HR leaders are increasingly playing a pivotal role in empowering companies to respond to a dynamic and fast-evolving business landscape. The rise of the CHRO as a strategic partner to the CEO is a testament to the fundamental role of HR in steering the business transformation agenda. The roles and responsibilities traditionally assigned to HR leaders have significantly evolved and expanded over the past few years. In the age of rapid digital transformation and disruption, it's time that we empower them to stay ahead of the game.

To drive this agenda forward and cultivate future-ready HR leaders, Cornell University in collaboration with XED is kickstarting Cornell’s HR Business Leadership Program this May for senior-level HR leaders. The program is geared towards senior-level HR professionals with over five years of experience, who are currently residing in the Middle East, South Asia, or Far East regions. 

From building a solid talent pipeline and bridging the skills gap, to creating an employee-centric workplace and achieving long-term business targets, the HR function has evolved manifold in the last decade. Each aspect offers strategic support to the growth and success of the organization. With this in mind, the program is broken down into three timely and impact-driven modules:

• HR as a CXO: By prioritising the business front of organisational functions, this module is all set to equip HR leaders with the right skill sets that add value to the organisational growth plan; drive the larger business strategy in collaboration with other leaders and critical key stakeholders; and level up their role as a business leader. Analytics is also an equally important part of this module with the rising significance of leading a data-driven organisation. 
• HR as a Talent Leader: Given the urgency of finding the right talent to enable business growth, building a talent pipeline that is aligned with the business strategy is a critical component of talent leadership. At the same time, there is a need to retain and nurture talent by sustaining an inclusive culture. With the aim of empowering leaders on talent development and inclusivity, this module highlights the role of organisational design in executing strategy. 
• HR as a Change Driver: Business transformation is a key priority of organisations in a rapidly changing business ecosystem. Through this module, HR leaders will gain critical insights on how to enable a culture of innovation in the workplace, lead organisational change, and play a fundamental role in the future of work.

In addition to these three core modules, HR professionals will also have access to over 1,000 electives for a year upon starting the course. The aim is to provide broader business knowledge in areas such as finance, service excellence, data analytics and digital leadership, marketing, operations and supply chain among others, to elevate cross-functional skills in the business domain. Apart from getting year-long access to these practical skills, HR professionals will also have the opportunity to network with peers and global faculty and receive a certificate of completion from Cornell University.

Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of this program is the opportunity to interact and learn from celebrated Cornell faculty members that include Bradford Bell, Professor - Strategic HR; Rebecca Kehoe, Associate Professor - HR Studies; John Hausknecht, Professor - HR Studies; Adam Litwin, Associate Professor; Diane Burtin, Professor, Chair - Department of HR Studies; Tony Byers, Senior Faculty - Diversity & Inclusion; and Vanessa Bohns, Associate Professor - Department of Organisational Behaviour. 

This program runs for a period of four months, with 10 LIVE interactive sessions with smaller cohorts for a more impactful learning experience and year-long access to 1000+ electives. For an all-inclusive fee of US $3,500, professionals will have the chance to learn from top Cornell faculty in the domain of HR and leadership. 

Upskilling has become a must-have rather than a nice-to-have in today’s dynamic and volatile economy. To become drivers of change and strategic partners for organizational success, HR leaders must rise to the occasion by developing the critical skill sets necessary to thrive in this culture. 

If you’re a leader who wants to take the first step to business transformation, this program is for you. Know more.