Professional Diploma in Leading Change and Transformation

• IMI is in the top 2% of executive education providers worldwide.
• We have been empowering business leaders to build their capabilities for over 70 years.
• We are ranked #1 in Ireland for academic rigour and practical relevance on our Open-Enrolment programmes
• Our full focus is on you, the participant. Through continuous reinvestment, we engage world class faculty to enhance the learning experience and deliver highly contextualised and outcome-led programmes. This provides you with the best opportunity possible to grow your career.

The programme runs from 6 April 2027 to 4 November 2027. A detailed workshop schedule is outlined below:

• 6, 7, & 8 April 2027
• 4, 5, & 6 May 2027
• 1, 2, & 3 June 2027
• 31 August, 1 & 2 September 2027
• 5, 6, & 7 October 2027
• 2, 3, & 4 November 2027

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• Diagnose the real barriers to change (structure, culture, incentives, leadership patterns, stakeholder dynamics)

• Design a change strategy that links business outcomes to behavioural and operational shifts

• Mobilise sponsorship and build a coalition across functions, levels and (where relevant) group/HQ stakeholders

• Plan for adoption: communications, engagement, capability-building and reinforcement mechanisms

• Handle resistance and politics with confidence and professionalism

• Measure progress using practical indicators that go beyond “activity metrics”

• Build change capability in teams so transformation doesn’t depend on a single leader

• Practice-first learning: tools, frameworks and templates you can use immediately

• Real-world application: apply learning to a change initiative you are leading (or will lead)

• Peer learning: cohort-based discussion with leaders navigating similar complexity

• OD + transformation integration: combine human systems thinking with execution discipline

Module 1: Overview and Core Concepts

• Understanding change and transformation (and why programmes fail)
• Aligning change with organisational strategy and priorities
• The role of HR and ESG in shaping sustainable change

Module 2: Ethics, Culture, Politics and Governance

• Leading change through ethics, culture, politics and governance
• Understanding power, influence and organisational dynamics
• Moving from strategy to implementation with strong governance

Module 3: Talent and Individual Interventions

• Assessing and supporting individuals through change
• Coaching, mentoring and performance management in practice
• Building capability and measuring individual-level interventions

Module 4: Team Dynamics, Decision Making and Group Interventions

• Understanding and diagnosing team dynamics
• Improving decision-making and group processes
• Managing conflict and strengthening senior team effectiveness

Module 5: Organisational Interventions and Sustainable Transformation

• Designing organisational structures and interventions
• Aligning systems, communication and digital transformation
• Embedding ESG into organisational effectiveness and change

Module 6: Large Scale Advanced and Complex Change Interventions

• Diagnosing and leading enterprise-wide change
• Combining interventions for system-wide impact
• Communicating, sustaining and embedding long-term transformation

This programme is designed for leaders who are:

• Leading a business transformation, operating model change, digital/technology-enabled change, or culture shift

• Accountable for outcomes but facing stakeholder complexity (multiple functions, governance layers, or matrix environments)

• Seeking a structured, credible approach to change that goes beyond communications plans

• Responsible for building change capability in others (teams, functions, or programmes)

Typical participants include: senior managers, functional leaders, programme/change leaders, HR/OD professionals, transformation leads and executives responsible for strategic initiatives.

• A candidate’s eligibility for each Professional Diploma will be determined by a combination of their academic qualifications and/or relevant professional experience.
• A primary degree from a recognised third- level institution (NFQ level 8), with a minimum classification of Second Class Honours, will typically be required with five years relevant work experience, at least 3 of which must be at managerial level, however, prior workplace learning will be recognised where applicants do not meet the academic requirement.
• This experience may come from a general business or organisational background, or experience working at a management level or in the area specifically related to the Professional Diploma. The candidate may be interviewed by the Programme Director. The IMI Office of the Registrar will oversee all applications, and the final decision on any application shall remain with the IMI Registrar.
• All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to show evidence of the successful completion of an IELTS or TOEFL test or equivalent as specified within the application form. The English language requirement when using IELTS is a score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each individual section or equivalent.

Read our campus information page for details.