Executive Education
    ... Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual Right arrow Overview
    ... Right arrow Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual Right arrow Overview
    New Program

    Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual

    New Program
    Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual
    View In-Person Program Offering
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    How corporations should be governed vary widely.
    Learn More
    Apply
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    How corporations should be governed vary widely.
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Program Announcement
    Thank you for your interest in this program. The SEP 2020 session is filled to capacity, and additional applications will not be accepted. For up to date information on future offerings, please bookmark this page.

    Summary

    What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This live online program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.

    You may also be interested in the related in-person program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    Summary

    What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This live online program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.

    You may also be interested in the related in-person program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director.

    Key Benefits
    This virtual board-readiness program examines best practices for corporate boards and explores options and opportunities in corporate board service. You will gain a greater understanding of the role and responsibilities of corporate directors and the challenges you can expect to face in that role. By completing this program, you will signal that you are equipped with the core knowledge needed to be effective as a corporate director.

    DetailsCollapse All

    Maximize your contribution as a board directorMaximize your contribution as a board director
    Dropdown down
    • Confidently assume the role of corporate director, including legal and fiduciary duties
    • Develop the competence and knowledge to manage critical board tasks
    • Appreciate the role and function of the board chair and board committees, especially those related to audit, compensation, and nomination
    • Engage in collaborative decision-making with colleagues who may have differing perspectives
    Expand your leadership capabilitiesExpand your leadership capabilities
    Dropdown down
    • Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction
    • Deepen your awareness of current and emerging issues facing boards and companies
    • Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders in driving long-term corporate performance
    • Interact more effectively with your company's board as a senior executive
    • Become "CEO ready" by using board service as an executive development tool
    Analyze board opportunitiesAnalyze board opportunities
    Dropdown down
    • Evaluate opportunities for board service in various contexts and organizations
    • Perform due diligence before joining a board
    • Assess the time and commitment required to serve on a board
    • Determine the ideal time to join a board and the opportunity where you can make your greatest contribution
    Develop a personal strategy for your board careerDevelop a personal strategy for your board career
    Dropdown down
    • Clarify your reasons and motivations for joining a board
    • Develop a thoughtful plan for integrating board service into your career
    • Plan how you will balance the board director role with a full-time position
    • Manage your personal reputation as a board director, especially in moments of organizational crisis
    Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
    Dropdown down
    • Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    This virtual board-readiness program examines best practices for corporate boards and explores options and opportunities in corporate board service. You will gain a greater understanding of the role and responsibilities of corporate directors and the challenges you can expect to face in that role. By completing this program, you will signal that you are equipped with the core knowledge needed to be effective as a corporate director.
    Details

    Maximize your contribution as a board director

    • Confidently assume the role of corporate director, including legal and fiduciary duties
    • Develop the competence and knowledge to manage critical board tasks
    • Appreciate the role and function of the board chair and board committees, especially those related to audit, compensation, and nomination
    • Engage in collaborative decision-making with colleagues who may have differing perspectives

    Expand your leadership capabilities

    • Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction
    • Deepen your awareness of current and emerging issues facing boards and companies
    • Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders in driving long-term corporate performance
    • Interact more effectively with your company's board as a senior executive
    • Become "CEO ready" by using board service as an executive development tool

    Analyze board opportunities

    • Evaluate opportunities for board service in various contexts and organizations
    • Perform due diligence before joining a board
    • Assess the time and commitment required to serve on a board
    • Determine the ideal time to join a board and the opportunity where you can make your greatest contribution

    Develop a personal strategy for your board career

    • Clarify your reasons and motivations for joining a board
    • Develop a thoughtful plan for integrating board service into your career
    • Plan how you will balance the board director role with a full-time position
    • Manage your personal reputation as a board director, especially in moments of organizational crisis

    Expand your personal and professional network

    • Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

    Who Should Attend

    • Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
    • Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
    • Partners from audit or consulting firms
    • Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
    • Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
    • New board members who are in small and medium sized firms

    Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    • Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
    • Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
    • Partners from audit or consulting firms
    • Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
    • Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
    • New board members who are in small and medium sized firms

    Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

    Leaders in Virtual Learning

    When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    head and shoulder images of people in polygon shapes connected to a laptop with the HBS shield in the center
    Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations
    Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.
    Learn More
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    Leaders in Virtual Learning

    When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    head and shoulder images of people in polygon shapes connected to a laptop with the HBS shield in the center
    Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations
    Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.
    Learn More
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    Admissions Criteria and Process

    We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
    Read More
    Dropdown down

    Answering Your Questions

    Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 14 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 7 to 14 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 7 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

    Answering Your Questions

    Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 14 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 7 to 14 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 7 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    ApplyDownload Brochure
    More Admissions Information
    Program content, dates, fees, 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.
    View In-Person Program Offering
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    How corporations should be governed vary widely.
    Learn More
    Apply
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
    How corporations should be governed vary widely.
    Learn More
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Related Programs
    New Program
    Preparing to Be a Corporate Director
    Date 14–17 MAR 2021
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus

    Program Details
    New Program
    Audit Committees—Virtual
    Date 12–14 NOV 2020
    Format Virtual

    Program Details
    New Program
    Compensation Committees—Virtual
    Date 15–17 NOV 2020
    Format Virtual

    Program Details
    New Program
    Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual
    Date 18–21 NOV 2020
    Format Virtual

    Program Details
    Making Corporate Boards More Effective
    Date 14–17 JUL 2021
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus

    Program Details
    Compensation Committees: New Challenges, New Solutions
    Date 18–20 JUL 2021
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus

    Program Details
    Audit Committees in a New Era of Governance
    Date 21–23 JUL 2021
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus

    Program Details
    Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
    Date 29 NOV–03 DEC 2021
    Format In-Person
    Location HBS Campus

    Program Details
    Explore All ProgramsDownload Program Calendar
    Explore All ProgramsDownload Program Calendar
    Explore All ProgramsApplication PDF

    View Frequently Asked Questions

    Back to Top Arrow up