Executive Master in Digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership

Sharpen your tech expertise and drive business innovation
duration13 Months
languageEnglish
locationMadrid, Online & International Destination
intakeApril
FormatBlended
MODE OF STUDYPart-time

INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR THE DIGITAL ERA

Our cutting-edge Executive Master in Digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership is designed to prepare mid- and senior-level professionals to become the next best version of themselves: C-level business innovators with effective leadership skills to develop and implement effective digital transformation strategies. And, what’s more, the storytelling and influencing skills to take their teams with them.

The program is taught in a unique blended learning format for ultimate flexibility: four one-week residential periods—three in Madrid and one in another international destination— combined with online learning, enabling you to combine your studies with work and family commitments from anywhere in the world.

  • A program targeted at developing and honing your skills in three key areas: Digital Tech & Innovation, Digital Strategy & Business Innovation, and Leading Transformation & Innovation.
  • Balance your professional life with your studies with the blended format. You’ll be able to work while studying in our online campus, which is complemented by in-person residential periods and an international experience.
  • Grow your global network. Your classmates are professionals across diverse sectors, allowing you to apply what you have learned in your day-to-day job and collaborate in class with real-life company situations.
  • Optional career-boosting certifications: grow your skill set and increase your attractiveness to employers with our exclusive Sustainability Certificate as well as industry-recognized certifications from Amazon Web Services Academy and Salesforce.

*The 2025-2026 intake starts on April 1st.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE MASTER IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION LEADERSHIP FOR?

  • IT'S FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO...

    …are experienced executives or senior managers aiming to lead organizational change by mastering the digital landscape. Through in-person learning and practical residential weeks in Madrid and abroad, this program’s blended format offers the flexibility to meet the needs of today’s busy professionals.

  • ARE LOOKING FOR...

    …practical experience in leading digital transformation. Fostering a culture of innovation and driving organizational change, this executive program enables leaders to rethink traditional processes and implement cutting-edge strategies. Graduates typically move into roles such as chief digital officer, head of innovation, digital transformation lead, business development director or other high-impact positions.

KEY AREAS

  • Digital Tech & Innovation

  • Digital Strategy & Business Innovation

  • Leading Transformation & Innovation

REASONS WHY

  • 01.

    IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF DIGITAL TECH

    Hone your knowledge of digital tech, gain an understanding of digital economics, and explore how to strategize for success in the new digital economy.

  • 02.

    ENHANCED LEADERSHIP EXPERTISE

    Improve both your tech and leadership skill sets so you’re prepared to become a transversal leader of innovation in a changed business ecosystem.

  • 03.

    LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS

    Our world-class faculty are not just top academics, but also industry experts, with a wealth of industry experience at world-leading companies including Novartis, Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Cuatrecasas and Deloitte.

  • 04.

    GAIN IN-DEMAND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION SKILLS

    Digital transformation skills are highly sought-after in all sectors and industries: the digital transformation market is expanding rapidly, with roles for digital transformation professionals increasing year on year.

WHAT'S THE PART-TIME FORMAT LIKE?

OUR FLEXIBLE PART-TIME PROGRAM INCLUDES

This 13-month program is both online and face-to-face— in other words, it’s liquid. We align and combine the best of technology, pedagogy and our world-class faculty, so you can experience multi-layered learning in a multi-faceted environment.

  • Two women are engaging in a conversation at an outdoor café with a laptop on the table.
  • IE Executive MBA students
  • Four professionals sitting outdoors engaged in a discussion with laptops.
  • IE EMBA Students
Two women are engaging in a conversation at an outdoor café with a laptop on the table.

ONLINE PERIODS

Through our virtual campus, you get a challenging and highly interactive educational experience. The well-structured, faculty-led sessions fit into the modern professional’s busy schedule and can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. Engage with other global professionals in synchronous and asynchronous sessions including interactive small groups where you work on real-world, industry-based case studies.

WHAT DOES "PART-TIME" MEAN?

  • You'll dedicate 20 hrs a week on average to successfully complete your Master's.

  • Yes. You'll get to enjoy the beautiful city of Madrid for a total of 4 weeks during your studies to complete our program's face-to-face portions.

  • Yes, in this Master you will spend a week in an international destination.

  • You'll have from Mondays at 2:00 pm (Madrid time) to Thursdays at 10:00 pm (Madrid time).

  • All Live Videoconferences take place on Saturdays, from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm (Madrid time).

  • Of course. Our program is designed so you can meet your classmates, even if it’s digitally, and start working with them right from the beginning

FLEXIBILITY FOR BUSY PROFESSIONALS

  • icon

    FOUR 1-WEEK RESIDENTIAL PERIODS

    Three take place at IE University’s campus facilities in Madrid, and one takes place in an international destination, during which you’ll have practical classes, interactions with top executives experienced in innovation leadership, and company visits to experience real-world transformation projects and results.

  • WORK-STUDY-LIFE BALANCE

    Between the 4 residential periods, you’ll return to your job and continue studying in our online campus, taking classes via live video, online forums, and carry out practical projects in teams.

  • icon

    REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS

    The program culminates with your own digital transformation journey to lead change in the next step of your career.

YOUR FUTURE NETWORK

THE NEXT-GEN OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION LEADERS

The program is designed for mid-career and senior level professionals currently with management responsibilities, or seasoned individual contributors planning to transition into management roles.  

The program is grounded in digital tech and in practical innovation methods (design thinking, lean/ scrum, agile...) as drivers of positive transformation and bottom line performance improvement – but technical training and experience are not required. You’ll learn what you need to know at an executive level, to think strategically about how to apply current and emerging technologies to reshape business practices.

STUDENTS’ PROFILES

We welcome candidates with diverse academic and professional backgrounds who want to “up-skill” and become the innovators and digital transformers that companies need.

  • Business unit managers

    Professionals from any industry with experience working primarily in a single function (Marketing, Finance, Operations, IT, ...) who have the objective of building their leadership and innovation skills to drive transformation within this function.

  • Department Heads and C-Suite

    General managers leading business units or an entire organization, who want to develop a 360° capability to drive innovation and digital transformation across functions.

STUDENT PROFILE

  • CURRENTLY LIVING IN...

    Middle East & North Africa
    Europe
    Latin America
    North America
    Asia Pacific
  • GENDER

    Female
    Male
  • 20+
    NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED IN CLASS
  • 14
    AVERAGE YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE
  • 30
    global offices with international business relationships

HERE ARE SOME POSITIONS OUR STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE AFTER THE PROGRAM 

  • Career Opportunities

    Image Career Opportunities
  • View all positions

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE Master In Customer Experience & Innovation

DISCOVER THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

  • MEET OUR STUDENTS

  • ARYERIS POLYCARPOU

  • ANASTASIA ARCHER

  • RICARDO SAINZ FUERTES

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MEET OUR STUDENTS

Hear from our students - why they chose the program, how they balance work and studies, the value of the diverse network they’ve built, and the key learnings already shaping their career. Ricardo Sáinz Fuertes, Global Director of Digital Health Solutions at Eisai, Anastasia Archer, founder of a digital consulting firm for the mining sector, and Aryeris Polycarpou, entrepreneur and digital analyst, tell us about their experience.

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ARYERIS POLYCARPOU

"The biggest takeaway I have is how to think differently and use that to really stand out in the business world. With the class, it is a great space to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and also understand that's how you make major changes in business, by stepping out and making a more bold action. In class we get a lot of frameworks and tools that equip us for success but really, it is about how we critically think and use that to make a big impact in the business world."

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ANASTASIA ARCHER

"The network is the most important takeaway from the program. It's the fact that we all are at mid-to-senior positions right now, connected globally. There are lots of opportunities that we are generating, even some group projects that we believe we might take further and commercialize going forward."

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RICARDO SAINZ FUERTES

"I believe this program is really well-suited for people that want to have a global vision of how digital transformation is affecting every industry. In my class there are people that come from different industries, from banking, tourism, space agencies, and seeing their interests and the way digital transformation is affecting their industries gave me new ideas to bring back to my company."

“This program provided me with the methodologies and tools to help me compete in a world that has been transformed by technology.”

Gerardo Campos – Tello, Director of Digital Brand, Experience and Design

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

At IE Business School, one of our key priorities is to combine academic excellence with hands-on learning, preparing students to thrive in today’s dynamic landscape. Our current participants in the Executive Master in Digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership are already achieving significant career milestones, landing coveted roles and internships at top-tier global organizations.

Learn more about their journeys here:

our faculty

Manuel López Martín de Blas

MEET THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Manuel López Martín de Blas – Professor, Executive Master in Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership

Professional with more than 25 years consultancy experience in Pharma, Hi Tech, Chemical, Retail and FMCG industries, with a primary focus on business strategy and digital transformation, digital marketing, global operations in different domains and IT-ERP consulting.

Profile

  • Vice Dean Business Tech Programs at IE Business School
  • MBA Business Administration at IE Business School
  • Master, Economics and Business Administration at Universidad Europea de Madrid

Executive Master in digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership Professors

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MEET OUR EXECUTIVE MASTER IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION PROFESSORS

READ OUR BLOG

FAQS

  • The Executive Master in Digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership at IE Business School uses a blended learning format, combining online learning with four in-person one-week residential periods. This allows students to manage their studies around their work and other commitments.

  • The program comprises a combination of in-person and both synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning activities, including residential periods in Madrid and internationally; live video conferences; faculty-led online discussions; collaboration with peers; and coursework. Our Impact Skills Accelerator also forms an essential part of the program, with workshops focusing on key skills like problem solving and critical thinking. Additionally, there are optional career-boosting certificates available.

  • The curriculum focuses on three key areas: Digital Tech & Innovation explores emerging technologies and innovation methodologies; Digital Strategy & Business Innovation focuses on data analytics and sector disruption; and Leading Transformation & Innovation develops practical leadership skills for driving organizational change. In the final term, students complete the Capstone Project, a hands-on group project where they apply their learning in a real-world context.

  • Yes, this degree is worth pursuing. Only 35% of businesses say they have achieved their digital transformation goals, and a key factor in that is a skills gap. The growing digital demand creates valuable career opportunities for leaders who can drive essential business changes in today's digital economy.

  • Leadership is essential in today’s evolving digital landscape, where technological progress is overhauling traditional business approaches. Leaders must navigate constant change while working with teams and stakeholders to meet increasing pressure and transform operations.

  • Benefits include enhanced leadership skills for managing technological change, a deep understanding of innovation in business strategy, and practical experience with digital tools. The program emphasizes both digital technology and the cultural shift needed for digital transformation, preparing students to identify disruption opportunities and transform business functions with results-focused innovation strategies.

  • This master's program will deepen students' understanding of digital technology and innovation. It is an opportunity to learn from industry experts, enhance leadership skills, develop strategic abilities and prepare for career advancement in digital transformation.

  • The Executive Master in Digital Transformation & Innovation Leadership at IE Business School is a cutting-edge program designed for experienced professionals who want to lead change in their organizations. It combines strategy, technology and leadership training to prepare executives to drive digital innovation, manage transformation processes and create sustainable business models in today’s fast-evolving global economy.

  • This program is ideal for mid- to senior-level professionals who aspire to lead digital initiatives or innovation strategies in their organizations. It is designed for executives across industries—consulting, finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing and beyond—who want to strengthen their leadership, enhance their understanding of digital tools and position themselves as drivers of transformation in an increasingly technology-driven business landscape.

  • The part-time program runs for 13 months and is structured to accommodate busy executives, allowing participants to balance their professional responsibilities while advancing their education. This intensive but flexible structure ensures students gain a global perspective, actionable insights and the practical skills needed to lead transformation while continuing to excel in their careers.

  • The program is taught in a blended format, combining interactive online sessions with face-to-face residential periods in Madrid and other international locations. This structure provides maximum flexibility while maintaining strong networking opportunities and personal interaction. The mix of online and in-person learning allows participants to apply new concepts directly in their workplaces, making the program highly practical and relevant for senior-level executives.

  • Graduates of this program are equipped to step into senior leadership roles such as chief digital officer, head of innovation, transformation director or strategic consultant. The skills gained are relevant across industries, from finance and healthcare to technology and manufacturing. IE Business School’s strong global network and career services also open doors to opportunities in top organizations, entrepreneurial ventures and advisory roles.