Chief Strategy Officer Program
In the dynamic and fast-paced world of business, the execution of strategy faces numerous challenges. Staying focused on long-term strategy while tackling short-term pressures is a key challenge. Complexities such as insufficient resources, resistance to change, and a lack of alignment among stakeholders necessitate leaders who are resolute yet flexible and can persist in the face of setbacks while tactically responding to environmental shifts.
Strategy executives are driven to influence and shape strategic directions while leading their teams through the complexities of the modern business environment. The ten-month Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Program from Wharton Executive Education is designed for executives who aim to understand external environments, read early warning signals of disruption, and align their organization’s strategy to gain a competitive advantage. You will emerge with the confidence to tackle disruptive forces and evolve into an influential strategic architect who can navigate any challenge.
Program Highlights
- Evaluate an organization’s existing strategic initiatives and strengths in marketplace positioning to identify areas of improvement and potential competitive advantages
- Analyze an organization’s readiness and preparedness to undergo transformative changes while evaluating the building blocks necessary to create a sustainable long-term strategic growth plan
- Apply proven approaches and models to facilitate successful expansion into foreign markets and industries
- Recognize, plan for, and incorporate disruptive trends in technology to drive competitive advantage and identify transformational opportunities within the organization
PROGRAM DETAILS
Duration: 10 months
Location:
Online + On Campus*
*Includes a two-day immersion on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, PA, USA
The program fee is US$22,000 and covers teaching fees, all academic material, and access to online coursework. The fee does not include accommodation for the on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event, transport expenses (domestic, international, visa fee, and more), and other expenses not specifically mentioned in the fees.
Program Format
The CSO Program is a flexible learning journey designed for existing and aspiring strategy leaders. You will learn through online and interactive sessions, fireside chats, and guest lectures led by Wharton faculty and global industry leaders. Through a blend of cutting-edge curriculum, topical case studies, a capstone project, and try-it activities, the program will enable you to hone your strategy acumen and prepare to lead your organization.
Three core modules
(Nineteen weeks)
| Strategic Architect | Disruptive Growth Catalyst |
| CSO as a Global Leader | |
Two short courses
(Seven weeks each)
| Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development | Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom |
Two-day on-campus recognition ceremony and networking event
Who Should Attend
The CSO Program is ideal for executives involved in strategy development for their organizations or functions. This can include CSOs or vice presidents of strategy who are looking to deepen their skills as well as C-suite executives or heads of different functions who are interested in gaining skills to formulate agile strategies for their organizations.
A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience and fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Pathway to Wharton Alumni Status
Executives who successfully complete the CSO Program have the option of applying to the General Management Program (GMP). The GMP provides further opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and business acumen with a flexible curriculum. The CSO Program provides one credit toward the six required to complete the GMP and earn alumni status. More details on the GMP are available at Wharton Executive Education.
Upon qualifying for Wharton Alumni Status, you will be eligible to receive:
- Full access to become a member of 77+ Wharton Alumni Clubs
- Invitation to attend future Wharton Global Alumni Forums
- A Wharton forwarding email address
Please also note that participation in the Chief Strategy Officer Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at the University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript; and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution.
Delivered in collaboration with program partner Emeritus:
Nicolaj Siggelkow, PhDSee Faculty Bio
David M. Knott Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Competitive strategy, firms as systems of interconnected choices
Andrew M. Carton, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Managing intergroup relations; establishing a sense of purpose
Exequiel Hernandez, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Immigration, global networks, firm internationalization, innovation, corporate strategy
Raghuram Iyengar, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Miers-Busch, W’1885 Professor; Professor of Marketing; Faculty Director of Innovation, Experiential Learning and Research Initiatives, Analytics at Wharton, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Pricing, social influence, social networks
Rahul Kapoor, PhDSee Faculty Bio
David W. Hauck Professor; Professor of Management, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Innovation, technology management and strategy, industry evolution, firm boundaries, business ecosystems
Christian Terwiesch, PhDSee Faculty Bio
Andrew M. Heller Professor; Department Chairperson and Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Co-Director, Mack Institute of Innovation Management, The Wharton School; Professor of Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Research Interests: Analyzing operational performance, innovation management, R&D management
Karl Ulrich, ScDSee Faculty Bio
CIBC Endowed Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management; Dean’s Office Advisor on Asia Strategy, The Wharton School
Research Interests: Environmental issues, product design and development, innovation