Stanford Manager Academy
Interested in Participating?
Please contact your immediate supervisor or human resources manager
Questions?
For more information regarding leadership programs at Stanford, email learningdev@stanford.edu
A six month cohort program for frontline staff managers, building the core practices, mutual trust, and leadership presence that cultivate a thriving team culture.
What You Will Achieve
Manager Academy is designed for frontline managers at every stage, whether you are newly leading a team or bringing years of experience. By the end of the program, you should be better equipped to:
- Lead meaningful 1 on 1s that build connection, clarity, and accountability
- Give and receive feedback in ways that support growth
- Recognize when low trust is slowing your team down and take action to strengthen it
- Set clear expectations and empower your team to deliver results without overmanaging
- Lead your team through change with greater confidence and consistency
- Manage your own time and energy so you can lead sustainably
How it Works
Three connected experiences. You start with the fundamentals of managing people, build toward leading with trust, and practice applying both alongside a small group of peers working through the same challenges.
Leading at the Speed of Trust
The case for trust, the behaviors of a high-trust leader, and how to extend, restore, or develop trust on your own team
Beyond the Core Curriculum
Stanford Leadership Panel
Gather across cohorts for a candid conversation with seasoned Stanford leaders. Hear firsthand how they have navigated real-world university challenges, managed through complexity, and brought core leadership practices to life in their own teams.
Choosing a Cohort
All six cohorts share the exact same curriculum and learning sequence. Simply select the day, time, and format, hybrid or fully remote, that best fits your schedule.
Hybrid: Tuesdays or Wednesdays
4 Cohort Options
Includes four on-campus gatherings—three interactive workshops plus the final celebration—with virtual sessions via Zoom. Ideal for managers based near campus who value face-to-face collaboration.
Virtual: Thursdays
2 Cohort Options
Delivered entirely via Zoom for complete accessibility. Tailored specifically for fully remote Stanford managers seeking interactive learning and cross-campus connections from anywhere.
Before You Apply: Program Commitments
Ensure you and your supervisor are fully aligned on time, funding, and schedule expectations prior to enrolling.
- Time Commitment: 15 two-hour sessions over six months, a 360 assessment, and a dedicated 1:1 coaching session. Plan for roughly 30 hours of live learning, plus brief prep work between sessions.
- Program Fee: The $1,200 tuition is split evenly between STAP ($600) and your sponsoring department ($600). There is zero out-of-pocket cost to you.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made before the drop deadline incur no fee. Withdrawals after the deadline forfeit the full $1,200 fee ($600 STAP / $600 department), and cohort transfer requests close on that date.
- Manager Alignment: Review the complete schedule with your supervisor before registering. Securing calendar support early ensures dedicated, uninterrupted time for your development.
Who Teaches and Facilitates
Workshops are delivered by certified facilitators from FranklinCovey, a global leadership development partner. To build seamless continuity, peer group coaching is led by your cohort's dedicated facilitator, so you never have to reframe your team context for someone new.
Stanford leaders participate in a dedicated panel discussion to share real-world perspectives on navigating university challenges. Additionally, Stanford faculty join the final program celebration to deliver a feature presentation to participants, and digital completion certificates are issued directly by the Stanford Manager Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
No specific title is required. Manager Academy is open to any staff member who supervises at least one direct report. While supervisors at any stage may apply, the curriculum is designed primarily for early to mid experience managers seeking to strengthen their foundational leadership skills.
Nominations occur twice a year through local HR teams to ensure balanced representation across all university schools and units. To express interest, speak with your supervisor or local HR manager to begin the process.
There is zero out of pocket cost to you personally. The $1,200 tuition fee is split evenly between STAP ($600) and your sponsoring department ($600). Withdrawals made prior to the drop deadline incur no fee; cancellations after the deadline forfeit the full $1,200 from those two funding sources.
To earn your certificate of completion, active participation in all sessions is expected. However, we understand schedule conflicts arise:
- Workshops: You may miss up to two workshop sessions, provided you complete the required makeup work. If you need to miss more than two workshops, you must contact the learning team in advance for a case-by-case review to remain eligible for program credit.
- Peer Group Coaching: You may miss up to two peer group coaching sessions, which also require you to complete designated make-up work. If you need to miss more than two peer group coaching sessions, you must contact the Manager Academy team (learningdev@stanford.edu) in advance for a case-by-case review to remain eligible for program credit.
No. Cohort transfers close at the registration and drop deadline so rosters and facilitator logistics can be finalized. Please select a meeting day and time you can consistently maintain for the full six month program.
You and your 360 coach. Respondent feedback is aggregated and confidential, and the program team does not receive your individual results.
Yes. Workshop hours qualify for Project Management Institute (PMI) Professional Development Units (PDUs). To receive a PDU certificate, email learningdev@stanford.edu or consult the Manager Academy Handbook for instructions.
Already Registered
Review attendance expectations, make up options, the 360, and what you need to complete to earn your certificate.