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The Executive MBA by UPF-BSM is the management development program with an international focus that will boost your professional career and help you develop a strategic vision, a global mindset, and the ability to lead through disruption with confidence. The Executive MBA by UPF-BSM is designed for professionals who want to go further..
Transform your career with an Executive MBA that’s as bold and agile as you are. This is an Official Master Degree, proudly accredited by AMBA and backed by the outstanding reputation of Pompeu Fabra University.
Imagine an 18-month, part-time journey designed for managers who want to lead with impact. Our flexible online program lets you keep excelling at work while you master the management skills to steer global organizations through today’s unpredictable markets.
In Executive MBA program, you won’t just learn theory. You’ll develop the savvy, strategic vision needed to transform organizations, tackle uncertainty head-on, and craft innovative solutions to the challenges modern businesses face. Ready to level up and lead the charge in a rapidly evolving world? Your future as a global leader starts now.
We’re living in a time of radical change. AI, digital disruption, and automation aren’t just buzzwords—they’re rewriting the rules of business. With our Executive MBA, you won’t just keep up; you’ll lead the charge.
Imagine this 18-month, part-time journey in our business school as your best investment to:
- Sharpen Your Strategy: Equip yourself with the tools and mindset to steer organizations through volatile markets and define their business strategy.
- Make Bold Decisions: Master the art of decisive leadership under pressure with innovative, cutting-edge ideas.
- Stay Globally Relevant: Detect market shifts and sustainability imperatives in a world where AI drives decision-making.
- Elevate Teamwork & Leadership: Transform your approach to collaboration and leadership to deliver real results.
- Learn, Collaborate, and Build Lifelong Bonds: Success in business is built on relationships. Through immersive teamwork experiences, our program fosters deep collaboration, strengthening your ability to work with and learn from diverse, high-calibre professionals. You won’t just gain knowledge—you’ll build trusted connections that last a lifetime.
Being part of UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM) means choosing a global school with a strong focus on innovation, academic rigor, and a personalized educational model. We are committed to research and knowledge creation to generate social impact and promote sustainable development.
Backed by Pompeu Fabra University—the top Spanish university and ranked 15th worldwide among those under 50—and UPF Barcelona School of Management’s EQUIS accreditation, this Executive MBA is your launchpad into a future where you lead with confidence and clarity.
Transform your career trajectory in business administration with the UPF-BSM Online Executive MBA—your gateway to game-changing insights, an elite network, and executive-level expertise that will propel your next move to new heights.
Ready to make your voice heard?
Why choose this program
Train at an Accredited School
This Executive MBA belongs to a business school recognized by EQUIS and AMBA and accredited by AQU, placing UPF-BSM among the best business schools in the world.
Learn Flexibly and Customized
Online Executive MBA: Learn anywhere, lead everywhere – The program assures flexibility without compromise. An online format that allows you to balance career, life, and growth—without sacrificing the immersive experience and high-impact learning.
Lead with Integrity in a Complex World
Modern leadership demands more than just business acumen—it requires a strong moral compass. Our Executive MBA challenges you to navigate the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by C-suite executives and board members, equipping you with the decision-making framework to lead with integrity beyond sustainability.
Lead with absolute confidence
Make decisions that shape industries, backed by real-world strategy and cutting-edge insights. All while balancing your professional and academic growth through a flexible, innovative learning experience.
Career Acceleration with Impact
Take control of your trajectory in business administration with top-tier career coaching, leadership mentoring, and direct access to global business leaders. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company, scaling a startup, or transforming your industry, this EMBA prepares you to leave a mark that matters.
Join a Powerful Global Network
Your MBA journey doesn’t end at graduation—it’s just the beginning. Become part of an elite community of over 30,000 alumni, opening doors to global career opportunities, mentorship, and lifelong professional support.
Who is it for?
The Executive MBA at UPF Barcelona School of Management is designed for professionals with a solid track record and a strong commitment to transformative leadership. The program is aimed at executives, entrepreneurs, and team leaders who want to take a leap in their careers, broaden their impact, and lead with integrity in an increasingly complex business environment.
The ideal profile includes university graduates from diverse fields—ranging from Social Sciences, Law, Economics and Business to Engineering and the Sciences—who can demonstrate at least 8 years of professional experience, preferably in roles with responsibility or strategic decision-making.
It is designed for those who want to strengthen their global view of business, boost their capacity for innovation, and join an international community of leaders ready to transform organizations and generate sustainable value.
Accreditations
The UPF Barcelona School of Management is the management school of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), the 3rd best public university in Spain according to the Times Higher Education ranking. It is the best Spanish university, 10th in Europe, and in the Top 20 worldwide in its 2023 ranking of the best young universities.
UPF Barcelona School of Management has EQUIS accreditation, the most prestigious institutional recognition for business schools globally, and places itself among the top business schools in the world.
The Executive MBA has AMBA accreditation from the Association of MBAs, which recognizes UPF-BSM for its academic quality and reputation.
The Executive MBA is an official master's degree and has the academic recognition of the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. The Quality Agency of the University System of Catalonia (AQU) has also institutionally accredited UPF-BSM. This accreditation certifies all the official master's degrees that we teach and recognizes the quality of our educational model in accordance with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
QS Business Masters ranking 2024 For the second consecutive year, the "Executive MBA 2024" ranking published by QS, one of the most consulted rankings in the higher education sector worldwide, includes UPF-BSM among the best selected business schools.
Curriculum
The Executive MBA is structured over 18 months in which students will participate in core and optional subjects. Check the program journey.
We have identified a set of key competencies that favour the professional development of the participants: leadership, communication, co-operation, adaptive thinking, decision-making, and autonomous learning. You will work on these competencies in an integrated and transversal way throughout the Executive MBA.
The MBA is taught in Spanish, but subjects in English can be chosen from among the electives.
Schedule: Friday 3:00-8 PM.
The program also consists of an individual project that is defined in the intensive initial week (from 9 am to 7 pm) and is developed throughout the Executive MBA.
Welcome Residential Week
- Institutional Welcome: UPF Barcelona School of Management
- EMBA Program Presentation
- MasterClass: Fundamentals of Finance
- Team-building and networking activities
- Professional Development: Leadership and Self Awarness
- Business trends and the Executive MBA 2026
- Workshop: Moonshot Thinking
- Visit: Barcelona Super Computing Center
Term A. Explore (15 ECTS Core)
Course purpose
In a world where geopolitical shocks are reshaping markets, supply chains, and corporate decision-making, this course enables executives to understand the interplay between power, economics, and business strategy. Geopolitics and Global Economy places participants at the heart of global transformation, equipping them with a practical framework —the GEOPOWER™ model— to interpret and anticipate the impact of geopolitical risk on business.
Value for executives
The course provides an operational understanding of how international politics, economic cycles, and tensions between blocs influence business decisions in financing, expansion, innovation, and sustainability. Participants will develop the ability to translate global trends into competitive advantages, opportunities, or threats, incorporating a geopolitical perspective as a tool for strategic leadership and corporate risk management.
Course purpose
This course provides executives with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of competitive strategy and business model design, integrating classic approaches with contemporary methodologies of strategic innovation. Through this contrast, participants will learn to formulate consistent strategies, adapt them to the reality of their organizations, and transform them into business models that generate and sustain long-term competitive advantages. The program strengthens participants’ analytical and strategic capabilities, helping them assess their company’s competitive position, identify growth opportunities, and design effective mechanisms to deploy strategy across the organization. It provides practical tools to connect vision with execution, ensure alignment between the value proposition and the operating model, and lead high-impact business decision-making.
The course combines theory and practice through the analysis of real cases (such as Dexcom and Patagonia), strategic formulation workshops, executive debates, and application exercises. An active flipped classroom methodology is used, focused on discussion, comparison, and strategic experimentation.
Value for executives
The knowledge and tools acquired will enable you to improve the quality of your strategic decisions, bring a more structured perspective to executive committees, and lead the evolution of your organization’s business model with greater impact, clarity, and effectiveness.
Course purpose
This course provides participants with the essential tools to understand how financial statements reflect a company’s economic reality and how they support managerial decision-making. Its purpose within the program is to offer a solid foundation for leading with sound judgment in environments where financial information shapes both strategy and organizational viability. The course enables executives to interpret financial data with a holistic perspective and turn it into informed decisions.
Value for executives
Participants will develop the ability to transform financial data into rigorous diagnoses, identifying strengths, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement. This learning is key to evaluating their own or third-party companies, negotiating with confidence, anticipating risks, and supporting proposals with direct impact on management. Ultimately, it is an essential course for any executive aiming to make decisions based on evidence rather than intuition.
Course purpose
This course is positioned as a fundamental, integrative, and strategic component of the Executive MBA, delivered in Term A (Explore) of the program. Its objective is to provide participants with a solid understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence on business management from two complementary perspectives: how these systems work and how they influence executive decision-making.
The course’s relevance for senior leadership lies in the fact that an increasing number of critical decisions (in areas such as people, pricing, risk, and operations) are already mediated or influenced by artificial intelligence models. In this context, responsible leadership requires executives to understand the fundamentals of algorithm training, the central role of data, and the technical and organizational limitations inherent to these systems—without the need to delve into advanced technical aspects.
The course is directly connected to real executive practice by equipping participants with the criteria to assess opportunities, risks, and returns associated with AI adoption, as well as to engage effectively with technical teams, providers, and governance bodies. Understanding how these systems are designed and trained is key to exercising informed, ethical, and strategic leadership in increasingly automated and regulated organizations.
Value for executives
This course will enable participants to develop a clear and structured understanding of how artificial intelligence systems work and how they influence key business decisions.
Course purpose
This course provides participants with a solid framework in neuroscience applied to leadership, enabling them to understand how decisions are actually made in contexts of complexity, emotional pressure, and rapid change—especially in environments mediated by artificial intelligence. Its purpose within the program is to explain what happens in the leader’s brain when uncertainty increases, time is compressed, and consequences are significant, and how these neurocognitive processes shape the quality of judgment, behavior, and influence. The course allows executives to understand how perception, emotion, stress, biases, and neurochemistry systematically—and predictably—affect decision-making, trust-building, and professional reputation.
Value for executives
Participants will develop the ability to recognize and regulate their own neurocognitive and emotional states, as well as to better interpret those of others, particularly in high-pressure situations. This learning is key to improving the quality of strategic judgment, avoiding recurring cognitive errors, managing the emotional load of change, and leading teams when formal authority or complete information is not available. The course provides a distinctive advantage by enabling executives to understand how the brain’s biology—attention, emotion, memory, stress, and trust—shapes organizational behavior, and how to design contexts, messages, and decisions that activate more favorable neurochemical states for collaboration, clarity, and action.
Term B. Develop (15 ECTS Core)
Course purpose
This course aims to develop a strategic vision of human capital as a key lever for competitive advantage. It provides executives with advanced frameworks to lead talent in contexts of transformation, complexity, and rapid change. It addresses decision-making in people management from an integrative perspective: strategy, culture, performance, and sustainability. The course connects organizational dynamics with the real challenges of senior leadership. It focuses on aligning people, purpose, and results, reinforcing the executive’s role as the architect of the organization’s human context.
Value for executives
Participants will develop solid criteria for making strategic decisions in people management. They will enhance their ability to lead diverse, high-performing teams and strengthen their credibility in executive committees and organizational transformation processes. The course equips them with practical tools to attract, develop, and retain key talent, increasing their impact as leaders in changing environments and translating human capital management into sustainable business results.
Course purpose
This course explores how strategic marketing evolves in the digital era, where the abundance of data, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms has radically transformed how organizations understand their customers and make decisions. Its purpose is to help executives move from a tactical and fragmented approach to marketing toward a strategic vision grounded in judgment, prioritization, and the creation of sustainable value, fully integrated into the organization’s overall objectives.
Value for executives
Participants will gain both conceptual and practical tools to make better marketing decisions in contexts of high uncertainty, avoiding both untested intuition and excessive reliance on metrics and dashboards. The course is essential for executives who need to align data, technology, and managerial judgment to design differentiated value propositions, compete in saturated digital markets, and lead teams where marketing, analytics, and strategy converge.
Course purpose
This course addresses logistics as a key strategic system for business competitiveness and sustainability. It analyzes operational efficiency from an integrated perspective: costs, service, risk, and environmental impact. It provides frameworks to redesign processes in global and uncertain environments, integrating sustainability into operational decision-making. The course connects strategy, operations, and corporate responsibility, preparing executives to lead resilient value chains.
Value for executives
Participants will develop a strategic view of logistics processes and enhance their ability to optimize operational decisions with impact on both results and sustainability. They will strengthen their judgment in managing risks within complex supply chains and increase their capacity to lead efficiency and operational transformation initiatives. The course enables them to translate sustainability into concrete executive decisions and improve their impact in organizations focused on long-term performance.
Course purpose
This course explores the evolution of the supply chain in the context of digitalization and Industry 4.0. It analyzes the impact of emerging technologies on planning, execution, and control. It provides frameworks to redesign more agile, resilient, and connected supply chains, integrating data, technology, and operational strategy. The course approaches decision-making from a systemic perspective and prepares executives to lead operations in highly dynamic environments.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to make informed decisions in complex operational environments. They will incorporate criteria to evaluate technology investments in supply chain management, strengthen their capacity to anticipate disruptions and manage risks, and improve their strategic contribution to operations and logistics. The course enables them to translate digitalization into real competitive advantages and increase their impact on organizational efficiency and resilience.
Course purpose
This course develops a strategic understanding of corporate finance applied to executive decision-making. It analyzes how financial decisions impact value creation and sustainable growth. It provides frameworks to evaluate investments, financing, and capital structure, connecting financial analysis with business strategy. The course reinforces the use of finance as a common language within executive committees and prepares participants to lead with financial rigor.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to interpret financial information with strategic judgment. They will strengthen their effectiveness in investment and financing decisions, increase their credibility with financial stakeholders, and improve their contribution in executive committees and boards. The course reduces reliance on intuition in critical decisions and enables immediate application of the learning to their professional context.
Term C. Integrate (12 ECTS Core)
Course purpose
This course analyzes business growth from a global and integrative perspective. It explores the challenges of scaling organizations in complex international environments and provides frameworks for making strategic decisions on expansion and growth. The course integrates strategy, organizational structure, and leadership, addressing growth management as a systemic process and preparing executives to lead organizations in global contexts.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to design and execute growth strategies, strengthening their global business perspective and their judgment in managing organizational complexity. They will improve their impact in international expansion processes, gain practical tools for high-level decision-making, and reinforce their leadership capabilities in growth contexts.
Course purpose
This course explores gamification as a strategic tool for business implementation. It analyzes how experience design influences organizational behavior and provides frameworks to translate strategy into action. The course integrates motivation, decision-making, and execution, connecting methodological innovation with business outcomes and preparing executives to lead effective change processes.
Value for executives
Participants will acquire new tools to drive strategic execution, enhance their ability to mobilize teams, and strengthen their leadership in change processes. They will incorporate innovative approaches to implementation, increase the effectiveness of strategic initiatives, and apply the learning immediately in their professional context.
Course purpose
This course develops a strategic understanding of the use of data in business decision-making. It analyzes how data transforms management and competitive advantage, providing frameworks to interpret information and support executive decisions. The course integrates data, business, and strategy, strengthens executives’ analytical judgment, and prepares them to lead in data-driven organizations.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to make evidence-based decisions, strengthen their dialogue with technical and analytics teams, and improve their judgment when evaluating data initiatives. They will reduce uncertainty in complex decisions, increase their impact on corporate strategy, and apply the learning directly in their professional context.
Course purpose
This course strengthens communication skills as a key competency of executive leadership. It analyzes communication as a tool for influence and decision-making, providing frameworks to structure clear and persuasive messages. The course integrates narrative, context, and audience, reinforces executive presence in high-demand environments, and prepares participants to communicate with impact.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to influence, strengthen their credibility with key stakeholders, and increase the clarity and effectiveness of their messages. They will improve their performance in presentations and negotiations, reinforce their leadership communication skills, and apply the tools learned immediately.
Term D. Lead (12 ECTS elective)
Course purpose
This course addresses innovation as a strategic driver of growth. It analyzes corporate venturing models and collaboration with the broader ecosystem, providing frameworks to evaluate innovative opportunities. The course integrates innovation, strategy, and execution, strengthens decision-making under uncertainty, and prepares executives to lead innovation from the top management level.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to identify and evaluate innovation opportunities, strengthen their strategic judgment when assessing new initiatives, and increase their impact on growth-related decisions. They will improve their dialogue with entrepreneurs and partners, apply proven corporate venturing models, and reinforce their leadership in driving innovation.
Course purpose
This course addresses business sustainability from a strategic, integrative, and decision-oriented perspective. Its purpose is to help executives move beyond a fragmented or purely declarative view of sustainability and understand it as a system that connects strategy, operations, finance, risk, and corporate governance. The course places sustainability at the core of the business model—not as an add-on, but as a factor that redefines competitiveness and long-term organizational viability. It analyzes how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions influence key decisions related to investment, growth, supply chain, innovation, and reputational positioning. A holistic perspective is developed to understand the real trade-offs between impact, profitability, and risk, and how these are managed at the senior leadership level in contexts of regulatory pressure, stakeholder expectations, and increasingly demanding financial markets.
Value for executives
Participants will develop the ability to translate sustainability into concrete executive decisions aligned with strategy and with measurable impact. They will strengthen their judgment in evaluating ESG initiatives without falling into superficial or purely cosmetic approaches, and improve their ability to engage with investors, regulators, and governance bodies using a rigorous and credible language. The course enhances executives’ systemic perspective and their capacity to lead organizations that aim to grow in a responsible, resilient, and sustainable way over time.
Course purpose
This course develops a strategic perspective on negotiation in complex contexts. It analyzes negotiation as a key tool of executive leadership, providing frameworks to manage high-impact conflicts. The course integrates strategy, psychology, and decision-making, strengthens the ability to create sustainable agreements, and prepares executives to negotiate in high-pressure environments.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their negotiation effectiveness, strengthen their ability to manage complex conflicts, and increase their impact on critical decisions. They will improve their leadership in high-tension situations, apply practical tools immediately, and reinforce their executive positioning.
Purpose of the Course
This course provides a strategic understanding of the Chinese business environment. It examines the economic, cultural, regulatory, and geopolitical factors shaping business activity in China. The course equips executives with frameworks to make informed decisions in one of the world’s most complex and influential markets. It integrates global strategy with local execution considerations. Emphasis is placed on navigating institutional, cultural, and operational differences. The course prepares participants to lead initiatives and partnerships in China with clarity and confidence.
Value for the Executive
Participants gain the strategic judgment required to operate effectively in the Chinese market. They develop a clearer understanding of risks, opportunities, and structural constraints. The course strengthens the ability to make sound international expansion and partnership decisions. Executives improve their cross-cultural leadership and negotiation capabilities. Learning outcomes translate directly into more informed global strategy discussions. Participants leave better prepared to engage with China as a critical market in their organization’s international agenda.
Course purpose
This course addresses product development in the Medtech sector from a strategic perspective. It analyzes innovation, regulation, and market dynamics, providing frameworks for decision-making in highly regulated environments. The course integrates technology, business, and strategy, strengthens leadership in healthcare innovation, and prepares executives to manage complex products.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their ability to lead Medtech innovation, strengthen their strategic judgment in product development, and increase their impact on regulatory and market-related decisions. They will improve their dialogue with technical and clinical teams, apply directly transferable frameworks, and reinforce their sector leadership.
Course purpose
This course develops strategic competencies to lead Medtech organizations. It analyzes operations, strategy, and sector-specific leadership, providing frameworks to scale complex organizations. The course integrates decision-making, regulation, and business, strengthens executives’ understanding of the healthcare sector, and prepares them to lead with impact.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their leadership capabilities in the Medtech sector, strengthen their judgment in operational and strategic decisions, and increase their organizational impact. They will improve their ability to manage regulatory complexity, apply the learning directly in their professional context, and reinforce their positioning as sector leaders.
Course purpose
This course analyzes the strategic impact of artificial intelligence on business. It provides a clear understanding of how AI influences executive decision-making, integrating technology, ethics, and strategy. The course strengthens informed leadership in automated environments, connects AI with value creation, and prepares executives to lead with sound judgment.
Value for executives
Participants will enhance their strategic understanding of AI, strengthen their ability to assess opportunities and risks, and increase their impact on technology-related decisions. They will improve their dialogue with technical teams, apply clear criteria in real-world contexts, and lead with responsibility and vision.
Course purpose
This course explores the strategic impact of blockchain and cryptoassets on business models. It analyzes opportunities, risks, and real use cases, providing frameworks to evaluate emerging technologies. The course integrates innovation, regulation, and strategy, strengthens informed decision-making, and prepares executives for advanced financial and technological environments.
Value for executives
Participants will develop the judgment required to evaluate blockchain-based initiatives, improve their understanding of risks and opportunities, and strengthen their strategic decision-making capabilities. They will increase their impact in technology-related discussions, apply the learning in a practical way, and reinforce their leadership in innovation.
Program Finale Residential Week
- Welcome to the program closing: Institutional ceremony
- Welcome to the UPF-BSM Alumni Network: meet the ambassadors
- Final defense of the Master’s Final Project
- Your professional transformation: graduate career support
- Graduation Ceremony & Keynote Speaker
Note on the Curriculum
Complementary activities
The Executive MBA also includes the possibility of participating in practical, and personal and professional growth activities such as:
- Masterclasses with international faculty: Get access to exclusive sessions with world-renowned experts. Learn from their real-world experiences and transformative strategies to make better decisions and redefine success in an ever-evolving business landscape.
- CEO Speaker Series: Join exclusive virtual sessions with world-class CEOs. Through interactive discussions, senior executives will talk about the triumphs and challenges of making high-stakes decisions in today’s context, giving you the tools you need to lead with vision.
- Extended Experience: Take your learning to the next level with an initiative that combines academic excellence with an immersive international experience. Designed to round out your executive training and broaden your horizons with dynamic activities and personalized services. Through Extended Experience, you’ll consolidate the skills future leaders will be expected to master and explore interdisciplinary perspectives beyond the classroom while immersing yourself in Barcelona’s unique energy. You’ll also have exclusive opportunities to expand your international network with high-impact strategic connections.
- Specialization tracks: Personalize your Executive MBA with specialized electives that will place you at the forefront of innovation in the field. Choose from:
- MedTech: Explore the latest advancements in medical technology. Delve into regulatory challenges, emerging innovations in the health sector, and management strategies that drive operational efficiency and improve patient care in a constantly evolving industry.
- Artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making: Harness the full potential of AI and big data. Learn to apply advanced analytics to make better strategic decisions, optimize processes, and differentiate yourself in today’s digital market.
- Company visits: Get a close look at the internal strategies of the most influential companies. Each year, Executive MBA students enjoy exclusive access to leading firms to experience dynamic business environments and gain key insights into innovation, leadership, and operational excellence.
- UPF Languages: Boost your global projection with immersive courses in 10 languages, taught by native instructors with extensive experience. Improve your intercultural communication skills and strengthen your professional profile to stand out in the international business environment.
- UPF-BSM Alumni: Become part of an elite network of over 30,000 professionals worldwide. BSM Alumni is much more than networking; it gives you access to mentoring, exclusive events, and career opportunities with the potential to redefine your future. Keep learning thanks to the collective wisdom of global leaders and open up new horizons for your professional growth.
- UPF-BSM Inside: is a group of interdisciplinary subjects (applied data, communication, creativity, innovation and project management, sustainability and leadership among others) that, if you take this program, you can access at no additional cost. They are 100% online and you can take them throughout the academic year at your own pace, as they have been designed as self-study subjects.
Qualification obtained
Once students have completed the course they will obtain the Máster Universitario en Ejecutivo en Dirección de Empresas / Executive Master in Business Administration EMBA official Master's Degree, issued by the Pompeu Fabra University.
Issuance of official Master's Degrees: The amount stipulated in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia) must be paid for the rights to issue the degree. This rate varies annually and the rate in force at the time of application for the degree will be applied.
Faculty
The Executive MBA is taught by management professionals from leading companies, and professors of recognized international prestige from UPF-BSM and the Department of Economics and Business at UPF.
Academic directors
Faculty
Collaborating faculty
- Josep Ballesté Alabart
PhD candidate in Economics at the University of Barcelona and Vice President at the Swala Institute. He also serves as a Business Coach at Biocat, the BioRegion of Catalonia, and as Director of artificial-intelligence search-engine projects at Fundació Món Clínic Barcelona. His career combines academic research with professional practice, bringing a strategic and global perspective to economic and geopolitical analysis. Lecturer in the course Global Economy and Geopolitics. - Jordina Arcal Cunillera
Engineer by training. She has been recognized as an MIT Innovator Under 35 and received the European Commission’s Innovation Radar Prize 2023. She has developed her career in innovation and technology transfer, holding senior responsibilities in organizations focused on business development and the creation of disruptive business models. Her experience combines strategic management with the promotion of high-impact projects, bringing a practical and transformative perspective to academia. She teaches the course Competitive Strategy and New Business Models. - Clara Lapiedra
CEO and founder of AULA MAGNA Business School, an online educational institution specializing in executive education. With a solid track record in the business and education fields, she has led digital transformation initiatives in the education sector. She is also an active member of various business and educational associations. She teaches the Master’s Final Project (TFM) course, guiding students in the development of high-impact strategic projects. - Marc Ferre Hausmann
Partner at Deloitte and formerly Managing Director at Bayer Global Business Services in Barcelona, where he also led global integration processes. He has more than twenty years of international experience in finance, supply chain, and corporate operations, having driven digital transformations, cost optimization, and new operating models in global organizations. His track record combines strategic management with the leadership of multicultural teams, bringing a practical, change-oriented perspective. He teaches the course Human Capital. - Iñaki Bustinduy
Managing Partner at H&B Human and Business, a consultancy specialized in organizational transformation, talent management, and productivity. He has developed his career in consulting, holding senior roles in human resources and launching several ventures. Since 2005, he has led projects that connect culture, people, and productivity. He is the author of several business and management books and regularly writes articles in business magazines. He teaches the Human Capital course, bringing his expertise in strategic talent management and organizational leadership. - Yago Llaquet
Global MarTech and Marketing Intelligence Lead (Ad Interim) at Sanofi, with over 15 years of experience leading digital transformations and commercial strategies in sectors such as healthcare and technology. He has worked at Bayer and Accenture, and served as Strategic Development Director at RACC. He is an expert in data-driven marketing. He teaches Strategic Marketing in the Digital Era, offering a practical perspective on how brands can connect with consumers in the digital environment. - Cai Felip
CEO of Union Avatars, a company specialized in digital identity solutions and metaverse experiences. He previously served as CTO at WalkABit Ltd. and CEO at Crucial Agency. With over 10 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing global projects, he combines technological innovation with business strategy. He teaches Business Implementation through Gamification, bringing his experience in integrating game dynamics and emerging technologies to enhance engagement and productivity. - Joan Riera
Joan Riera is a consultant, professor, and investor specializing in innovation and corporate ventures. With more than 20 years of experience, he has participated in over 400 projects and has supported thousands of executives and entrepreneurs in creating new business models. He is the founder and president of Active Development, a consulting firm specialized in growth, innovation, and intrapreneurship. He teaches the course Innovation and Corporate Venture, where he shares practical experience connecting organizations with innovative ecosystems and managing internal startups to generate disruptive value. - Marta Arenas-Jal
PhD in Pharmacy and MBA, Marta Arenas is a healthcare innovation leader with international experience in biomedicine, health technology, and knowledge transfer. She is currently Assistant Director at the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign and was previously Senior Healthcare Innovation Manager at CIMTI and Director of R&D and Product Development at Vitae Health Innovation, following a solid research track linked to the University of Barcelona. Her career combines scientific research with strategic management, positioning her as a benchmark at the intersection of science, business, and innovation. She teaches Medtech Leadership Strategies and Business Operations. - Diego Moñux
Diego Moñux is an expert in innovation and public policy in science and technology. He is a member of the Consejo Asesor de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación del Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España and a founding partner of Science & Innovation Link Office (SILO), from which he advises governments, multilateral organizations, and corporations on R&D and innovation strategies. In the EMBA, he teaches Medtech Leadership Strategies and Business Operations. - Angel Sanchez
Partner at Science & Innovation Link Office (SILO), specialized in digital transformation, innovation, and public–private collaborations. PhD in Applied Physics from CSIC and AMP from IESE Business School, he developed his career at IBM and Everis (NTT Data), where he led projects in telecommunications, corporate venturing, and the Space Division in the Aerospace & Defence area. He teaches Medtech Leadership Strategies and Business Operations, bringing his expertise in technological innovation and entrepreneurship models. - Javier Aguilar
Javier Aguilar is Chief Growth Officer at VML Spain and was Chairman & CEO of VMLY&R (MA). With a solid background in engineering and an MBA from ESADE, he combines executive experience with teaching as a permanent professor of Entrepreneurship at ESADE and Strategy at UAB. He is also Chairman of Porsche Club España and serves as a mentor in international leadership and innovation programs, such as the MISK 2030 Leaders Program in Saudi Arabia. In the EMBA, he collaborates as a mentor for the Master’s Final Project (TFM), supporting students as they develop their projects. - Merce Tell
Co-founder and General Partner at Encomenda Capital Partners, a venture capital management firm specializing in early-stage technology startups. With over 20 years of experience in investment, portfolio management, and leading portfolio companies, she brings a strategic and hands-on view of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a mentor for the Master’s Final Project (TFM), she guides students in connecting their projects with real-world business practice. - Carles Florensa
Founder and CEO of Catalana d'Inversions 98, S.L., a company specializing in real estate investments and venture capital. He is a professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at ESADE Business School and a member of the investment committee at Ship2B Ventures. In addition, he is a business angel and impact investor in startups such as Hoop Carpool, and an advisor to several technology companies. He serves as a mentor for the Master’s Final Project (TFM), bringing hands-on experience in entrepreneurial finance and investment strategy.
International Collaborating faculty
- Andrey Kostyuk
Andrey Kostyuk has over 30 years of experience in fintech, angel investing, entrepreneurship, and mentoring. He is Chief Executive Officer of AAlchemy Ventures, Mentormatic, and Taurus Aurum, where he leads startup acceleration programs and investor networks. Holding a PhD in Taxation and Fiscal Policy and a DBA from Grenoble School of Management, he combines his academic and business careers to train, advise, and invest in startups, fostering innovation, collaboration, and social impact. Lecturer in Competitive Strategy and New Business Models. - Yih Teen Lee
Academic Director of the IESE Coaching Unit. Specializing in leadership, person–organization fit, and cross-cultural management, he has delivered training and consulting for multinational companies and international organizations such as UNICEF and UNDP. His research has been published in leading journals and in books such as The Handbook of Chinese Organizational Behavior and The Routledge Companion to International Human Resource Management. He serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Management, Journal of World Business, and Advances in Global Leadership. He teaches the course Leadership and also Leadership and Self-Awareness. - Joshua Bernstein
Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in organizational leadership and human capital. With a strong background in the social sciences and experience in strategy consulting, he advises companies on strategic influence and international growth. He is a partner at VAULT Profit Partners and focuses on talent and leadership development in corporate environments. He teaches the course Human Capital. - Eleni Kitra
CEO and founder of KITRA Inclusive, with over 30 years of global experience in digital transformation, communications, and marketing. She has held senior roles at companies such as Meta, Sony, Omnicom, and Multichoice. An international speaker and author, she has been recognized among the Asia’s Top 100 Women Power Leaders 2023 and the CIOTimes Influential Women to Watch 2023. She is an adjunct lecturer for the course Strategic Digital Marketing. - Richard Jolly
Professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. After 22 years at London Business School, he joined Kellogg, where he teaches courses on power, leadership, and organizational change. He is the director of Stokes & Jolly Ltd, a consultancy specializing in executive development, coaching, and top-team facilitation in more than 40 countries. He is an adjunct lecturer in the course Professional Executive Development: Find Your Purpose. - Cormac Walsh
Academic Director and Lead Trainer at 4Voices, based in Barcelona. Specialized in executive coaching, communication and public-speaking training, and English pronunciation for non-native presenters. With more than 15 years of experience, he has trained thousands of professionals at leading business schools and multinational companies. He teaches the course Business Communication, helping executives overcome self-limitation and master confident communication. - Nick Morgan
Professor at Harvard Executive Education and an international expert in executive communication. He holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Literature from the University of Virginia and is the founder of consulting firm Public Words, where he advises executives and organizations on leadership communication. The author of several landmark books on communication, he is an international speaker and contributes as a blogger to Harvard Business Review and Forbes. He is an adjunct lecturer in the course Business Communication. - Steven Guest
Professor at ESADE Business School, specializing in strategic negotiation, professional communication, and conflict management. With a solid background in economics, he combines academic experience with an extensive track record in consulting and executive education. He is the director of his own consultancy, focused on coaching processes, communication skills development, and corporate reputation management. He teaches the course Strategic Negotiation, bringing a practical and strategic perspective to developing negotiation competencies in business settings.
Methodology
A flexible, personalized modality. At UPF-BSM, we redefine online learning with a dynamic experience that adapts to your professional goals. Anytime and anywhere, you set the pace while staying connected to a cutting-edge virtual environment. Get 24/7 access to interactive materials, collaborative tools, and real-time progress tracking. Join live webinars, discussion forums, and weekly tutoring that turn knowledge into action. This is more than online education: it’s a growth path designed for those who never stop.
Active Learning Methodologies: The Ultimate Advantage
Our approach isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating real-world impact and expanding your network through innovative, engaging strategies:
- Flipped Classroom: Absorb high-quality theoretical content at your own pace through videos, interactive readings, and digital modules. Then, dive into virtual sessions filled with debates, case analyses, and group problem-solving to transform theory into practical expertise.
- Project-Based Learning (PBL): Tackle real or simulated business challenges by developing projects that demand deep research, collaborative teamwork, and innovative solutions—turning academic insights into actionable strategies that drive success.
- Collaborative Learning: Engage in group tasks and case studies using cutting-edge collaborative tools, where experienced instructors facilitate discussions, ensuring every voice is heard. This method not only strengthens teamwork skills but also fosters a vibrant environment for shared knowledge.
- Gamification: Stay motivated and engaged with a learning experience enriched by game mechanics—simulations, competitions, points, levels, and rewards. This playful yet competitive approach helps you apply knowledge in creative and impactful ways.
In essence, our online methodology applied to the Executive MBA offers you unparalleled flexibility, fosters robust networking, and drives real-world outcomes. It’s not just learning—it’s a transformative journey designed to empower you as a leader in today’s fast-paced global business arena.
Created for those who dare to lead change
Designed for executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders who refuse to settle and are ready to take control of their future. The online EMBA offers the flexibility to advance professionally without sacrificing your personal life.
Connecting theory and practice
Combined with hands-on activities, the sessions enable students to acquire advanced competencies directly applicable to their professional field, building an effective bridge between academic theory and the multiple realities of the business world. This connection is reinforced with company visits and masterclasses with CEOs.
Integrated learning through the Master’s Final Project
Focused on the business environment, the Master’s Final Project allows students to put learning into practice. By integrating multidisciplinary competencies, participants apply the knowledge and skills acquired to real professional situations. The process culminates in the development and defense of a project that simulates the workplace. The project is completed individually, with the support of a mentor and guidance from the Program Management.
Continuous assessment and guidance
Personalized assessments, self-assessments, and case studies measure your progress throughout the course. Faculty and tutors provide ongoing feedback, while the program management team supports you throughout to ensure you achieve your goals.
AI, innovation, and global impact
The future of leadership demands digital fluency, strategic agility, and sustainability-driven decision-making—we place you at the center of it all, empowering you to shape the future of business.
Strategy with real-world application
Every module, every case study, and every challenge is geared toward immediate, real application—because leadership happens in action—preparing you to adapt to complex business environments and accelerate your career trajectory.
Evaluation
The Executive MBA program includes various evaluation systems for each course: examinations, group projects, and individual assignments. Class attendance is a mandatory requirement to ensure a comprehensive experience and maximize the benefits of the program.
Tools
The learning process is characterized by its flexibility, since, in the virtual learning environment, the structure of the school calendar and the diversity of multimedia resources which are made available to the student allows them to acquire knowledge in a self-regulated manner.
The support of the teaching staff and interaction with classmates is carried out by making use of a wide variety of communication channels that facilitate proximity and didactic dialogue.
Professional Future
Executive Professional Development
The Executive MBA at UPF Barcelona School of Management is not limited to delivering academic excellence—it is a catalyst for professional and personal transformation. Our Executive Professional Development area supports every participant throughout the entire program, strengthening their leadership and expanding their career horizons.
Through activities specifically designed to accelerate your growth, you will work on self-awareness, discover your professional purpose, and build your personal brand as a leader ready to create impact. These experiences are integrated across the master’s program and help you define—clearly and strategically—your next step on the leadership path.
The Executive MBA opens the door to new opportunities in senior management roles, strategic responsibility, and entrepreneurial leadership, both in multinational corporations and in startups or your own ventures. In addition, by joining a global community of more than 33,000 alumni, you gain ongoing access to a network of contacts, mentoring, and employability resources that will support your growth long after graduation.
This program doesn’t just prepare you for the next position—it equips you to redefine your role as a leader, expand your impact within the organization, and contribute to business and societal transformation.
Student profile
The Executive MBA at UPF Barcelona School of Management brings together a diverse, high-caliber community of professionals who share a solid track record and the ambition to take a leap in their leadership development. Participants have an average of 15 years of professional experience, with a recommended minimum of 10 years, ensuring a mature, strategic learning environment with high-value contributions. The average age is 39, reflecting a profile geared toward decision-making in complex settings.
In terms of roles, students come from middle management (40%), senior management and C-level (30%), area heads, and entrepreneurs. This plurality enriches discussions with varied perspectives and real leadership experiences. The program also stands out for its sectoral diversity (consulting, technology, industry, healthcare, banking, consumer goods, among others) and for its international outlook. Within the UPF-BSM community, more than 140 nationalities are represented and 59% of our students are international.
This mosaic of experiences, sectors, and cultures creates a collaborative, multicultural environment where innovation, global vision, and strategic thinking are naturally strengthened, boosting both learning and networking opportunities.
Average age
Average experience
Nationalities represented
Career opportunities
The Executive MBA: A Crucial Tool for Career Transformation
The Executive MBA shapes leaders prepared to drive change and thrive in uncertainty. By blending theory with hands-on practical sessions, applied projects, and impactful activities, the program empowers participants to take charge of new challenges with innovative solutions.
This results-driven approach strengthens participants’ professional standing and equips them to navigate and lead in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environments. Upon completion, they are fully prepared to take on the dynamic challenges of the business landscape and lead transformations with confidence.
Transform Your Future:
The Online Executive MBA is more than a program—it's your catalyst for professional transformation. This program equips you to revolutionize organizations and lead with confidence in unpredictable, VUCA environments.
A Power-Packed Learning Experience:
- Integrated Approach: Blend rigorous theory with practical sessions, applied projects, and hands-on activities, ensuring you’re always ready for the next challenge.
- Real-World Impact: Develop innovative solutions that elevate your professional standing and position you as a strategic leader in dynamic markets.
- Future-Ready Leadership: Graduate fully equipped to navigate the complexities of today's business landscape and drive transformative change.
Step into a future where you lead decisively, innovate boldly, and transform the business world—because your leadership journey starts here.