

Leadership today demands more than expertise; it demands the ability to think across the business, influence stakeholders, and make decisions that shape outcomes. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education brings together the Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development program and the Management Development Program into a comprehensive learning journey. Designed for emerging leaders and professionals, this integrated experience helps you to strengthen business insights while building the credibility and influence needed to align stakeholders and drive action.
Led by renowned Wharton faculty, this integrated 18-week online journey blends applied frameworks, live webinars, practical exercises, and real-world business scenarios. You will learn to connect strategy, finance, operations, and organizational dynamics while refining your leadership presence and business acumen to navigate complex, high-stakes environments. By the end of the program, you will not only expand your knowledge but also be equipped to operate differently with sharper judgment, stronger credibility, and the confidence to lead outcomes that matter.
The Management Development Program will enable you to:
Analyze organizations and teams using systems thinking, alignment models, and job-design frameworks to recommend improvements
Craft communication and trust-building strategies to motivate, engage, and collaborate with stakeholders
Interpret financial statements and evaluate organizational performance using accounting principles, profitability ratios, and variance analysis
Develop strategies for marketing, customer centricity, and organizational growth that enhance value creation
Apply financial and operational decision-making tools to recommend initiatives that improve efficiency and enterprise value
Create a personal leadership and career development plan aligned with your values, success metrics, and long-term goals
Explore how AI is reshaping core business functions and identify potential implications to decide where to adapt and how to lead
The Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development program will enable you to:
Enhance your mindset and behaviors to expand your presence as an impactful leader
Understand the critical principles of effective leadership
Analyze rhetorical strategies to strengthen your ability to advance agendas
Apply strategic thinking to networking opportunities and build and maintain authentic connections
Construct a personal leadership narrative to set actionable goals
Module 1: Foundations of Management Thinking
Module 2: Power, Influence, and Decision Making
Module 3: Effective Team Design and Job Architecture
Module 4: Stakeholder Communication and Trust Building
Module 5: Organizational Networks and Influence
Module 6: Foundations of Accounting for Managers
Module 7: Analyzing Financial Performance
Module 8: Financial Decision-Making Tools
Module 9: Marketing Strategy, Customer Centricity, and Experience
Module 10: Strategic Thinking
Module 11: Operations Management and Process Thinking
Module 12: Managing Yourself — Values, Success, and Impact
Module 1: Introduction and Informal Influence
Module 2: Leading with Persuasive Communication
Module 3: Strengthening Your Leadership Presence
Module 4: Cultivating Informal Networks
Module 5: A Framework for Persuasion
Module 6: Persuasively Communicating Your Vision and Strategy
As part of the program, you will access expert-led, live, AI-focused webinars examining how emerging technologies are transforming core areas of business. Across marketing, management, and finance, you will explore how AI is influencing customer behavior, organizational decision making, and financial strategy. You will gain clarity on where disruption is taking hold, how organizations are responding, and what actions to consider.
AI and the Evolving Role of Management
AI is reshaping how work gets done, how organizations are structured, and how leaders operate. This session explores what these shifts mean in practice. You will examine AI’s impact on innovation, collaboration, and workflows, and how leaders can adapt.
AI and Strategic Financial Decision Making
AI is expanding how organizations analyze information, assess risk, and make financial decisions while introducing new complexities. This session focuses on how AI is shaping financial thinking. You will explore its impact on forecasting, investment decisions, and risk management.
AI and the Changing Marketing Landscape
AI is rapidly changing how customers discover, evaluate, and engage with brands. This session examines what that means in practice. You will explore how strategies are evolving, where traditional approaches may fall short, and how managers can adapt.
Executive Presence and Influence Playbook
Build on the reflections and strategies developed throughout the program to define your leadership vision and apply it to a real organizational context. Identify a specific area where you want to create impact, and design a clear, persuasive strategy to influence outcomes.
Through structured reflections and practical frameworks, you will articulate your leadership goals, guiding principles, and key stakeholders while developing an actionable plan with defined timelines and expected results. This playbook helps you strengthen executive presence, build credibility, and align stakeholders to drive measurable impact.
Capstone — A Managerial Action Plan
Apply your learning to a real business challenge within your organization. In this capstone, you will use cross-functional frameworks from strategy, finance, operations, and organizational design to diagnose root causes, evaluate strategic trade-offs, and develop a structured action plan.
The outcome is a practical, execution-ready managerial playbook tailored to your context with clear steps aligned to stakeholders, incentives, and business realities. This playbook enables you to translate business insights into execution and drive tangible outcomes.

Simon and Midge Palley Professor; Professor of Management; Academic Director of the CTO Program, Wharton Executive Education; Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, The Wharton School
Lori Rosenkopf is the vice dean of entrepreneurship and is responsible for leading the Venture Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, a resource for Penn students and alumni i...

Cecilia Yen Koo Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Professor of Management, The Wharton School; Academic Director of Effective Decision Making, a Wharton Executive Education Program
Maurice Schweitzer is the Cecilia Yen Koo Professor and a professor of operations, information, and decisions and of management at the Wharton School of the University of Penn...

Ira A. Lipman Associate Professor of Marketing; Vice Dean, Wharton Executive Education, The Wharton School
Patti Williams’ research explores how emotional responses shape consumer behavior and influence persuasion. Her current work examines how emotions impact decision making, how ...

David M. Knott Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Vice Dean, MBA Program, The Wharton School
Nicolaj Siggelkow’s research focuses on the strategic and organizational implications of how organizations design, evolve, and align their activities and resources. His work e...

William and Jacalyn Egan Professor Emeritus of Management; Director, Wharton’s Center for Leadership and Change Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Michael Useem’s university teaching includes MBA and executive MBA programs on management and leadership. He offers programs on leadership and governance for managers in the U...

Practice Professor, Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School
Cade Massey’s research focuses on judgment under uncertainty — how, and how well, people predict what will happen in the future. His work draws on experimental and real-world ...

Thomas Gerrity Professor; Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics; Professor of Management, The Wharton School

George W. Taylor Professor of Management; Director, Center for Human Resources, The Wharton School

Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Richard B. Worley Professor of Financial Management; Professor of Accounting; EY Professor of Accounting; Chairperson, Department of Accounting, The Wharton School

Adjunct Full Professor of Finance; Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative; Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research, The Wharton School

Associate Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School

Miller-Sherrerd Professor; Professor of Accounting, The Wharton School

Note: After successful completion of the online 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.
This program does not confer alumni status, academic credit, or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In some cases, credits may count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education is for professionals seeking to strengthen business acumen and leadership influence within their organizations. It provides a comprehensive view of strategy, finance, operations, and organizational leadership, helping participants connect cross-functional insights with enterprise decision making.
Focused on leadership and management development, the program emphasizes systems thinking, informed decision making, and the ability to align stakeholders to drive meaningful business outcomes and long-term organizational performance.
Choosing the correct leadership and management executive program depends on the kind of personal or professional capabilities you want to build, the scale of impact you aim to drive, and how much time you can invest into learning. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education offers faculty expertise, a cross-functional curriculum, and a global peer network to help you apply business insights and leadership strategies for lasting outcomes.
The fee for the Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education is available at the top of this program page. It covers academic content, online coursework, and faculty interaction. Flexible payment options and early application benefits may also be available.
A leadership and management program can help you develop the strategic thinking, decision-making frameworks, and leadership presence required to guide teams and influence outcomes. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program helps build these capabilities through applied frameworks, real-world applications, and peer learning, equipping you to drive meaningful organizational impact.
Participants in leadership and management programs often come from diverse professional backgrounds, including business, strategy, operations, or functional leadership roles. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education is ideal for professionals responsible for managing teams, influencing decisions, and driving business outcomes across functions.
Many professionals stepping into broader leadership roles begin with deep expertise in a single function. Success at higher levels depends on the ability to understand how different business functions connect and influence outcomes. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program helps professionals build cross-functional business acumen and leadership influence through structured learning and real-world application.
Choosing a leadership and management program depends on the kind of leader you want to become and the impact you want to create. Important factors include faculty expertise, curriculum depth, peer learning, and opportunities to apply insights in real-world contexts. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program brings these elements together to help you strengthen decision making and leadership effectiveness.
You can determine the return on investment in a leadership and management program by how effectively it enhances your ability to make decisions, influence stakeholders, and drive outcomes. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education combines academic insights, practical tools, and experiential learning to support long-term leadership growth and business impact.
Training for enterprise leadership requires more than functional expertise. It involves developing cross-functional understanding, strategic thinking, and the ability to align stakeholders and drive execution. The Executive Presence and Management Development Program provides this preparation through faculty-led sessions, applied frameworks, and a structured learning experience focused on real-world challenges.
A management development and influence program is ideal for professionals who want to expand beyond functional roles and lead at an enterprise level. These programs focus on building business acumen, leadership capability, and the ability to guide organizational outcomes rather than technical specialization.
The Executive Presence and Management Development Program from Wharton Executive Education reflects this approach by helping participants develop cross-functional insights, strengthen leadership presence, and apply structured frameworks to complex business challenges.
A leadership and management program is appropriate for professionals responsible for managing teams, influencing decisions, and driving business performance. It is particularly valuable for emerging leaders and senior professionals seeking to expand their leadership capabilities and take on broader responsibilities.
The Executive Presence and Management Development Program offers a structured learning journey that helps participants strengthen business acumen, build leadership credibility, and lead with greater impact across organizational contexts.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
After reviewing the information on this program page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
If there are any prerequisites for the program, they will be mentioned on this program page. For any additional queries, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
What is the typical class profile?
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
What other dates will this program be offered in the future?
Kindly check this program page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
How much time is required each week?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of this program page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this page.
How will my time be spent?
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:
Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
Completing your final project, if required
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 350,000 learners across 80 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes, the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner, the cost of which is already included in the overall program fee.
A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
How do I interact with other program participants?
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of this program page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Do I need to be online to access the program content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?
The program fee is noted at the top of this program page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program page next to FEE).
Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.
What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do a bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.
How can I obtain an invoice for payment?
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
How can I obtain a W9 form?
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Who will be collecting the payment for the program?
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the program?
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Wharton Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
What is the program refund and deferral policy?
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org, or schedule a call with one of our Program advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG).
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