> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://oecd-media-support-principles.gfmd.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://oecd-media-support-principles.gfmd.info/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads.md).

# Senior Management / Strategy Leads

Senior Management and Strategy Leads play a central role in shaping how support to independent media and information integrity is prioritised, resourced, and embedded across institutional strategies. Decisions taken at this level - on strategic priorities, funding allocations, and institutional direction - directly influence whether media support is treated as a core component of broader governance, security, and development objectives.

This role operates at the intersection of strategic planning, resource allocation, and institutional leadership. Senior Management defines overarching priorities, determines how resources are distributed, and sets the internal signals that guide policy development and programming. This includes how media and information integrity are positioned across sectors, how risks are understood and framed, and whether funding and institutional incentives enable sustained and coherent support.

Consultations highlighted that while media freedom and information integrity are often recognised in principle, they are not always consistently reflected in strategic priorities, instruments, or internal incentives. Strategic direction and leadership signalling are therefore critical in determining whether media support is systematically integrated across the institution or remains dependent on individual initiative. At the same time, this role operates within constraints related to competing priorities, budget limitations, and available instruments, requiring trade-offs between ambition, feasibility, and risk.

This section provides practical guidance to support Senior Management and Strategy Leads in aligning strategic direction, resource allocation, and institutional signalling with the OECD DAC Principles on Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment.

### How to use this section

Depending on your needs, you can navigate directly to:

[**Start here: Quick checklist**](/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads/start-here-quick-checklist-for-senior-management-strategy-leads.md)\
A rapid stress test to assess whether strategic priorities, resource allocation, and institutional signals enable effective and context-appropriate support to media and information integrity.

[**Key considerations for Senior Management / Strategy Leads**](/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads/key-considerations-for-senior-management-strategy-leads.md)\
Common challenges, trade-offs, and what effective leadership looks like in aligning priorities, resources, and cross-sector engagement.

[**Applying the OECD Principles in practice**](/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads/applying-the-oecd-principles-in-practice.md)\
Actionable recommendations aligned with the six OECD Principles.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip**\
If you are new to media and information integrity, start with the [narrative section](/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads/key-considerations-for-senior-management-strategy-leads.md).\
If you are setting strategic direction or making resource decisions, begin with the [checklist](/toolkit/role/senior-management-strategy-leads/start-here-quick-checklist-for-senior-management-strategy-leads.md).
{% endhint %}