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?

University private degree

This is a University Private Degree from IE Universidad*, and taught in IE Business School. More information on what earning a University Private Degree from IE Universidad entails.

*IE Universidad is a University officially recognized by the Spanish education authorities, allowed to grant both University Official Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees), which are specifically regulated and accredited by Spanish Ministry of Education and University Private Degrees (Master), that are specifically designed by the University towards the professional application of their studies and the constant update of higher education, preserving the educational standards of excellence of IE. Both types of degrees are equally backed by the rigor and prestige of IE University.

EXECUTIVE MASTER IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND INNOVATION LEADERSHIP OVERVIEW

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.

FROM THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Manuel López Martin de Blas, explains in-depth the Executive Master in Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership.

Play
overview

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

EXPLORE THE EXECUTIVE MASTER IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

Program Structure
13 Months
Description
    Areas of Knowledge
      TERMS
      CAPSTONE PROJECT
        LABS
          BEYOND THE PROGRAM
          DIGITAL BUSINESS MODELS
          DIGITAL BUSINESS AND TECH STRATEGY
          Business Technology
          INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
          Strategies for Change Management
          DIGITAL LAW & REGULATIONS
          Applied Data Analytics
          MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING, CONTROL AND FINANCE FOR DECISION-MAKING
          DIGITAL UX (CUSTOMER CENTRIC INNOVATION)
          DIGITAL MARKETING & SALES
          BUSINESS PROCESSES REDESIGN
          LEADING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
          ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
          LEADING WITH IMPACT
          TRANSFORMING SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
          OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & DIGITALIZATION
          CYBERSECURITY MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT)
          INDUSTRY 4.0
          BLOCKCHAIN
          Machine Learning
          IMPACT SKILLS ACCELERATOR
          Program Structure
          13 Months

          *Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.

          Save the Date

          Explore the agenda and secure your spot—don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to connect, learn, and lead.

          WHAT'S THE PART-TIME FORMAT LIKE?

          WHAT’S THE PART-TIME FORMAT LIKE?

          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.

          FACULTY
          Manuel López Martín de Blas

          OUR FACULTY ARE HERE TO GUIDE YOU. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION EXEC. MASTER 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

          STUDENT profile

          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.

          • 100+
            nationalities represented on campus
          • 200+
            events where networking possibilities are endless
          • 30
            global offices with international business relationships

          DISCOVER THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

          • MEET OUR STUDENTS

          • ARYERIS POLYCARPOU

          • ANASTASIA ARCHER

          • RICARDO SAINZ FUERTES

          Video from Youtube
          Play

          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.

          Video from Youtube
          Play

          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."

          Video from Youtube
          Play

          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."

          Play

          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."

          THE NEXT BEST YOU 

          Our mission is to help you become the next best you: a leader driven by purpose, equipped with the key areas of knowledge in tech-based innovation, strategy and value proposition, business models, marketing and sales, digital process operations, emerging tech and more.

          • YOUR CAREER 

            Now is the moment to build on your current career success and push it to the next level. We’ll work with you to understand your strengths, ambitions and objectives, then create a career development plan tailored to your needs. From in-demand skills to knowledge of emerging tech and mastery of AI, our practical teaching and expert coaching will help you hone your creative, leadership and teamworking skills and get you to where—and who—you want to be.

          • YOUR IMPACT 

            No matter the strength of your skill set or the breadth of your experience, to succeed at the sharp end of tech innovation you need to understand organizational transformation and impactful leadership. But impact is not a matter of intangibles—it’s about how you think, how you act and how you embrace technology. We’ll equip you with the tech and soft skills to increase revenue, increase profitability and add value.

          • YOUR PURPOSE 

            Business has the potential to address today’s most pressing social issues, but lasting change requires individuals with the passion and skills to lead confidently. We put your sense of purpose at the heart of your career path, helping you become a transformative leader who can leverage tech to drive change that matters. Guiding you to develop a spirit of collaboration for a greater purpose, you will cultivate a global professional network and create new sources of value for your business, now and in the future.

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            Latest news

            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.