People Management Framework

The People Management Framework is An Ecosystem for developing People Management capability at Imperial 

At Imperial, we know that great science and innovation start with great people - and great people need great managers. Imperial’s People Management Framework sets clear standards and provides practical support for line managers, ensuring that excellent people management is experienced across the university. By investing in our managers, we strengthen the performance, wellbeing, and engagement of our staff community, which are key drivers of our long-term success. 

What does it include?

The framework sets clear standards for what good people management looks like and provides practical tools to make it achievable. It consists of three parts: 

Live workshops: Core training all managers are expected to attend, covering the core expectations of our Line Managers and relevant tools and skills.  
Managers' Toolkit: Practical templates for everyday management and self-assessment. A personal diagnosis against the framework   
Social Learning & continued development through establishing Communities Of Practice, Action Learning Sets, and Special Interest Groups 

What is it?

The People Manager Framework (PMF) is a structured development programme for all people managers across the university. This is more than training - it’s a cultural shift. By investing in our managers, we create stronger teams, better staff experiences, and a foundation for excellence. The People Management Framework is central to our ambition to be a world-leading institution where people thrive.

What does it entail?

It is not a one-off training course. It is an ecosystem of learning combining live sessions, peer learning, self-directed resources, and practical guidance. All of these are designed to build confident, effective managers over time.  

Why now?

Managers shape culture more than almost any other group in an organisation, yet they are frequently the least supported. As Imperial goes through an ambitious period of change and transformation, we need effective line managers now more than ever.  

What will managers get access to?

The PMF is a development ecosystem for line managers. 
Live facilitated workshops that clarify expectations and explore skills to strengthen core management capabilities   
Management Toolkit: Practical templates for everyday management and self-assessment. A personal diagnostic against the framework   
Key policies and guidance, including performance, reasonable adjustments, return from leave, and overseas working  
COPs: Cross-faculty communities of practice to connect and share   
ASLs: Action learning sets, which are small peer groups on real challenges  
SIGs: Special interest groups on themes they choose   
LinkedIn Learning: Curated self-paced courses aligned to the PMF library   

Do you have a question? 

You can contact the Talent & Culture team  

• Madiha Sajid m.sajid@imperial.ac.uk  

• Alex Ong a.ong@imperial.ac.uk   

• Jane Sloan j.sloan@imperial.ac.uk   

The Talent Strategy Working Group was established in February 2025

• Understand the development needs of Line Managers
• Data was analysed from HR Reports, Staff Survey 2024, Wellbeing Survey 2024, and ARC Evaluation

Key themes were identified

• Inconsistent experiences of line management support, managers lacked formal training, and there was a disparity in team sizes
• Managing probations, performance management, wellbeing, supporting neurodivergent colleagues, workplace adjustments, sickness absences, having difficult conversations, giving quality feedback, etc.
• We need to equip Line Managers with the right tools: not necessarily to know the answers, but to demonstrate the care and intentionality of supporting their team through care, coaching, and facilitating a safe space

The paper was approved at PCC in February 2026

• Approval for the People Management Framework to be rolled out in collaboration with Faculties & Directorates

Meet the Talent Strategy Working Group

1. Chair: Madiha Sajid (Talent & Culture)
2. Co-Chair: Clare Budden, Head of People Partnering 
3. Admin support: Anisa Adnan (Talent & Culture)
4. Employee Relations team rep: Maria Langton (Senior Employee Relations Manager, HR)
5. HR Partner rep: Sydney Cunningham (HR Partner FoE)
6. ECRI rep: Ines Perpetuo (Consultant, Early Career Researcher Institute)
7. Engineering: Anusha Sri-Pathmanathan (Director of Operations)
8. HQ and Academic Services: Andrew Tebbutt (Director of Outreach)
9. Union rep & teaching fellow: Vijay Tymms (representing the Teaching Fellow community)
10. Academic community: Professor Nick Brooks (Department of Chemistry)
11. Operational roles: Sheena MCDonugah (Village Manager, North Acton Halls of Residence)
12. Technicians’ rep: Ingrid Logan (Technical Services and Safety Manager, Dyson School of Design Engineering)
13. Clinical roles Faculty of Medicine: Valerio Celentano (Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer) Department of Surgery & Cancer