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Group of business professionals in discussion during a sustainability-focused executive education program at IMD - IMD Business School Group of business professionals in discussion during a sustainability-focused executive education program at IMD - IMD Business School Group of business professionals in discussion during a sustainability-focused executive education program at IMD - IMD Business School
NEW degree program
Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation

Become the go-to expert in driving sustainable change

NEW degree program

Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation

Become the go-to expert in driving sustainable change

Duration

Flexible

From 18-48 months

Location

Lausanne, online

and international locations

Part-time

Earn your degree while you work

You don’t need convincing that sustainability matters

Sustainable business transformation is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s central to how companies create value, stay competitive, and meet rising stakeholder expectations. The real challenge is turning ambition into impact, and shifting sustainability from a responsibility to a competitive advantage.

That takes more than good intentions. It requires strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to navigate complexity across compliance, innovation, and systems change. Few organizations have the talent to do this well.

IMD’s Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation is built for professionals ready to lead that shift — without putting their career on pause. It equips you with the credibility, skills, and momentum to drive change with confidence, while deepening your expertise in sustainability strategy, systems thinking, and ESG integration.

This degree is for you if you want to:

✔ Build recognized expertise in sustainable business strategy
Lead change with confidence at scale
✔ Become the go-to authority for sustainable transformation in your organization

Successful completion of the program awards the Executive Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sustainable Business Transformation, a recognized academic qualification worth 60 ECTS credits.

“Leaders who bridge the gap between sustainability initiatives and business strategy will shape the future. ” 

What you can expect

What sets IMD apart is the way we combine deep expertise, practical application, and a powerful learning ecosystem.

Master deep expertise and leadership

Build the mastery and strategic skills to drive change across your organization.

Take charge of your career

Advance your career or shift into new industries with a degree that proves your capabilities.

Expand your opportunities

Connect with executives, faculty, and experts from across industries.

Turn knowledge into impact

Apply what you learn right away and use your Capstone to tackle a challenge that matters.

Stand out as a transformative leader

Show you’ve got the skills, credibility, and experience to lead meaningful change.

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Build a powerful, evolving network

Each module connects you with a fresh group of experienced professionals from IMD’s open executive programs, expanding your network as you progress. Here’s a snapshot of the kind of participants you’ll meet:

  • Industries: Energy, Consumer Goods, Finance, Manufacturing, NGOs, Healthcare, Consulting, Mobility, and more
  • Geographies: Participants from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas and Africa
  • Backgrounds: Sustainability managers, business leaders with sustainability mandates, and purpose-driven professionals looking to combine environmental and social impact with strategic influence

 

20+

nationalities

10-20

average years of work experience

35-45

average age

What our participants say
Scott Lane, Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation participant - IMD Business School
Scott Lane

CEO and Founder, Speeki, Singapore

It transformed my perspective

This program transformed my professional perspective. Beyond deepening my sustainability expertise, it gave me the business and strategy acumen to elevate client conversations from sustainability reporting to strategic value creation. The courses on AI and digital transformation were pivotal, revealing how these forces are reshaping the sustainability landscape.

Khilola Billard, Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation participant - IMD Business School
Khilola Billard

Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation participant, IMD

A deeply transformative journey

IMD’s Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation is a deeply transformative journey both personally and professionally. It challenges beliefs and calls for honest conversations about leadership, sustainability, and the future of business. At a pivotal crossroads in my career, the program became a true accelerator, training me on real business cases while exposing me to the latest market trends, emerging technologies, and practical sustainability strategies.

Johnny Gutierrez, Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation participant - IMD Business School
Johnny Gutierrez

Performance engineering, ADNOC Group, UAE

I am gaining far more than I expected

Academically, I am gaining far more than I expected. The faculty are outstanding, my classmates bring unique global perspectives, and the dedicated coaches are an unexpected but highly valuable element. Personally, the program has reignited my passion for purpose-driven business transformation.

What does this Executive Master journey look like?

You’ll follow a flexible, stackable journey that adapts to your goals, interests, and schedule without compromising on depth or impact. Your learning journey takes 24 months on average and is build around five key components:

  • Sustainability module (5 core programs): Go deep into the realities of sustainable business today, from circularity and impact measurement to strategy and change, and learn how to put them into practice.
  • Business transformation module (3 programs): Strengthen the transversal skills needed to lead enterprise-wide change.
  • Elective module (a choice of programs tailored to your goals): Choose from IMD’s portfolio of executive programs or courses from global partner schools and focus on the topics that matter most to you.
  • Capstone project: Apply your learning in a way that’s directly relevant to your career. Over 6–12 months, solve a real business challenge or explore a new domain in depth. You’ll work with IMD faculty and expert mentors to create a tangible outcome that proves what you’ve mastered and opens new doors.
  • Executive career development track & Expert insight sessions (throughout your journey): Accelerate your career trajectory through personalized guidance, peer collaboration, and expert-led sessions that help you clarify priorities, leverage your strengths, and drive meaningful professional progress. 

You design your path: Start with any program in the Sustainability or Business Transformation modules and sequence them in the order that works best for you.

Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation - Learning Journey - IMD Business School
Elective module

Shape your learning around what matters most to you.
The elective module gives you the freedom to explore topics that align with your goals, interests, and career needs. Choose from IMD’s executive program portfolio, dive into new ideas through the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM), or broaden your horizons with a Global Immersion Week.

You can build depth in your area of focus or stretch into new territory. Whether you want to strengthen your strategy skills, dive deeper into innovation, or explore global business trends firsthand, your electives are designed to keep your learning relevant, personalized, and practical. Here’s a sample of possible electives.

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Capstone project

Your final Capstone is your chance to bring everything together and put your learning to work in a meaningful way. You’ll work on an applied research project and have 6–12 months to complete it.

If you’re facing a real business challenge, this is your opportunity to tackle it with support from IMD faculty and expert mentors. You’ll create a practical solution, test your thinking, and deliver results your organization can use.

Executive career development

The executive career development track empowers you to take ownership of your career with clarity and strategic intent. Across three integrated phases, you move from strategic Professional awareness to Marketing strategy to confident Execution – supported by expert guidance and a trusted peer group. At every stage, you’re supported by IMD’s Career Development Center via targeted webinars for each phase, one-on-one and small-group coaching, and expert-led webinars.

Professional awareness

Map your professional story and assess your readiness for what’s next.

Marketing strategy

Apply business frameworks to position your unique value and identify aligned opportunities.

Execution

Activate your strategy through strategic networking, discovery conversations, and real-world validation.

Running alongside your three-phase journey, expert insight sessions offer a complementary stream of focused, 90-minute virtual discussions where external guest speakers share strategic perspectives, industry insights, and practical tools. The result is a rigorous, personalized experience that gives you the clarity, tools, and momentum to advance your career on your terms.

Executive career development

The executive career development track empowers you to take ownership of your career with clarity and strategic intent. Across three integrated phases, you move from strategic Professional awareness to Marketing strategy to confident Execution – supported by expert guidance and a trusted peer group. At every stage, you’re supported by IMD’s Career Development Center via targeted webinars for each phase, one-on-one and small-group coaching, and expert-led webinars.

Professional awareness

Map your professional story and assess your readiness for what’s next.

Marketing strategy

Apply business frameworks to position your unique value and identify aligned opportunities.

Execution

Activate your strategy through strategic networking, discovery conversations, and real-world validation.

Running alongside your three-phase journey, expert insight sessions offer a complementary stream of focused, 90-minute virtual discussions where external guest speakers share strategic perspectives, industry insights, and practical tools. The result is a rigorous, personalized experience that gives you the clarity, tools, and momentum to advance your career on your terms.

Ready to apply?

To be eligible, you must have:

  • An undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor’s)
  • At least 8 years of work experience
  • Professional proficiency in English

Strong candidates also demonstrate consistent career progression, a growth mindset, and a passion for sustainable business change.

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How it works

Create your account

Set up your profile to get started

Submit your application

Complete and submit the required documents

Assessment and interview

Share your experience and motivation

Admission committee review

Assessing your profile and fit for the program

Final decision

Secure your place and plan ahead

You don’t need to put your career on hold to earn a world-class degree. The Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation is designed around your life with focused programs that fit alongside your professional commitments.

Your journey begins with one of the programs in the Sustainability or Business transformation modules. These are your entry points into the degree, and they run multiple times a year so you can start when the time is right for you.

Program tuition

We know this is a significant investment. That’s why we’ve made the payment process as flexible as possible. You can pay in instalments, helping you manage your budget while you continue working. IMD is committed to equipping leaders with critical sustainability capabilities. To support this mission, we offer limited funding support. Contact our Program Advisor team for details.

If your company is sponsoring you, or you’re self-funding, we’re here to support you. Whether you need a detailed invoice, a payment plan, or guidance on making your case for employer support, we’ve got you. Just reach out, we’re happy to help.

FAQ

Got questions about the Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation? Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Who is this program for?

This program is designed for experienced professionals who want to become recognized authorities in sustainable business. You may already be working in sustainability, ESG, operations, or strategy or you may be looking to pivot into a more sustainability-focused role. It’s a great fit if you want to combine deep sustainability expertise with the leadership skills to drive transformation across your organization.

Do I need a background in sustainability?

Not necessarily. Many participants come from business, strategy, operations, or adjacent fields and want to deepen their sustainability expertise. If you’re driven by impact and want to lead meaningful change, this degree will give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to do so.

How long does the program take?

The degree can be completed in an average of 24 months, depending on your schedule. However you can take between 18 months to 5 years. It’s fully modular and flexible, so you can shape the pace to fit your personal and professional commitments.

Can I start at any time?

Yes, you don’t need to wait for a specific cohort. There are multiple start dates throughout the year for the different modules, which means you can begin your learning journey when it works best for you.

Is there a required sequence of programs?

No, you have the flexibility to plan your journey, though we recommend Leading Sustainable Business Transformation as a first program. Also, finishing with the Capstone is required.

Is this degree recognized?

Yes. IMD is a Swiss-accredited university institute and is triple accredited by AACSB, EFMD EQUIS, and AMBA. The Executive Master degree is a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) degree and consists of 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).

The Executive Master degree is designed for experienced executives aiming to enhance their leadership and strategic capabilities. The degree can serve as a steppingstone for doctoral study, particularly for Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees. In other cases, a traditional academic Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) degree is required for continued doctoral study. For instance, PhD entrance in Switzerland requires a second cycle academic master’s degree.

 

What kind of support will I get?

You’ll have access to world-class faculty, a diverse peer network, tailored career support, and practical guidance throughout your journey, including workshops, coaching, and tutorials.