Delivering at HEO & SEO Level: From Activity to Impact

At Higher Executive Officers (HEO) and Senior Executive Officers (SEO) level, your role shifts from doing work to making work happen.

You are expected to turn policy intent into delivery, manage people and resources with judgement, and support senior leaders with clarity and confidence. Strong execution at this level is not optional.  It builds trust, creates momentum, and creates credibility which is needed for career progression.

This interactive conference is designed to help HEOs and SEOs move beyond busyness and into effective, visible impact.  The day will equip you with the mindset, skills and judgement needed to perform strongly at middle management level and show that you are capable of the standard expected at the next grade.

Why attend:

• Gain a clear, practical understanding of what strong execution looks like at HEO & SEO level
• Build confidence in prioritising, and managing delivery trade-offs
• Learn how to lead work through other using effective delegation, feedback and accountability
• Strengthen your ability to communicate with senior leaders, Ministers' and stakeholders
• Move from task delivery to managing risk, outcomes and stepping into the role of a key influencer

09:00

Welcome & Opening Conference Remarks

From Busy to Effective: Delivering at HEO & SEO Level

• What strong execution really looks like at HEO and SEO level
• Common execution gaps that cause capable people to stall
• Shifting from activity to personal impact and credibility

Sandra Johnson, Founder Sandra Johnson UK, Former Whitehall Civil Servant and FTSE Leader

09:30

Mastering Effective Delivery

• Turning policy intent into clear, deliverable actions
• Managing competing priorities and making delivery trade-offs
• Practical activity: Prioritisation exercises using real Civil Service case studies

10:20

Practical People Management for HEOs & SEOs

• Creating a supportive team culture for junior staff (AOs, EOs)
• Using effective delegation techniques to develop capability, not just a task handover
• Giving clear, constructive feedback that staff can act on
• Addressing performance and behaviour issues early
• Practical activity: Diagnosing a team performance issue and agreeing practical actions

11:10

Comfort Break

11:25

From Insight to Impact: Making Data-Driven Decisions

• Interpreting data to identify what matters the most
• Tips for spotting trends, risks and gaps quickly
• Best practice for turning data into concise briefings
• Practical activity: Producing a concise ‘key points’ summary from sample data

12:15

Lunch

13:15

Policy & Briefing Masterclass

• Drafting and reviewing policy documents to a high standard
• Structuring briefings for senior leaders and Ministers’ offices
• Presenting recommendations with clarity and confidence
• Knowing when to challenge, when to support, and how to do both well
• Practical activity: Strengthening a short briefing to improve clarity and impact

14:05

Building Effective Stakeholder Relationships

• Managing expectations and maintaining professional relationships
• Communicating decisions clearly and confidently
• Handling internal and external stakeholder challenges
• Moving beyond relationship-building to influence and results
• Scenario activity: Responding to a challenging stakeholder situation

14:55

Comfort Break

15:10

Managing Resources and Risks

• Managing budgets, contracts and resources responsibly
• Balancing competing priorities when time is limited
• Identifying risks early and applying proportionate mitigation
• Practical activity: Risk review - what do you own, escalate or mitigate?

16:00

Chair's Closing Remarks & Conference Close