdisciplinary Skills Development at the Center for Professional Leadership
Middle managers at RWTH are senior engineers, research group managers, heads of division in science, technology and administration, and staff unit managers. The Center for Professional Leadership (CPL) provides a range of offerings that help you develop your leadership, management, and communication skills. We pay particular emphasis on topics such as conversations with employees, self-management, and communication and organization in virtual and hybrid work situations.
As a middle management executive, you will have both strategic and operational leadership responsibilities. In addition to your technical expertise, you need skills in change management; in addition to working on a large number of tasks of varying complexity, you serve as a link between top-level management and the employees in your team. Thus, your area of responsibility between strategy, communication, networking and organization is wide-ranging and challenging. With our diverse offerings we provide you with orientation and support to expand your leadership skills and promote dialogue and exchange.
Continuing Education
We offer an extensive and diverse range of seminar and workshop program. This gives you the opportunity to expand your competencies in your role as a middle manager in a targeted manner.
Further Training for Managers
- Doctoral candidates in leadership roles complete the workshop Leading Teams and Working Groups at RWTH in their first year of responsibility.
- Postdocs participate in the “Leadership at RWTH” workshop during their first two years of leadership responsibility.
- Mid-level academic managers with permanent employment contracts obtain the Leadership Certificate; while (tenure-track) professors complete the Leadership Certificate for Professors.
- The Welcome Workshop provides newly appointed professors learn important information about leadership principles at RWTH. In addition, they complete the Professional Communication workshop offered by the Center for Professional Leadership.
Of course, these offerings are not only open to newly appointed managers and executives, but can also be attended by experienced executives per request.
Advising
We are available to advise you on all matters relating to your leadership responsibilities. Whether you would like to discuss topics related to your leadership role or need support in the context of change processes or team development, we are happy to plan the next steps with you.
Contact us to schedule an advising session
Networking
Networking and the exchange with peers are particularly important to support you on your individual leadership journey. For this reason, the Center for Professional Leadership offers various networking events:
- Workshop for heads of departments and staff units of the Central University Administration
Twice a year, division and staff unit heads meet to learn about current university development issues and talk with the chancellor and the permanent deputy chancellor. There is also space for them to get to know each other better, network across departments, and exchange ideas. - “Spot on Leadership”:
Have you ever talked about leadership responsibilities at lunch? At this luncheon, we spotlight leadership topics and illuminate how they affect our day-to-day work. We will also have exciting keynote speakers bringing fresh ideas to our university that broaden our view and inspire us to keep improving the way we lead. - Peer Group Coaching:
In group coaching sessions with other leaders, participants can discuss and share their ideas on current leadership topics and other specific concerns. In addition, professional input from external trainers will sharpen the participants’ focus regarding leadership tools and methods.
Find current session dates here.
Good to Know
Leadership at RWTH
Information on our leadership principles and a guideline for managers and executives at RWTH is available at: Leadership at RWTH
Personnel Matters at RWTH
Department 8.0 is your central point of contact for all questions concerning human resources, such as job advertisements, hiring, extension of employment, and conditions of employment at RWTH Aachen University. On the RWTH Intranet, you can find further information (in German) on various aspects of legal and administrative staff management and existing service agreements at RWTH.
Also of interest:
Further important information for Managers in Middle Management
Inclusion at RWTH
If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of employees with health impairments in accordance with the legal mandate, please get in touch with the Representative Council for Staff with Disabilities at RWTH Aachen. The Human Resources Department and the Inclusion Officer may assist in answering your questions.
Confidential Advising on Workplace Conflicts
The In-House Social and Psychological Counseling Service and the Ombuds for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice are available to assist you at any time.
Health Management – Improving Your Health and Wellbeing
The Health Management at RWTH is actively engaged in promoting your health with a comprehensive range of services.
Equal Opportunities and Family-Friendly University
With its wide range of advising and support programs, the Equal Opportunities Office and the IGaD staff unit assists RWTH members with achieving balance in their work, family, and personal lives.