A New Era of Sustainable Leadership
ESSEC Business School is a renowned institution with a strong commitment to sustainability. Since its founding in 1907, the school has striven to create the responsible and capable leaders of tomorrow. With global campuses in France, Singapore, and Morocco, the school is known for its outstanding faculty and consistent focus on environmental responsibility, innovation, academic excellence, and positive progress for the future.
True to its key pillars, ESSEC Business School has introduced a new 100% online program, the Executive Master in Strategies for Sustainability. This program provides an in-depth sustainability education to students worldwide, regardless of location. With a flexible course structure and a fully online format, the school aims to make sustainability education even more accessible to future leaders.
Angela Sutan is the program’s academic director, a research professor in Sustainability, and the director of the ESSEC Experimental Lab. She says, “ESSEC is the sustainability school. Sustainability lies at the core of the strategic plan.” (01:16)
This innovative program equips future leaders with the knowledge and skills to address pressing environmental and social challenges.
A Unique Online Learning Experience
The Executive Master in Strategies for Sustainability is a fully online program designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals. While the program is delivered remotely, it offers a highly interactive and engaging learning experience. Students participate in live weekly webinars, collaborate with peers in group projects, and receive personalized guidance from expert faculty through one-on-one meetings with tutors.
Director Sutan highlights, “It’s a 100% online program. However, you do not only passively watch material.” (04:00)
She further explains, “It is online, but people are completely and all the time engaged with the professors, with the specialists, and with their colleagues.” (04:58)
The program leverages user-friendly digital platforms like Slack, Moodle, Zoom, and Google Meet. These platforms provide a dynamic space for students to connect, discuss ideas, and share insights. Students can also use these platforms to conduct group work and co-create digitally.
The online learning is facilitated by tutors and Community Managers, who act as a bridge between students and lecturers and offer additional support. The program also engages with professionals such as ESSEC alumni or school partners who share insights on niche topics.
Peer learning and teamwork are key elements of the program. In each module, students work in teams to create deliverables. This group work encourages students to learn from each other and share their knowledge and work experience.
Building Blocks for Success: A Closer Look at the Program Structure
The program structure is highly flexible, with two intakes during the year. This includes an intake in September and one in March. It is an 18-month online course worth 90 ECTS.
The six-month Management & Strategy Core Track comprises two compulsory modules (28 ECTS): “Adopt a 360° View of the Organisation” and “People and Performance Management.” During the core track, students learn about fundamental business practices, including marketing, economics, leadership, strategy, negotiation, and general management skills.
There are four Strategies for Sustainability modules, each worth 32 ECTS. These modules include Essentials of Sustainability, Circular Economy & Low Carbon Strategy, Sustainable Finance and ESG Impact, and Social Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion. In these modules, students learn how to incorporate sustainability into business practices, transform businesses towards more circular models, use sustainable finance, select and use relevant ESG KPIs, design strategies that integrate diversity and inclusion in business operations, and more.
Finally, the thesis provides an additional 30 ECTS to complete the course. The program allows for flexibility and specialization, helping participants make the most of their program experience.
Who Is This Program For? Entry Requirements & Cohort
The program is ideal for managers who aspire to create positive and sustainable change in their organizations and want to learn how to address environmental and social challenges in today’s business world. It is ideal for participants who are flexible, international, change-makers, environmentally conscious, committed, and cooperative.
It is important to note that applicants must meet several requirements to be accepted into the program. These include a minimum of three years of work experience in a managerial position, two years of experience managing business projects, a strong interest in sustainability, and fluency in English. International work experience is an advantage.
The program offers an engaging online environment that fosters peer learning and knowledge exchange between participants. Each selected candidate brings a wealth of work experience to the digital classroom. Many students in the cohort have significant experience in sustainability, leadership, and management. Most have 3-12 years of experience, with some students having 20 years of work experience.
This creates a rich environment for peer learning, knowledge sharing, and networking with other industry leaders.
Creating Sustainable Leaders
The Executive Master in Strategies for Sustainability curriculum is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices. It delves into a wide range of topics, enabling students to develop a strategic mindset for addressing complex sustainability challenges.
ESSEC Business School’s unique approach to sustainability includes a transformative view of education. Director Sutan notes that students will gain an expanded worldview, a deeper understanding of business models, leadership skills, and financial expertise.
In addition to learning about sustainability, students learn to co-create, understand the human factor in decision-making, gain the ability to anticipate outcomes, and the ability to lead effectively. Students also learn to thrive in a multicultural, interdisciplinary environment that reflects real-world business environments.
With these analytical tools, program graduates are equipped to understand and successfully implement sustainability strategies.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Graduates of the Executive Master in Strategies for Sustainability are well-prepared to embark on various rewarding careers in sustainability.
Director Sutan stresses, “It’s important to note that today, whatever job you have in an organization, it will deal with sustainability, which means that the program will help you upgrade everything you know and do your job better, whatever your position is.” (02:41)
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across a variety of fields and job functions. With organizations facing increasingly complex challenges, the need for sustainability experts is growing significantly.
Whether you are a top executive, a strategic expert, or work in finance or leadership, knowledge of sustainability can help you implement essential organizational changes.
The program’s strong emphasis on combining in-depth knowledge with essential, transferable skills ensures that graduates are qualified to implement sustainability strategies in various fields and at multiple levels, making them attractive candidates for future-thinking employers.
Making a Meaningful Impact in the Corporate World and Beyond
ESSEC’s Executive Master in Strategies for Sustainability program offers aspiring sustainability leaders a unique opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills to drive positive change.
By combining a rigorous academic curriculum with a flexible online format, the program empowers students to balance their professional and personal commitments while pursuing their passion for sustainability.
Regardless of their career path, the transferable skills and in-depth knowledge of sustainability sets a solid foundation for program graduates to make a meaningful impact in their organizations and beyond.
Curious to find out more? Explore the ESSEC Business School profile page and check the program page for further information.
