José Manuel Rodríguez
I spent many years as a career diplomat, driven by a strong commitment to representing my country abroad. During that time, I developed a deep understanding of international relations, with a particular focus on the EU, security and defense, and the MENA region.
A few years ago, I transitioned to the private sector, where I gained firsthand experience of how corporations operate and how investment decisions are made in strategic industries. This shift complemented my public-sector background and gave me a more complete view of how policy and markets interact.
I’m passionate about teaching not only as a way to share experience, but also as a space for intellectual exchange. I am particularly interested in how technology and data are transforming policy. As a mentor, I see the process as collaborative: helping students refine their thinking, challenge assumptions, and build the confidence to operate in complex environments.
"My main objective is to equip students with a structured method to approach complex problems. This includes the ability to break down situations, identify key variables, and build solid, decision-oriented analysis."
Bringing real-world insights into public policy
Before joining IE University as a member of faculty, José Manuel Rodríguez’s professional life combined high-stakes policymaking and complex negotiations in the public sector with corporate-level strategy and decision-making in the private sector. Together, the breadth of experience that he built over the years led him to realize the influence public-private collaboration has on public policy.
Through his different roles, José Manuel learned that while policy and business may seem separate, they’re actually deeply interdependent. Maintaining a close dialogue between the two, particularly in an era of major digital and energy transition, is essential. "It allows us to maximize economic and social opportunities while managing risks and unintended consequences," he says.
It was these insights that led him to IE University and the Master in Public Policy. Drawn to the institution by its "ability to foster meaningful public-private dialogue," he wanted to share his perspectives with the next generation of policymakers. His teaching style, he explains, is case-based and grounded in real-world situations: "This approach reflects how policy actually works: decisions are made under constraints, with incomplete information, and often under pressure."
Teaching on the program, José Manuel sees the classroom as a simulation of real-world policymaking. Rather than simply studying the theory, students are placed in situations that require real decision-making, under conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty. This, after all, is what they will encounter in their professional lives. "The goal is to train students to think rigorously and act effectively in those conditions," he points out.
By learning in this way, José Manuel wants students to go beyond pure technical skills and develop their ability to break down complexity, make sound judgments and turn insight into action. This is what truly prepares them for the realities of a career in public policy: practical, hands-on experience with the guidance of faculty who have themselves worked at the highest level of decision-making.
It's exactly this approach that defines the Master in Public Policy. Designed to reflect the reality of how policy is made in practice, the program combines a global perspective with an interdisciplinary environment. From day one, students work on policy simulations, stakeholder negotiations, public speaking and more. Alongside the program’s strategic partners, which include leading public and private sector organizations such as PwC, the European Climate Foundation and the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, students apply their learning to real-world challenges with insights from professionals working at the forefront of policy.
For José Manuel, it’s this constant collaboration and exposure to diverse viewpoints that transforms the classroom into what he calls a "school of negotiation." Students learn from sector practitioners, faculty and each other, ensuring they graduate with the confidence and experience to operate across different fields and make an impact where it matters most.
José Manuel is excited to grow the new program from the ground up and ensure it continues to evolve to reflect the changing landscape of policymaking. "The main challenge will be to continuously adapt and refine the program to ensure both academic excellence and real-world relevance. But that dynamic process is also what makes the experience particularly rewarding," he concludes.