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 and Dubai, 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.
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.
Immerse yourself in the business and tech ecosystems of Dubai and Boston to gain insights from industry experts, engage with high-achieving peers from around the globe, and expand your network.
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.
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:
1 week in Boston
Imperatives for Today's Organizations and Leaders
2 weeks in Dubai
Creating Innovative, High-Performance Organizations
2 weeks in Dubai
Creating Customer Value and Strategic Advantage
2 weeks in Boston
Becoming a Transformational Leader
This four-module program creates the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a diverse group of peer executives who can understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization. Throughout the program, you will work with a small group of peers who will stimulate your learning as you:
While on the HBS campus in Boston, you will share social space with your living group, forging relationships that serve as a valuable source of peer feedback, support, and advice.
Through a customized 360-degree assessment of your current skills, you will examine your leadership and management strengths and identify areas for improvement.
Each living group works with a professional coach to optimize group dynamics and maximize the value of the group learning experience. In addition, your coach will work with you one-on-one to help you develop a personal leadership style that works for you.
Using the 360-degree feedback 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. All coaching sessions are strictly confidential, giving you the freedom to share your personal goals and professional challenges.
Throughout the program, you will work on an individual project that addresses a strategic challenge facing your organization. You will:
Every Harvard Business School Executive Education program is developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. In the Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East, participants will have the privilege of working with four Senior Associate Deans from HBS, in addition to 10 award-winning senior faculty. Through publishing, consulting, and teaching, HBS faculty leverage their business expertise and field-based research to develop enduring concepts that shape the practice of management. The result is an Executive Education teaching team whose groundbreaking insights challenge participants' thinking and enable them to become superior business leaders.
Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration
Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing
Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Hellman Faculty Fellow
André R. Jakurski Professor of Business Administration
Professor of Business Administration, Joseph L. Rice, III Faculty Fellow
Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
MBA Class of 1952 Professor of Business Administration
William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration
Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration
Gordon Donaldson Professor of Business Administration
Executive Fellow, Harvard Business School
Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration
The program is ideal for:
UAE
Egypt
India
Jordan
Kuwait
Morocco
Russia
Bahrain
France
Iraq
Kenya
Lebanon
Pakistan
Saudi ArabiaThis 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:
“My biggest takeaway was the importance of culture in an organization. If you do not have a strong culture, no matter how much you micromanage and watch people, you cannot achieve what you need to achieve. If you have a strong culture, your people will do what you want them to do throughout the world.”
Abdulrahman Alkanhal
Vice President,
The Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Saudi Arabia
“This program has enhanced my ability to manage the human resource side of things, and my ability to attract and retain talent, in particular, has grown. I feel equipped to develop more creative strategies with out-of-the-box thinking. I have become more focused on identifying the company’s competitive edge and emphasizing its value proposition.”
Muna Batayneh
Director of Operations,
Engineering Enterprise Company,
Iraq
“I was specifically looking for an educational opportunity that was tailored to executives. I've completed my MBA, studied at three different schools, and participated in other academic programs that support my work. But I had been searching for an educational opportunity that would support my executive role, and I found exactly what I was looking for in the Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East.”
Hala Matar Choufany
President,
HVS Middle East and Africa,
Dubai
“Through the first module, I’ve already gained valuable strategies for driving growth in my region’s unique economy. I’ve also learned that by looking at the big picture, I can more easily identify a challenge’s root causes and discover solutions”
Amr Habis
Deputy Secretary-General,
Olayan Financing Company,
Saudi Arabia
“The professors had a profound impact on my approach to business in general, and my company in particular. They taught me to see through the seemingly chaotic and complex situations that I face as an executive and extract what matters when making decisions under uncertainty.
The way the professors look at complex issues and draw out applicable lessons is nothing short of magic”
Jad Karam
Chief Executive Officer,
Sarooj Construction Company,
Oman
“Two things: First, I wanted exposure to the latest information on various aspects of accounting and economics, and second, I wanted to enhance my time management and decision-making capabilities−both of which will help me meet my career and organization’s objectives.”
Waseem Khayata
Managing Director of Investment,
Finance House,
Dubai
“Before joining SELPME, I was focused on running my business. Now, I’m thinking bigger than ever”
Britt Ludvigsen
CEO and Founder,
Texprego,
Bangladesh
“There were some weaknesses that I needed to overcome in order to become a better leader. I was in my comfort zone, using the same old management techniques, and I wanted to deepen my expertise. I had read about HBS and always admired the style of teaching, so I decided to apply to the program.”
Zoya Sakr
Co-Founder and Group Editor in Chief,
Online Lifestyle Network (OLN),
UAE
| Module | Date | Location | Program Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | 25 FEB – 01 MAR 2024 | HBS Campus | US$75,000 plus Value Added Tax (VAT) |
| Module 2 | 19–31 MAY 2024 | Taj Dubai, Dubai, UAE | |
| Module 3 | 15–27 SEP 2024 | Taj Dubai, Dubai, UAE | |
| Module 4 | 02–13 DEC 2024 | HBS Campus |
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 program start.
Note: The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | OCT 5, 2023 |
| Round 2 | NOV 30, 2023 |
| Round 3 | JAN 18, 2024 |
Please note that admissions to the program are evaluated on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend interested participants apply early.
