Digital Transformation Leadership Programme
Lead transformation with confidence
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, many digital transformation initiatives falter due to misalignment with business objectives and insufficient leadership commitment. The Digital Transformation Leadership Programme from Imperial Executive Education is meticulously designed to equip senior professionals with the strategic vision and leadership acumen needed to navigate and overcome these challenges, ensuring successful digital transformation within their organisations.
This programme combines expert-led insights with application-based learning, including hands-on activities and a capstone project. You also get the opportunity to specialise in one of three industry-specific modules – including finance, healthcare or sustainability – allowing you to tailor your learning experience to your professional needs. By the end of the programme, you will be prepared to implement effective digital strategies and lead your organisation confidently into the future.
81%
47%
Key takeaways
By the end of the programme, you will be able to:
Differentiate between existing and emerging digital technologies and their impact on business applications
Analyse and apply digital solutions to solve real-world business challenges
Develop a strategic road map for leading digital transformation in your organisation
Leverage digital transformation technologies for innovation and improved efficiency
Learning approach
Throughout the programme, your learning will be centred around two threads:
Expert-led: with insights from Imperial College Business School faculty and industry practitioners who bring decades of experience in the fields of digital strategy and transformation.
Application-based: with hands-on activities, a specialisation module, and a capstone project that gives you the opportunity to apply programme insights to address organisational challenges.
What you will learn
Explore the transformative potential of key technologies shaping our digital future, and consider the most relevant technologies for your organisation/industry. This section will include:
Programme Orientation
The Cloud and Mobile
The Internet of Things (IoT)
Big Data Analytics
Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
FinTech and Blockchain
Emerging Technologies
Hands-on activities:
Identify the cloud services that are best for local vs remote hosting of data.
Describe or generate unique business uses of mobile that can't be accomplished otherwise.
Think of possible mitigation strategies for various risks of IoT.
Identify patterns in given data sets that reveal a shift in preferences and tastes.
Think of examples where people were augmented or replaced by AI.
Compare and contrast blockchain and AI’s contributions in fintech.
Pick the most relevant technology for your organisation (or industry), and explain why.
Delve into the best practices and strategies for successfully implementing digital transformation while considering privacy and security implications as you transition from products to dynamic platforms and ecosystems. This section will include:
Sources of Value in a Digital World
A Framework for Implementing Digital Transformation
Products to Platforms and Ecosystems Strategy
Business Model Innovation for the Digital Age
Considerations of Privacy and Security
Organising for Internal Innovation
Hands-on activities:
Describe how you would improve on an existing supply chain and how its dynamics would change when digitalised.
Discuss how your organisation's efficiency could be improved by the use of a digital tool, and explain the potential impacts.
Describe how you get initial users to take advantage of network externalities.
Suggest ways in which augmented reality could be used in different industries.
Discuss examples of security breaches that might adversely affect a brand.
Analyse your organisation's position in the industry life cycle.
Hone your leadership competencies to better navigate the challenges of leading digital transformation, and master the art of managing people in disruptive times. This section will include:
Nurturing an Innovation Culture for Continuous Growth
Challenges of Leading Digital Transformation: Why Most Transformations Fail
Managing Organisations through Digital Disruption
Stakeholder Management: C-Suite and Boardroom Dynamics
Specialisation
Leadership Competencies in the Digital World
Hands-on activities:
Discuss why it is important to speak to users or customers to understand their needs.
Anticipate a potential problem within your organisation that could prevent digital transformation from being successful.
Choose one domain from the following options to delve further into areas of specific interest or explore technology-based solutions that are relevant to your organisation or industry.
Finance
Digital transformation is streamlining the finance function across organisations and industries. Discover the nuances of transformation through a financial lens and learn from real-world successes and failures. Use your knowledge to develop a digital transformation plan that drives organisational efficiencies and value.
Healthcare
Technology is revolutionising how healthcare organisations approach business. Examine emerging industry trends and understand how data is transforming healthcare. Discover how you can leverage these insights to elevate your leadership and drive digital transformation within your organisation.
Sustainability
Technology and innovation have the power to accelerate sustainability initiatives. Identify emerging trends, determine your leadership style, and use your knowledge to create a digital transformation plan that helps set your organisation apart as a leader in sustainability.
Who is this programme for?
This 20-week accelerated leadership programme is designed for senior executives and functional managers interested in effectively leveraging emerging technologies to transform their organisations. It is particularly relevant for the following roles:
CXOs and executive leaders seeking to align digital transformation strategies with business execution
Mid-level to senior managers looking to gain a deeper understanding of emerging technologies and their applications to stay ahead of the curve
Entrepreneurs keen on incorporating the latest digital strategies and technologies into their business models and leading their industry
Consultants wanting to stay up to date with digital transformation trends and provide relevant insights to their clients
Past participant profile
Over 75% of our past participants have at least 15 years of work experience, highlighting the value this programme offers to professionals in leadership positions with diverse functional responsibilities and a global cohort
Diverse functional responsibilities
A wide range of work experience
Global Cohort
Programme highlights
Cutting-edge content
Understand emerging technologies and enhance leadership skills for the digital age through selected examples across disciplines.
Specialisation modules
Choose a specialisation in finance, healthcare, or sustainability to tailor your learning and gain expertise aligned with your career goals.
Assignments
Receive graded feedback on assignments and progress in your learning journey.
Capstone project
Work on a capstone project with two check-ins, applying programme insights to a real-world business problem in your organisation or industry.
Industry insights
Learn to implement digital transformation through recorded expert interviews, real-world cases, and weekly access to learning facilitators.
Capstone project
Work on a capstone project that applies programme insights to develop a comprehensive digital transformation plan and craft effective digital strategies that can be applied in your organisation. You will get hands-on practice in developing the following:
Benchmark
Problem identification
Data management
Platforms, risks, privacy and security
Sources of value
Implementation frameworks
Digital transformation with Imperial Executive Education
The Digital Transformation Leadership Programme from Imperial Executive Education is designed with a perfect blend of world-class teaching, practical experience and cutting-edge training. Ranked second in the world in the QS University Rankings 2025, Imperial College London is a beacon of innovation, where groundbreaking ideas meet real-world impact. We combine visionary thinking with pioneering technology to solve the most pressing global challenges, benefitting both business and society. At Imperial, you won’t just learn about the future of business and digital transformation – you will be equipped to lead it.
Case studies and industry examples
Understand how LinkedIn used a customer-centric approach to develop new job suggestion algorithms.
Netflix
Discover how Netflix leveraged big data to enhance customer prediction algorithms.
Kodak
Learn how Kodak failed to fully embrace digital technology, leading to its eventual decline.
Microsoft
Analyse Microsoft’s metaverse strategy and how it was impacted by the anti-trust case in the UK/EU.
LEGO
Discuss which digital-led strategic changes undertaken by LEGO helped it to stay competitive in an evolving digital market.
Meet the faculty
Professor of Digital Strategy and Innovation, Imperial College Business School
Christopher L Tucci is Professor of Digital Strategy and Innovation at Imperial College Business School and Co-Director (Education) for I-X, Imperial's new campus concept cent...
Guest speakers
Professor of Financial Economics, Imperial College Business School
Rajkamal Iyer is an associate professor of finance at Imperial College London and a research advisor at the Bundesbank. His research centres on banking and financial intermedi...
Head of the Leadership Lab, Imperial College Business School
Frank Brueck is the leadership lab lead at the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society and the executive vice president of the GOLDEN for IMPACT Foundation at Imperial College...
Visiting Researcher at the Imperial College Centre for Cryptocurrency Research
Catherine Mulligan is a visiting lecturer at Imperial College London. Using her expertise in digital technologies and sustainability, she has made significant contributions at...
Visiting Faculty, Healthcare Innovation, Imperial College Business School
Loy Lobo is a visiting lecturer at Imperial College Business School, where he draws on his experience as a healthcare and life sciences strategist to teach about the managemen...
Professor of Technology and Innovation Management (Healthcare), Imperial College Business School
James Barlow is a professor of technology and innovation management (healthcare) and a member of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Innovation at Imperial College Lond...
Adjunct Professor in Business Analytics and Digital Business, Martti Ahtisaari Institute, Oulu Business School, University of Oulu
Marika Livari’s key expertise is within business modelling, strategising, open innovation and ecosystems thinking. She has been active in various industries, including creativ...
Certificate
Upon completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a verified digital certificate by Imperial Executive Education.
Note: You will earn the Associate Alumni status upon successful completion of the programme. Visit the Associate Alumni page to find out more.
Executive Certificate in AI and Digital Transformation
FAQs
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this programme is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated programme adviser will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This is a graded programme. You will be required to complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points and a cumulative score of 75% is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the programme?
The primary objective of this programme is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
How much time will I be expected to devote to this programme?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will I spend my time in this programme?
You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos, video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks, and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and programme leaders.
How is the programme administered? Can the programme be accessed anytime?
The programme is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all programme-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool. The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the programme. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.
Do I need to attend live sessions every week?
Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced course leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together, along with guidance from the moderators.
Can I download the programme videos?
You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded. All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course. A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life. This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the learning platform and all programme materials (videos excluded) for one full year following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this programme?
To successfully complete this programme online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programmes. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.
What is the programme fee for the programme and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is shown at the top of this page.
Flexible payment options, group enrolment benefits and referral bonus are available.
Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your programme adviser to discuss.
What if I don’t have a credit card – is there another mode of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance via wire transfer. Please contact your programme adviser for more details.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
Yes. Flexible payment options are available for this programme. We partner with loan partners to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available—you can find the options here.
Does the programme fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?
Yes, the programme fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Programme Advisers or call us at +44 208 629 1765 (UK) / +1 315 509 2976 (US) / +65 3138 2451 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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