Chief Strategy Officer Program

executive directing team

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 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.

To learn more, please contact:

+1.567.587.1541

Learn More and Apply

Delivered in collaboration with program partner Emeritus:

Emeritus logo


Nicolaj Siggelkow

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 Carton

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

Exequiel Hernandez, PhDSee Faculty Bio

Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Research Interests: Immigration, global networks, firm internationalization, innovation, corporate strategy


Raghuram Iyengar

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

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

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

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