Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East

    Total Work Experience

    STARTS ON

    December 14, 2025

    LOCATIONS

    Boston, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi

    PROGRAM FEE

    US$85,000

    plus VAT

    ELIGIBILITY

    A minimum of 10 years of work experience

    Accelerate Your Leadership Journey

    Change is everywhere in the Middle East today as countries seek to diversify their economies and encourage new industries. The region's complex business environment is surrounded by distinct political and economic challenges in each country and an uncertain global economy. Businesses seeking opportunities for growth in the region need exceptional leaders—executives who are bold decision-makers, global thinkers, and skilled strategists.

    The Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East (SELPME) will prepare leaders for this evolving scenario. Taught in a series of modules offered in Boston, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, this business management program will help you become a more capable leader who can deliver value in the global context, drive new levels of innovation, and build accountable, high-performance organizations.

    A Comprehensive Learning Journey

    LP - HBS-SELPMI - A Comprehensive Learning Journey - 1
    Grow

    Experience an in-depth curriculum taught by HBS faculty that gives you the knowledge and tools to advance as a business leader, maximize your organization’s potential, and gain a competitive advantage.

    LP - HBS-SELPMI - A Comprehensive Learning Journey - 2
    Interact

    Immerse yourself in the business and tech ecosystems of Boston, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to gain insights from industry experts, engage with high-achieving peers from around the globe, and expand your network.

    LP - HBS-SELPI - A Comprehensive Learning Journey-3
    Execute

    Turn insight into action through dynamic case discussions, engaging small group exercises, and a value mapping strategy project. Make an immediate and direct impact on your organization’s business goals.

    Key Takeaways

    • Think strategically, compete successfully, and seize growth opportunities

    • Foster innovations that will improve your organization's ability to deliver value to customers

    • Lead authentically and ethically at all levels and foster a culture of accountability across the organization

    • Build confidence in yourself as a leader, decision-maker, and negotiator

    • Develop enduring bonds with accomplished peers spanning functions, industries, and countries

    • Take advantage of resources for lifelong learning as a member of the global HBS alumni community

    Curriculum

    Special Program Features

    Living/learning group work

    A four-module program creates the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a small, diverse group of peer executives who can understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization.

    Hallmark HBS case method

    Pioneered by HBS, the case method engages you in a dynamic and collaborative process of identifying relevant issues and applying practical business solutions to your own situation and organization.

    Value Mapping Strategy Project

    Throughout the program, you will work on an individual project addressing a strategic challenge facing your organization. You will consider value from the customer’s perspective, compare your own offering with those of competitors, refine your strategy, and develop an action plan for driving the changes that will improve value and sustain success.

    360-degree assessment

    Using the 360-degree leadership assessment tool as a starting point, your personal coach will work closely with you to identify your strengths, target areas for improvement, and help you develop a personal action plan for ongoing development.

    HBS Executive coaching

    Our distinctive coaching method is highly integrated into the program to accelerate both individual and team growth. Through one-on-one and group coaching, your professional coach can help you realize your true leadership potential.

    Self-paced financial accounting course

    Between modules two and three, you will engage in an online course to deepen your understanding of key accounting concepts. Working at your own pace, you’ll enhance your ability to perform and oversee essential accounting tasks—from constructing cash flow statements to evaluating the financial health of investment opportunities.

    Is SELPME Right For You?

    This program is designed for experienced senior executives who are general managers or functional leaders. It is particularly appropriate for those assuming new responsibilities or driving new growth initiatives in organizations that have experienced success within the Middle East, whether on their own or with regional partners. Participants could represent a number of organizations, including:

    • Large, established companies

    • Entrepreneurial ventures

    • Family businesses

    • Multinational firms with an increased presence in the Middle East

    • Nonprofit organizations

    • Government agencies, especially those working closely with the private sector

    HBS Alumni Status

    Join a global community of successful executives. Your HBS experience continues to deliver benefits long after the program ends. Graduates of the Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East become alumni of Harvard Business School, joining a network of highly accomplished executives. As a lifetime member of the HBS alumni community, you will be able to:

    • Tap into a global resource of more than more than 85,000 MBA and HBS Executive Education alumni in over 160 countries

    • Connect with members of 93 HBS alumni clubs and associations worldwide at business, learning, social, and community service events

    • Access our vast database of management content and thought leadership assets at Baker Library/Bloomberg Center Services

    • Stay in touch with a lifelong HBS email forwarding address

    • Access our exclusive portal to support your career transitions

    • Take advantage of alumni-only coaching and career development opportunities, including tools for polishing your resume and networking

    • Receive a 20 percent discount on regularly priced items, including HBS Press books, Harvard Business Review article reprints, and case studies

    • Enjoy a 30 percent discount on our open-enrollment offerings

    Faculty

    Faculty

    Tarun Khanna is the Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at Harvard Business School. For almost three decades, he has studied entrepreneurship as a means to social and economic development in emerging markets. At HBS, he has taught courses on strategy, international business, and economic development to undergraduate and graduate students and senior executives.

    Tarun Khanna

    Faculty Chair

    Additional Faculty

    Eva Ascarza
    Eva Ascarza

    Jakurski Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

    LP - HBS-SELPI - Dennis W. Campbell
    Dennis W. Campbell

    Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration

    LP - HBS-SELPI - Rohit Deshpandé
    Rohit Deshpandé

    Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing

    C. Fritz Foley
    C. Fritz Foley

    André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration

    Linda A. Hill
    Linda A. Hill

    Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration

    Nien-Hê Hsieh
    Nien-Hê Hsieh

    Professor of Business Administration, Joseph L. Rice, III Faculty Fellow

    Kevin P. Mohan
    Kevin P. Mohan

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    Felix Oberholzer-Gee
    Felix Oberholzer-Gee

    Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration

    Krishna G. Palepu
    Krishna G. Palepu

    Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

    Sophus A. Reinert
    Sophus A. Reinert

    T.J. Dermot Dunphy Professor of Business Administration

    Meg Rithmire
    Meg Rithmire

    F. Warren Mcfarlan Associate Professor of Business Administration

    James K. Sebenius
    James K. Sebenius

    Gordon Donaldson Professor of Business Administration

    Debora L. Spar
    Debora L. Spar

    MBA Class of 1952 Professor of Business Administration

    Stefan H. Thomke
    Stefan H. Thomke

    William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration

    Michael L. Tushman
    Michael L. Tushman

    Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration

    Note: Faculty list is subject to change

    Who Should Attend

    The program is ideal for:

    • Senior executives, senior functional leaders, or general managers working in the Middle East or with regional partners who want to sharpen their management and leadership skills and are preparing to assume new responsibilities or drive growth initiatives

    • Leaders with 10+ years of work experience and who represent a range of growth-focused organizations, from large, established companies and growing arms of multinational firms to new ventures and family businesses

    • Executives from multinational firms with recently acquired or significantly expanded management responsibilities who will be working in the Middle East

    Past Participant Profiles

    Job Titles*
    • Chief Executive Officer

    • Board Member and Partner

    • Chief Financial Officer

    • Chief Operating Officer

    • Deputy Executive Director

    • Deputy Governor

    • General Manager

    • Chief Administrative Officer

    • Chief Information Officer

    • Consultant—Medical Doctor

    *Partial lists

    Countries*

    • UAE

    • Egypt

    • India

    • Jordan

    • Kuwait

    • Morocco

    • Russia

    • Bahrain

    • France

    • Iraq

    *Partial lists

    Organizations*
    • ADIA

    • DGCX

    • Deloitte

    • Emirates REIT

    • Equate

    • Finance House

    • Gencallar

    • Joyalukkas

    • Sarooj

    • STC

    *Partial lists

    Past Participant Testimonials

    Date and Fee

    Program Fee: US$85,000 plus value added tax (VAT)

    Date

    Location

    Module 1

    December 14 – 19, 2025

    HBS Campus, Boston, US

    Module 2

    February 1 – 13, 2026

    Taj Dubai, Dubai, UAE

    Module 3

    May 10 – 22, 2026

    Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Module 4

    August 16 – 28, 2026

    HBS Campus, Boston, US

    Participants should expect to spend approximately 25 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending Module 1 of the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to the start of the program.

    Note: The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.

    Application Deadlines

    Round 1

    CLOSED

    Round 2

    AUGUST 01, 2025

    Round 3

    OCTOBER 17, 2025

    Round 4

    NOVEMBER 14, 2025

    Please note that admissions to the program are evaluated on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend interested participants apply early.

    Connect with an Emeritus learning advisor for a 1:1 session

    Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!

    Starts on December 14, 2025