Become the go-to expert in driving sustainable change
Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation
Become the go-to expert in driving sustainable change
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 sets IMD apart is the way we combine deep expertise, practical application, and a powerful learning ecosystem.
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.
Explore the forces driving sustainable business transformation and build the skills to lead meaningful change across your organization. This module is made of 5 on-campus programs and an integrative assignment. You may take them in any order that is most convenient for you.
From problem-solving to change management, build the leadership capabilities to drive impact at scale. This module is made of two online programs and your choice of one online leadership program.
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.
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.
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.
How it works
Set up your profile to get started
Complete and submit the required documents
Share your experience and motivation
Assessing your profile and fit for the program
Secure your place and plan ahead
Dates & fees
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
The total fee for the Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation is CHF 60,000. This covers your full learning journey, including all core modules, electives, the capstone project, access to IMD faculty and platforms, and participation in our global executive network.
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.
Got questions about the Executive Master in Sustainable Business Transformation? Here are answers to some of the most common ones.