AMDP & OPM Program Highlights

Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Design offer two prestigious executive education programs designed for senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners who are committed to advancing their leadership capabilities and driving meaningful organizational growth. Below is an overview of each program, including key dates, structure, and what participants can expect.

Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP)

Harvard Graduate School of Design | View Program

Program At a Glance

Overview

The Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) is Harvard’s premier advanced leadership program in real estate. It is a one-year executive development program that combines on-campus immersion with remote collaborative work, uniquely blending design and real estate education in a way that no other program offers.

A comprehensive, multi-phase executive education initiative, the AMDP is designed for senior leaders who are focused on strategic decision-making, leadership development, and long-term value creation across complex organizations. Participants engage in dynamic projects, learn from world-class Harvard faculty spanning multiple schools, and emerge with practical insights ready for immediate application.

Program Structure

The AMDP is structured around three on-campus Terms and four Elective Units, supplemented by collaborative remote projects:

• Five weeks of on-campus “Terms” at Harvard GSD
• Four Elective Units tailored to individual goals and areas of focus
• A Team Project completed between Terms 1 and 2
• An Independent Project completed between Terms 2 and 3

Curriculum

The case study method serves as the primary form of instruction. During on-campus terms, participants attend an average of fifteen 90-minute sessions per week, spanning the following disciplines:

• Leadership
• Development & Finance
• Planning
• Design, Technology, and Strategy

Faculty

AMDP sessions are led by renowned faculty drawn from across the Harvard University ecosystem, including:

• Harvard Graduate School of Design
• Harvard Business School
• Harvard Kennedy School
• Harvard Law School
• Harvard College

Sessions are further enriched by industry luminaries and recognized experts from around the world.

Who Should Attend

The program is designed for accomplished professionals with many years of real estate-related experience and proven success in leadership roles. Participants come from all over the world and represent a wide variety of industry sectors connected to the built environment. Proficiency in English and local residency during the program are required.

Alumni Benefits

Upon completing the AMDP, participants become Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) Associate Members, gaining access to:

• A worldwide directory of AMDP alumni
• Harvard’s global alumni network and resources
• Lifelong relationships that support personal and professional growth

Owner/President Management (OPM)

Harvard Business School | View Program

Program At a Glance

Overview

Owner/President Management (OPM) is a prestigious, multi-year program tailored for business owners and entrepreneurs. It emphasizes leadership excellence, global perspective, and the scaling of privately held companies through immersive, cohort-based learning.

OPM is a transformational program for leaders who are pushing toward operational excellence and advancing their company’s agenda. Participants leave inspired to drive growth, innovate through disruption, cultivate an agile culture, and sustain enterprise success.

Program Structure

Each OPM session is delivered in three units over 24 months, allowing participants to apply new insights at their companies throughout the program:

• Unit 1 — May 10–29, 2026 (Full-Time, HBS Campus)
• Unit 2 — January 31 – February 19, 2027 (Full-Time, HBS Campus)
• Unit 3 — Estimated March 2028 (Full-Time, HBS Campus)

Participants are expected to complete all three units of the same cohort. In extenuating circumstances, and with approval from the Program Director, participants may join a subsequent cohort.

Key Learning Features

OPM’s curriculum is delivered through a rich blend of formats designed to maximize learning and real-world application:

1. The Case Method: Faculty presentations, case studies, small group discussions, and large classroom debates that sharpen analytical and decision-making skills in real time
2. Learning Groups: Intimate peer cohorts that function as a personal board of advisors during and after the program
3. Executive Coaching: Confidential one-on-one sessions with a professional HBS Executive Coach focused on professional challenges and leadership effectiveness
4. Interactive Simulations: Dynamic, hands-on exercises that place participants in key leadership roles
5. Personalized Faculty Access: In-class and one-on-one engagement with leading HBS faculty

Key Topics

The OPM curriculum is designed to address the most pressing challenges facing business owners and presidents:

1. Driving growth while managing uncertainty
2. Managing financial risks strategically to inform decision-making
3. Identifying opportunities and challenges in global business
4. Leading and managing people to effectively execute strategy
5. Crafting successful sales and marketing strategies that drive value
6. Strengthening negotiation skills across diverse contexts
7. Setting and achieving long-term strategic goals

Who Should Attend

OPM is designed for business owners and founders who meet the following criteria:

• You (or your family) hold a significant equity stake in the firm
• You have an active operating role in the firm
• The business has experienced substantive growth and scale since inception
• Your role covers the scope of CEO, COO, President, Managing Director, or Executive Director

While the curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, participants from multigenerational family businesses and long-established companies are also welcome to attend.

Faculty

All OPM sessions are developed and taught by widely recognized HBS faculty — skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. The program is chaired by Deepak Malhotra, Eli Goldston Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

Alumni Benefits

Upon completing OPM, participants become lifetime members of the HBS alumni community, with exclusive access to:

1. A vast global HBS alumni network
2. Resources that facilitate lifelong learning and personal development
3. Ongoing connections with a cohort of dedicated peers from around the world

For more information or to apply, visit the respective program pages linked above or contact the program advisors directly through the Harvard Executive Education website.