The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence

Drive and sustain innovation and operational excellence. Strengthen collaboration with C-suite leaders to translate strategies into actionable plans.

Agile. Creative. Innovative. And yes, strategic, too. The demands on today’s chief operating officers have expanded far beyond optimizing resources and efficiencies. Successful COOs must also encourage and implement change in their organizations and create a culture that accelerates rather than hinders innovation. The Emerging COO: Driving Innovation and Operational Excellence will give you the strategies and leadership skills to innovate, collaborate, and execute.

In this program designed for emerging and experienced COOs, you’ll learn from Stanford GSB faculty with expertise in everything from agile manufacturing and supply chain to design thinking, lean startup, and storytelling. It’s a unique opportunity to develop, deepen, and apply your learning.

Key Benefits

Learn to achieve operational excellence, instill and inspire innovation, and foster collaboration across your organization.

Develop strategic thinking and frameworks to achieve operational excellence.
Learn design thinking methodology and mindsets to lead operational innovation.
Explore how to integrate effective new operational routines into your organization’s culture.
Enhance communication and leadership skills to get buy-in at the C-suite level and across the organization.
Network with peers from diverse industries and functional areas to gain new insights that can be applied to your organization.

Who Should Attend?

Emerging and experienced COOs who are motivated to lead and ignite change in their organizations — from any industry and country
Senior-level operations leaders and aspiring COOs from any size or stage company — startups, high-growth, and established

27 Jan 2025 – 09 May 2025

In-Person and Online | US $17,500

At-a-Glance

Deadline

13 Dec 2024

Application Requirements

Qualified candidates are admitted on a rolling, space-available basis. Early applications are encouraged.

Payment Information

The program fee includes tuition, private accommodations, all meals, and course materials.

Payment is due upon admission. Your space is secured upon receipt of full payment.

Awarded Upon completion

Certificate of completion

28 Apr 2025 – 20 Aug 2025

In-Person and Online | US $17,500

At-a-Glance

Deadline

14 Mar 2025

Application Requirements

Qualified candidates are admitted on a rolling, space-available basis. Early applications are encouraged.

Payment Information

The program fee includes tuition, private accommodations, all meals, and course materials.

Payment is due upon admission. Your space is secured upon receipt of full payment.

Awarded Upon completion

Certificate of completion

Contact

Amanda Brehm

Associate Director, Programs Executive Education

Program Overview

Meet faculty director Stefanos Zenios, and hear how The Emerging COO program will help you drive and sustain innovation and operational excellence, while also strengthening collaboration with C-suite leaders.

Learn More About the Program

Curriculum

Explore our carefully designed curriculum, and go deeper with select course descriptions or a sample schedule.

Application Requirements

Review all eligibility requirements, and learn about the application process.

Participant Profile

Learn more about our past participants, and find out if the program is right for you.

Program Format

The schedule is structured for immersive learning while preserving half-day in-class commitments, recognizing the variety of challenges that you are likely facing as you continue to run your organizations and teams in this challenging environment.