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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Faculty Chair
Jakurski Family Associate Professor of Business Administration
Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration
Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing
André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration
Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration
Professor of Business Administration, Joseph L. Rice, III Faculty Fellow
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration
Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
T.J. Dermot Dunphy Professor of Business Administration
F. Warren Mcfarlan Associate Professor of Business Administration
Gordon Donaldson Professor of Business Administration
MBA Class of 1952 Professor of Business Administration
William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration
Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration
Note: Faculty list is subject to change
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
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.
Email: hbs_selpme@emeritus.org
Phone: U.S. +1 315 667 1897 | U.K. +44 1233 225154 | U.A.E. +971 80 0088601089 | LATAM +52 55970 70428 | SG +65 3129 8406 | India 000 8009191947
For group enrollment benefits, write to us at enterprise@emeritus.org
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