General Management Program

Video duration:5:11

Shaping the future of outstanding leaders. This program empowers you with the leadership skills to move beyond your field of expertise and play an increasingly strategic role in your organization.

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    Blended

  • Location

    Virtual and HBS Campus

  • Fee

    $80,000

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

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Impact at scale starts with cultivating a deeper understanding of enterprise strategy, business operations, and multidisciplinary approaches to leadership. It's how leaders turn disruption into opportunities and elevate corporate success.

The General Management Program is a career-changing experience designed to broaden your business perspective, management expertise, and leadership skills. You'll develop the ability to build teams that drive change and give your organization a competitive edge. 

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Deepen your knowledge of financial management, strategy formulation, and accounting 

  • Navigate industry disruption and learn how to drive innovation by building a culture of experimentation  

  • Capitalize on digital transformation, AI, and ESG 

  • Enhance your analytical and negotiation skills to handle complex decision-making and gain a competitive advantage  

  • Learn to recognize and diagnose problems, and quickly identify or generate winning solutions 

  • Think about the big picture and consider global and industry forces in decision-making  

  • Grow as an agile leader who never stops steering their organization forward

Program Format

  • 4
    modules
  • 4
    weeks on the HBS campus
  • 3
    weeks of full-time live online learning
  • 9
    weeks of part-time self-paced learning

The General Management Program requires just seven weeks away from the office over the course of four months. You will alternate between full-time, rigorous modules and part-time, self-paced modules that provide the opportunity to apply new insights at work. Through this proven "learn-apply-refine" approach, you can prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead while moving forward in your current role.

To offer flexibility to executives around the world, live online sessions in Module 2 will follow a global-friendly schedule.

Module Details

Module 1Jan 6 – Feb 8, 2025Part-TimeVirtual, Self-Paced
Module 2Feb 9 – 28, 2025Full-TimeVirtual, Live Online
Module 3Mar 1 – 29, 2025Part-TimeVirtual, Self-Paced
Module 4Mar 30 – Apr 25, 2025Full-TimeHBS Campus

Module 1: Part-Time, Virtual (Self-Paced)

Participants should set aside 15–20 hours per week to complete self-directed assignments.

Module 2: Full-Time, Virtual (Live Online)

Participants will spend 40–50 hours per week to complete class sessions, learning group discussions, case study preparation, coaching, and faculty office hours.

Live online sessions:

  • Monday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. ET or 6:00–9:30 p.m. ET, depending on preference

  • Please note that session start and end times may be slightly adjusted and final confirmation will be given during Module 1

Individual learning group sessions:

  • Monday–Friday: 7:45–8:45 a.m. ET

Full cohort sessions:

  • Monday–Friday: 9:00–10:30 a.m. ET

  • The full cohort session will cover a range of formats: guest speakers, group work, and networking

Module 3: Part-Time, Virtual (Self-Paced)

Participants should set aside 20–30 hours per week to complete self-directed assignments, one individual coaching session, and one group coaching session.

Module 4: Full-Time, HBS Campus

Participants will receive a detailed schedule approximately one month prior to module start date.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for executives looking to expand their impact through an end-to-end understanding of the enterprise and a multidisciplinary approach to leadership.  

 Ideal candidates include:  

  • Functional leaders at large organizations whose role is significantly expanding 

  • Executives becoming business-unit, divisional, cross-functional, or regional leaders 

  • Top executives at midsize organizations who have profit-and-loss responsibility 

  • Executives in roles that cover the scope of general manager, deputy general manager, vice or senior vice president

Global Perspective

Two female and two male executives sit and smile around a table filled with notes.
13%
Africa
20%
Asia Pacific
15%
Europe
8%
Latin America
13%
Middle East
31%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 19%

    Financial

  • 12%

    High Technology

  • 7%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 7%

    Professional Services

  • 6%

    Consumer Products

  • 6%

    Health Care

  • 6%

    Manufacturing

  • 6%

    Real Estate / Construction

  • 4%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 4%

    Nonprofit Services

Companies That Have Participated

  • Adidas
  • Amazon
  • Cisco
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • First Republic Bank
  • Kimberly-Clark
  • Maersk Group
  • Microsoft
  • Monsanto
  • Powdr Corporation
  • Philips
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Schlumberger

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

  • Headshot of Stefan H. Thomke

    Stefan H. Thomke

    William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration Chair, General Management Program

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This is a blended program that alternates in-person and virtual elements. Immersive modules take place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs. Virtual modules provide the opportunity to learn from anywhere in the world to provide flexibility for busy leaders.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Thoughtfully designed virtual learning experiences. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.