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General Management Program
The pace of change and impact on organizations is accelerating. Two-thirds of CEOs say their businesses are experiencing significant disruption*. These disruptive forces — including supply chain concerns, workforce pressures, geopolitical conflicts and technological advancements — have reached critical inflection points that require decisive action. Organizations need leaders with multifunctional expertise who can think strategically to reinvent their business models and capitalize on opportunities to increase productivity and innovation.
The six-month General Management Program prepares senior executives to lead with confidence in today’s complex business environment. This program uniquely combines strategy, cross-functional knowledge, artificial intelligence (AI) readiness and leadership enhancement to equip senior executives for the challenges of broad, enterprise-level roles in contemporary settings. The program offers a cutting-edge curriculum delivered through a flexible format, allowing you to future-proof yourself as a leader without compromising your busy schedule. Its innovative blended structure provides the convenience of online learning enriched by eight days of focused on-campus interaction and learning taught by esteemed Kellogg faculty.
*Source: AlixPartners
The General Management Program is ideal for:
- Executives transitioning to general management seeking to deepen their understanding of cross-functional strategy, technology and business transformation
- Existing leaders seeking to strengthen their strategic thinking and navigate evolving market dynamics including AI, digital disruption and global competition
Learning Outcomes
- Leverage customer and market data to predict behavior, personalize experiences and shape winning business strategies.
- Design and execute operational strategies that optimize resources, enhance supply chain resilience and align with organizational goals.
- Drive innovation and competitive advantage by integrating emerging technologies, like AI, into business processes and strategy.
- Strengthen leadership capabilities in strategic thinking, executive presence, decision-making and crisis management.
- Scale organizational growth by empowering talent, fostering collaboration and aligning teams around a compelling vision.
- Lead digital transformation by assessing AI maturity, navigating disruption and cultivating a culture of innovation.
Blended Curriculum
The program’s comprehensive six-month learning journey is organized into four pillars to hone your enterprise and global leadership skills while helping you deliver sustainable growth and unlock real business value with AI. The curriculum includes topics that are highly relevant for leaders facing disruption, equipping you to embrace strategic agility as you cohesively steer your organization ahead.
The first and last pillars of the curriculum are delivered on the Kellogg campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois. These in-person components provide the opportunity to interact directly with the vibrant Kellogg ecosystem and expand your global network. You will dive deep into key concepts, engage in expert-led discussions and foster meaningful relationships through shared experiences in a stimulating environment.
Pillar 1 | Business Mastery: Strategy, Technology and Functional Excellence | 4 Days on Campus
Explore core aspects of strategic management that are crucial for outperforming the competition and achieving business success in a fast-paced world.
- The Power to Predict: Strengthening Your Insight Muscle
- Organizational Change Management
- Defending Your Competitive Advantage
- Strategy of Operations
- Supply Chain Corporate Finance
Disclaimer: Topics may be subject to change
Pillar 2 | Business Strategies for Growth | 6 Weeks | Online
Delve into the Focus7 Framework developed by Fortune 500 veteran and Kellogg faculty member Sanjay Khosla to scale your organization with a proven approach to growth.
- Growth Strategy Overview
- Discovery Workshop — Search for Growth
- Mapping a Strategy and Building Support
- People — Unleashing Potential
- Delegation, Execution and Metrics for Growth and Success
- Bringing It All Together
Pillar 3 | AI Strategies for Business Transformation | 8 Weeks | Online
Prepare to drive digital transformation through strategic AI integration.
- Foundations of AI — From Prediction to Creation to Autonomy
- AI and Customer Experience Management
- AI and Operations Management
- AI and Business Support Function
- AI Applications in Selected Industries
- Generative AI and Creative Industries — Transforming Media, Arts and Design
- AI and Business Transformation — Strategies, Capabilities and Governance
- AI and Society — Ethics, Regulation and Jobs
Pillar 4 | Executive Leadership and Execution Excellence | 4 Days | On Campus
Consider a set of interconnected concepts that are essential for modern leaders navigating a rapidly evolving global landscape.
- Megatrends in the World Economy
- Rethinking Organizational Design in the Age of AI
- Executive Decision Making
- Values-Based Leadership
- Crisis Communications
Disclaimer: Topics may be subject to change
Build lifelong connections through immersive interactions with faculty and global peers
Incentives available for groups and teams of four or more attending open enrollment programs. Learn more
Upcoming Session
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December 17, 2025 - June 4, 2026 Start: December 17 at 12:00 AM End: June 4 at 12:00 AM
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$24,000
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Admissions Criteria & Details
Admission Criteria
Participants are expected to have:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- International exposure (preferred)
An admissions committee thoroughly reviews each application and considers the nature and scope of the applicant’s responsibilities. For the benefit of class members, sponsoring organizations and the integrity of the program, the committee seeks to admit individuals with diverse skills and experiences who meet the qualification criteria as described above.
Kellogg expects that participants will attend all sessions, immerse themselves completely in the experience and free themselves from all other obligations while the program is in session.
FAQ
What is the program about?
The General Management Program is a six-month, blended learning experience designed for senior executives navigating disruption and enterprise-level leadership. It combines strategic thinking, cross-functional expertise, AI readiness and leadership development to help participants drive innovation and lead confidently in today’s complex business environment.
What is the learning experience?
This cutting-edge program combines the convenience of online modules with two four-day sessions of focused on-campus immersion and learning taught by esteemed Kellogg faculty. The online portion includes two programs delivered over 14 weeks through a mix of asynchronous modules and live online sessions.
What is the program format?
The program is delivered over six months, with in-person, online and live online sessions. Learners can expect to dedicate four to six hours per week to watch videos, complete assignments and participate in discussions. Each module is opened weekly, allowing a flexible but structured approach to learning, with quizzes/assessments delivered at the module’s conclusion. Learners may choose to engage with the program module all in one sitting or in smaller segments of time throughout the week.
Could a learner choose to opt out of some topics?
No. To receive the digital certificate of completion, a participant must complete all components of the program.
Are any of the sessions delivered in real time (live)?
Yes. The program includes two four-day, on-campus components that are delivered exclusively in person.
In addition to the asynchronous online coursework, there are optional live sessions led by faculty and/or subject matter experts. These sessions are held via video conferencing and offer participants the opportunity to engage in real time — listening, asking questions and deepening their understanding of the material. While these sessions enrich the learning experience, attendance is not required. Most are recorded and made available for later viewing.
What methods will be used for grading and evaluations?
Kellogg program leaders will review assignments, discussions and exercises to determine participants’ understanding of the material.
How much time is allocated to complete assignments?
The due date for submitting assignments is typically within 7 days of the module opening, but can be as long as 14 days, depending on the scope of the assignment. However, learners may request deadline extensions to accommodate for business and personal conflicts that may arise during the program timeframe. Reach out to the program delivery manager to discuss any challenges you may have in completing assignments.
Can participation in this program be counted as credit toward a degree, either at Kellogg, Northwestern University or another academic institution?
No. Executive Education offers only non-degree programs and participants who meet the requirements receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. This certificate does not count as credit toward a degree.
Does the program offer community engagement for learners?
Yes, the program opens and closes with two four-day, on-campus immersive components, giving participants the opportunity to connect with peers throughout their experience. There will be virtual networking events held through the six-month program. A Program Leader will also support participant engagement throughout the program.
What are the requirements for accessing the program?
Participants will need the following to access the program:
- Valid email address
- Computing device connected to the internet (Mac/PC/laptop, tablet or smartphone)
- The latest version of your preferred browser to access our learning platform (though not required, we recommend using Google Chrome when accessing the Online Campus for optimal experience)
- Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and PDF viewer to access content such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts
- Additional software and resources may be required for certain programs – this will be communicated upon registration and/or at the beginning of the program
- PLEASE NOTE: Google, Vimeo and YouTube may be utilized in the program delivery.
Do the programs offer a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion of this program, participants will receive a digital certificate of completion . Since our online program components are graded as a pass or fail, participants must receive an 80% to earn the certificate of completion. This digital certificate can be shared with colleagues and posted on LinkedIn. (PLEASE NOTE: We do not provide reports of assessments, or “transcripts,” since this is a non-degree program.)
Will completion of this program guarantee me a job or promotion?
No. The primary objective of this program is to give you the skills needed to be prepared for a job or to advance your career in this field. Our program support team includes a Program Leader to help you reach your goals. New employment and advancement opportunities depend on a variety factors, including prior experience, education and the job market; we therefore do not guarantee a job placement upon completion of this program.
Who is Emeritus and what is their relationship with Kellogg Executive Education?
Kellogg Executive Education is partnering with Emeritus Institute of Management, an online education provider, to develop and deliver this program. By working with Emeritus, we are able to provide broader access to Executive Education, beyond our on-campus offerings, in a collaborative and engaging format that is consistent with Kellogg’s standard of quality.
Additional questions?
Please contact us by calling 847-467-6018 or email us at execedonline@kellogg.northwestern.edu.
Spotlighted Faculty
Faculty Director | Clinical Professor of Executive Education | Academic Director of the Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute (KELI)
Associate Dean, Digital Innovation | McCormick Foundation Chair of Technology | Clinical Professor of Marketing | Director, Center for Research in Technology & Innovation
Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University | Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group
Clinical Professor of Strategy | Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at Kellogg | Faculty Director of the Zell Fellows Program | Director of the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice
Clinical Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Clinical Professor of Executive Education | Clinical Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
MUFG Bank Distinguished Professor of International Finance | Professor of Finance | Faculty Director, EMBA Program
Pathway to Becoming an Executive Scholar
The General Management Program offers not just advanced leadership learning but a pathway towards becoming a Kellogg Executive Scholar; a unique credential that provides you with the opportunity to earn a credential from a world-class business school, create a personalized leadership development path aligned with your unique goals, and receive exceptional Scholar benefits listed below. In order to achieve Executive Scholar status, you need to receive 40 scholar points or more within four years of completing your first eligible program.