In a constantly evolving business environment where change and innovation are commonplace, strategic leadership is essential to the growth and competitiveness of an organization. To better align HR executives within their strategic leadership teams, Darden Executive Education has designed the program, Developing HR Capabilities in Strategy, Leadership, and Change. The program is intended to equip mid- and senior-level HR executives with the relevant and critical business foundations and tools necessary to position themselves as strategic partners within their respective organizations. Through this course, participants will enhance their professional skills in strategic contribution and learn to build credibility. At the conclusion of the program, participants will be capable of identifying and investing in organizational and individual actions that create value. HR professionals will return to the workplace ready to contribute in a leadership role, make impactful decisions, and collaborate on business challenges in a systematic, strategic manner.

• HR professionals from large companies who are likely to have senior HR roles within three to five years.
• Mid- to senior-level HR executives and general managers ready to further understand their value as HR leaders in achieving and influencing overall organizational goals.
• Senior HR professionals from mid-sized and smaller firms looking to expand their human capital capabilities to drive business results.
• Senior HR professionals who want to develop their capacity to work as part of a leadership team in designing and executing strategic plans.

This intensive course provides an in-depth exploration and understanding of the strategic role of human resource management in achieving business objectives and gaining competitive advantage. Participants will heighten their knowledge and increase their competence to better serve a dual role in their organizations as members of their senior management teams and leaders of the human resource function. Executives will become key players in building their organizations’ cultures, and will:

• Develop the ability to deliver value and drive business strategy through HR.
• Investigate the complex topic of change management and explore what is required from all personnel if the organization is to succeed in dynamic business environments.
• Learn to maximize and communicate HR's strategic value within their organizations, transforming the HR role into an integral, bottom-line enhancing business asset.
• Investigate new concepts and discuss individual viewpoints.
• Return to the workplace with both the perspective and methodology to contribute to top management team discussions about the strategic direction of their organizations.

• A Pragmatic Perspective: Lessons From Dell and Citigroup
• Framing and Developing HR Opportunities
• HR Leadership: The Next Paradigm
• HR Metrics and Analytics
• Influencing Strategic Decisions
• Strategic Alignment
• Talent Management and Human Capital Architecture
• The LEAD Concept
• The Role of HR in Change/Change Consulting
• The SELF Model: Balancing Strategic, Ethical, Legal, and Financial Perspectives
• Value Creation and Core Capabilities

• Vice President, Human Resources
• Director, Executive Compensation
• Human Resources Director
• Senior Manager, Human Resources
• Manager, Learning and Development

The program design mixes participative classroom sessions with small group discussions, action learning projects, and lesson applications and exercises. It also offers integrated opportunities to interact closely with leading business executives, top thought leaders, and faculty in the field of human resource management, as well as a diverse set of participants from a wide range of industries.

Jared Harris
Assistant Professor of Business Administration, The Darden School, University of Virginia

Erika Hayes James
Bank of America Associate Professor of Business Administration, The Darden School, University of Virginia.

Scott A. Snell
E. Thayer Bigelow Research Professor of Business Administration, The Darden School, University of Virginia.

Patrick M. Wright
William J. Conaty GE Professor of Strategic Human Resources, School of ILR, Cornell University.