Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East

Female participant engaged in meeting room session discussion, listening on as she sits with a pen and paper taking down notes

Grow into a leader with a strategic vision that generates impact. Build customer value and competitive advantage by leveraging new opportunities in the Middle East and globally.

  • Dates

    Dec 14, 2025 – Aug 28, 2026

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    In-Person

  • Location

    HBS Campus, Boston, US; Taj Dubai, Dubai, UAE; and Abu Dhabi, UAE

  • Fee

    $85,000 USD plus Value-Added Tax (VAT)

  • Application Due

    Nov 14, 2025

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

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Change is everywhere in the Middle East, as many countries diversify their economies and encourage new industries to expand. To leverage opportunities in the region’s complex political and economic landscape, companies need executives who are confident decision-makers, skilled strategists, global thinkers, and effective change agents.

The Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East empowers you to make bold market moves and internal changes that foster growth. Through a series of modules in Boston and Dubai, you'll take your leadership skills to the next level and emerge prepared to drive positive change.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Deepen your understanding of the most pressing issues facing today's leaders in the Middle East and beyond

  • Seize growth opportunities and compete successfully in a complex global economy

  • Foster innovations that deliver value to customers and drive corporate success

  • Align your company's operations to achieve strategic objectives and deliver value to customers

  • Expand your ability to define, measure, and monitor performance

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

  • Become a more agile leader and refine your negotiation skills

Program Format

  • 4
    modules
  • 3
    weeks on the HBS campus
  • 4
    weeks of in-person learning in region
  • 45–50
    hours of pre-program work

Our distinctive format program maximizes learning and the development of a global perspective, while minimizing consecutive days away from home and work.

Participants will receive a detailed schedule and case materials approximately two weeks before the program starts.

Module Details

Module 1Dec 14 – 19, 2025Full-TimeHBS Campus, Boston, US
Module 2Feb 1 – 13, 2026Full-TimeTaj Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Module 3May 10 – 22, 2026Full-TimeAbu Dhabi, UAE
Module 4Aug 16 – 28, 2026Full-TimeHBS Campus, Boston, US

Who Should Attend

This program is intended for:

  • Senior executives, senior functional leaders, or general managers from successful, established companies in the Middle East who are preparing to assume new responsibilities or drive growth initiatives

  • Entrepreneurs with established start-ups and executives planning to establish or expand their presence in the Middle East

Ideal organizations include:

  • Large, established companies, either private or state-owned

  • Entrepreneurial ventures

  • Family businesses

  • Multinational firms

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Government agencies—especially those that work closely with the private sector

Top Countries Represented

Female and male executives listen carefully the lecture
43%
Saudi Arabia
28%
United Arab Emirates
5%
Kuwait
5%
Bahrain
3%
Egypt
2%
Oman

Top Industries Represented

  • 15%

    Financial

  • 13%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 10%

    High Technology

  • 6%

    Health Care

  • 6%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 6%

    Real Estate / Construction

  • 6%

    Utilities/Telecommunications

  • 5%

    Manufacturing

  • 4%

    Professional Services

  • 3%

    Education

Experience

Years Worked

  • 7%

    Less than 10 years

  • 18%

    10-14 years

  • 35%

    15-19 years

  • 26%

    20-24 years

  • 10%

    25-29 years

  • 3%

    30-34 years

  • 1%

    35-39 years

Companies That Have Participated

  • ADIA
  • DGCX
  • Deloitte
  • Emirates REIT
  • Equate
  • Finance House
  • Gencallar
  • Joyalukkas
  • The Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Sarooj
  • STC

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

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This is a blended program that alternates in-person and virtual elements. Our regional programs feature modules in relevant major cities around the world in addition to modules at our storied campus at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

Every detail of our HBS campus is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

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.

Admission Rounds

You may apply in one of the following admission rounds:

  • Round 1 application due: May 30, 2025; Notified by: June 13, 2025

  • Round 2 application due: August 1, 2025; Notified by: September 12, 2025

  • Round 3 application due: October 17, 2025; Notified by: November 7, 2025

  • Final applications due: November 14, 2025

Submission of an application after the final deadline will be considered on a rolling, space-available basis.

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.