Emerging COO Program

From operational expertise to strategic leadership
Country/Region
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Learning journey

The six-month online learning journey includes 14 weeks of core leadership knowledge and two immersive sessions that will help you develop the skills required for future C-level leadership. The program also offers an optional two-day in-person networking event and recognition ceremony* on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, where you will have the opportunity to build connections with your peers.

learning journey of the Wharton Emerging COO Program

* Note: A registration fee of US$250 is applicable.

** Note: The last two weeks of the core modules will be held after the 10 weeks of specialized phases.

Curriculum

The Emerging COO Program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the responsibilities of a future COO. You will learn to lead with a strategic mindset while developing a powerful network of connections that will be a valuable resource on your journey to the C-suite.

What you will learn

The program will enable you to:

  • Develop, articulate, and implement a clear operations strategy and vision aligned with enterprise-level objectives

  • Build trust, manage relationships, and communicate transparently and influentially with a broad range of stakeholders

  • Understand organizational politics and structures, building the alliances needed to be a proactive and effective voice in the C-suite

  • Evaluate and leverage operational data, financial acumen, and risk-management strategies to be an agile leader who can think strategically beyond the scope of technical expertise

  • Cultivate the ability to swiftly adapt to disruptions in the operations landscape, as well as global business changes and challenges

  • Foster a culture of ethical decision making while inspiring and leading diverse teams toward cohesive and transformative goals

Expectations for operations leaders have changed, with COOs now instrumental in driving value and growth. Aspiring COOs must have a practical understanding of business and operations strategy, strateg...
Marissa King, PhD
Academic Co-Director of the Emerging COO Program
Operations frameworks build clarity in plans, foresight in preparation and diligence in execution. The Emerging COO program is unique in that it emphasizes both technical and strategic components of o...
Senthil Veeraraghavan, PhD
Academic Co-Director of the Emerging COO Program

Who is this program for?

The Emerging COO Program will help mid-level to senior operations leaders enhance their leadership and management skills, enabling them to leverage cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, and data-driven decision making to elevate their impact and continue on their paths to becoming COOs. 

The program is ideal for:

  • Mid-career operations leaders seeking to develop the skills and mindset to lead enterprise-wide operations strategy and systems and accelerate their career growth

  • Senior operations professionals looking to leverage innovative solutions and data-driven decision making to stay ahead of emerging trends and take on new leadership opportunities

Program highlights

Comprehensive curriculum of the Wharton eCOO program
Comprehensive curriculum

Immerse yourself in a comprehensive curriculum that gives you the momentum to transition to a C-level role.

Individualized focus of the Wharton Emerging Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
Individualized focus

Cultivate future-ready leadership skills through personalized assessments and evidence-based exercises, webinars, and career workshops.

Leadership-development action plan for theWharton Emerging Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
Leadership-development action plan

Create a detailed strategy to evolve your leadership abilities that propels you toward your objective of becoming a COO.

Live sessions for the Wharton eCOO Program
Live sessions

Experience real-time learning in live sessions that give depth to key leadership concepts.

Expert insights on the Wharton eCOO program
Expert insights

Acquire rich, real-world insights into operations and social networking through the expertise of world-renowned Wharton faculty.

Case studies and industry examples in the Wharton eCOO Program
Case studies and industry examples

Experience the power of modern operations strategies and leadership practices as they come to life with real-world examples.

on-campus networking at Wharton eCOO Program
Networking opportunities

Expand your professional network through virtual meet-ups, executive peer groups, and an on-campus event with a global cohort of peers.

success coach for Wharton eCOO Program
Success coach

Optimize your learning journey through weekly check-ins with a success coach assigned to your cohort.

Case studies

Assess and refine your decision making in preparation for the C-suite, and learn to respond to the challenges of operations leadership through a broad range of real-world examples, including Amazon, Kodak, John Deere, Patagonia, TOMS, and Whole Foods.

Amazon and Whole Foods case study for the Wharton eCOO Program

Amazon and Whole Foods 

Identify key factors that determine an organization’s adaptability to disruptive change through Amazon’s acquisition of a high-end grocery chain.

John Deere case study for the Wharton eCOO Program

John Deere

Understand authentic leadership and the LEAP framework through the leadership journey of factory manager Rosalind Fox.

Kodak case study for the Wharton eCOO Program

Kodak

Apply the key attributes of managing disruption to assess how Kodak navigated the transition from chemical film to digital photography.

Patagonia and TOMS case study for the Wharton eCOO Program

Patagonia and TOMS

Analyze how these two action-driven organizations aligned their operations strategies with their purposes to do good.

Tesla case study for the Wharton eCOO Program

Tesla

Examine the impact of interorganizational relationships and networks on this EV manufacturer’s competitiveness.

Capstone project

The capstone project presents an opportunity for you to synthesize the knowledge and insights gained throughout the program and apply them to an extended case study. Through a systematic and strategic approach, you will leverage the program's learnings to develop a comprehensive road map and framework. This hands-on experience can help you to translate theory into practice and drive change.

Meet the faculty

Wharton eCOO Program's Academic Co-Director Marissa King, PhD
Marissa King, PhD

Academic Co-Director; Alice Y. Hung President’s Distinguished Professor; Professor of Health Care Management; Professor of Management

Marissa King’s research focuses on deciphering the complexities of human interactions within the context of health care organizations, teams, and broader social structures. He...

Wharton eCOO Program's Academic Co-Director Senthil Veeraraghavan, PhD
Senthil Veeraraghavan, PhD

Academic Co-Director; Panasonic Professor of Manufacturing and Logistics; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions

Senthil Veeraraghavan teaches operations strategy, for which he has received multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards. His research encompasses revenue management, marke...

Wharton eCOO additonal program faculty Lindsey Cameron, PhD
Lindsey Cameron, PhD

Assistant Professor of Management; Dorinda and Mark Winkelman Distinguished Faculty Scholar

Wharton eCOO additonal program faculty Mauro Guillén, PhD
Mauro Guillén, PhD

Assistant Professor of Management; Dorinda and Mark Winkelman Distinguished Faculty Scholar

Wharton eCOO additonal program faculty Witold Henisz, PhD
Witold Henisz, PhD

Vice Dean and Faculty Director, ESG Initiative; Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management in Honor of Russell E. Palmer, Former Managing Partner, The Wharton School

Wharton eCOO additonal program faculty Rahul Kapoor, PhD
Rahul Kapoor, PhD

David W. Hauck Professor at the Wharton School; Professor of Management; Chairperson, Management Department

Wharton eCOO additonal program faculty Harbir Singh, PhD
Harbir Singh, PhD

Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Faculty Director, Huntsman Program

Note: The faculty list is subject to change.

Wharton Emerging Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program certificate

Certificate

Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the program. Participants of this transformative program get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities.

Note: After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.

Please also note that participation in the Emerging COO Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status, 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 any other university or institution.

FAQs

Connect with a program advisor for a 1:1 session

Our program advisors have helped senior executives across the world choose the right program for their career goals. Schedule a 1:1 to get a deeper understanding of why the Emerging COO Program is the right fit for you.

Email: wharton_ecoo@emeritus.org

Phone: +1 315 847 4592 (U.S.) / +44 782 202 6595 (U.K.) / +65 3138 6189 (S.G.)

Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!

Flexible payment options available.

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