Future Focus Group

Committee for Melbourne is committed to the development of emerging leaders as skilled, committed and connected civic leaders who contribute to enduring and positive changes for Melbourne. As part of this ongoing commitment, we are delighted to announce the launch of the Future Focus Group 2024/25 Program (FFG).

Melbourne’s own emerging civic leaders’ program, FFG was first offered in 1996 and has successfully developed emerging leaders in Melbourne who are able to better understand, connect within and contribute to Melbourne while building their leadership capabilities.

FFG is an outstanding opportunity to deliver Committee-sponsored group projects. These projects have included Open House Melbourne, Free Trams in the CBD, the inaugural Melbourne International Student Week and Men’s Shed Parkville Precinct. Melbourne International Student Week will be held again in 2024 as the Committee plans for it to become an enduring part of Melbourne’s annual calendar of events.

The FFG 2024/25 Program will commence in July 2024 and run over 11 months, concluding in June 2025. The 2024/25 FFG program features an induction event, group projects in diverse teams, 10 evening workshops, active one-on-one mentoring and a graduation event – along with opportunities to meet with Melburnian leaders and build enduring relationships with other participants and alumni.

FFG is open to emerging leaders working in member organisations of the Committee, Victorian Government Departments and organisations that are not currently member organisations of the Committee.

The members of the Class of 2021-2022 (17) and the Class of 2022-2023 (16) both worked in three project teams over 15 months. The 2023-2024 Program commenced in February 2023 and will run for 15 months until May 2024, with 8 participants in two project teams. It will be the final Program in the 15 month format.

The Committee will defer the invoicing of program fees until July so that those invoices can fall into the 2024/25 financial year of participating organisations with a 30 June financial year end – and to provide an opportunity for an allowance for the program fees to be included in coming months in Learning & Development expense budgeting for 2024/25.

Please contact Matt Gaffney, General Manager Future Focus Group, if you would like to explore the prospect of nominating an emerging leader of your organisation for the FFG 2024/25 Program. Completed Nomination Forms are sought by 4pm on Monday 20 May 2024.

What does a typical FFG participant look like?

The typical attributes of a candidate for the FFG 2024/25 Program are:

• 8 to 12 years’ work experience, combined with some management experience
• An appetite for some independence, initiative and ambiguity during the Program
• Able to commit to the Program for its duration, including attendance at the Induction event, at 8 or more of the 10 monthly workshops and at Project Team meetings and other interactions
• A strong interest in making Melbourne a better place
• Recognised by leaders of the organisation as a likely future leader of that organisation
• A keen desire to develop leadership skills through a practical learning model in a challenging and diverse team environment

A transformational experience

From big business through to universities and genuine not-for-profits, FFG attracts participants from every sector of the Committee’s membership base. This broad exposure enables participants to develop connections and work with colleagues outside their usual circles, creating a network of professional relationships and friendships that can last a lifetime.

The FFG 2024/25 FFG Program features an induction event, group projects in diverse teams, 10 evening workshops, active one-on-one mentoring and a graduation event – along with opportunities to build enduring relationships with other participants and alumni.

A critical – and unique – component of FFG is the group projects which run for over 12 months. Some of the successful FFG projects to date include Open House Melbourne, The Melbourne Prize, the Free Tram Zone and Melbourne International Student Week.

The Committee will develop 12 potential FFG group projects where the purpose of each of those projects is aligned to a prioritised issue for each of the Committee’s three pillars:

• Future Economy
• Liveability & Urban Optimisation
• Infrastructure & Sustainability

These 12 potential FFG group projects will be showcased to the FFG 2024/25 Program participants at their induction event, with each project team to consider those potential projects and shortlist no more than three of them before the end of the induction event for further exploration.

Alumni testimonial

“Participating in the 22/23 FFG program was an enriching experience, where I had the privilege of connecting with a diverse and inspiring group of peers. The major project I collaborated on with my FFG team coupled with the monthly Q&A sessions with industry leaders not only expanded my knowledge and various skills but challenged and stretched me. I would recommend the FFG Program to any emerging leader who wishes to make a positive impact on Melbourne while enhancing their leadership capabilities in a supportive environment.”

–> Simon Cartwright, Manager, Marketing, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation

Read more FFG Alumni testimonials here.