Driving change
The Human Resources Executive Program aims at providing the HR Department with business and strategy information and with the necessary tools to play a central role in the creation of new opportunities for the company.
This course provides HR managers with a complete view across the company and a higher degree of planning over their future development. The course is intended for both HR specialists wishing to acquire a full understanding of the HR process function, and those who’d like to hold an HR position and already have experiences performing different roles.
Thinking and operational skills are developed in order to provide an analytical understanding of the current situation and define an efficient people strategy. Thanks to a suitable HR management, companies can increase the return on human capital investments.
Attending the Human Resources Executive Program means acquiring the skills to be a protagonist of change and a higher degree of awareness on the role and the contribution provided by the HR department in achieving the goals.
The program consists of six topic-based modules on People Management & HR Function, People Strategy and Digital HR, Talent Attraction, Acquisition e Onboarding, Learning & Development, Employee Performance & Total Workforce Management, New Ways of working.
In partnership with:
ACCREDITATIONS AND RANKINGS
Bologna Business School is EQUIS – EFMD Quality Improvement System accredited, one of the most important international quality assessment and continuous improvement systems for Schools of Management and Business Administration.
Bologna Business School’s Open Programs are included in the Financial Times Ranking in the Executive Education 2026 category.
Gli Open Program di Bologna Business School sono inclusi nel Financial Times Ranking nella categoria Executive Education 2025.
Structure
The program is delivered in a weekend format and explores the key challenges of contemporary Human Resources Management, from defining HR strategies to talent management and development, from skills enhancement to new models of work organization.
Classes are led by university faculty, consultants, and experienced business professionals, and are enriched by company testimonials, best practices, practical exercises, and opportunities for discussion and peer learning among participants.
The schedule and dates for the next edition will be announced shortly.
COURSES
New values and mission of the HR function
- Recruiting: Looking for the skills to compete
- Evaluation: What to evaluate of people and how
- Management: HH Business Partner or part of business?
- Learning: How, where and why
Designing the organisation and HR processes of the Digital Transformation
- The ongoing digital revolution and its impact on people and business processes
- HR Technology (Digital & Social Recruiting)
- The impact of technology in corporate communication
- Cyber Security and data protection
Strategies and tools
- Digital & Social Recruiting
- Assessment techniques and tools
L&D new strategic business asset
- Learning & Development: strategies and operational plans
- Need Analysis: company and individual skills development
- Methodologies and tools for learning and development in the company
The evolution of the Total Workforce approach and the contribution of competence models and performance management systems
- Competencies: the new value
- The competency model: architecture and design
- The tools for competence mapping
- Systems architecture and phases of the performance management process
- Rating and calibration systems, supports and IT systems
- Evolutionary trends in EMP
Beyond smartworking to foster people engagement and individual empowerment
- New organisational forms (business agility) and New Ways of Working: smart work, agile work, hybrid work
- Corporate culture and EVP
- Sustainable work: employability model and strategies
- HR challenges: globality, diversity, inclusion
- Employee Wellbeing & Engagement
Learning approach
The teaching approach is strongly practice-oriented and integrates contributions from faculty members coming from academia, industry, and consulting. The program combines lectures, analysis of real business cases, and direct testimonials from managers, fostering learning that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Teaching activities are supported by an e-learning platform featuring materials and exercises to facilitate study and further exploration between sessions.
Faculty
Faculty members at Bologna Business School work together offering outstanding teaching standards. An international and interdisciplinary approach is guaranteed by a joint team of distinguished national core professors, adjunct, visiting professors, guest speakers and top managers.
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Giorgio Ballotta
Senior Partner Achieve Italy
Miller Heiman Group
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Fabrizio Montanari
Associate Professor of Organization and Human Resource Management
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
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Carlo Ugdulena
Managing Partner
Wospee
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Massimiliano Ghini
Director
European Center for Team Emotional Intelligence
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Marcello Russo
Full Professor of Organization and Human Resource Management
University of Bologna
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Alfredo Montanari
Adjunct Faculty and Senior Advisor
BBS
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Chiara Ruini
Associate Professor of Psychology
University of Bologna
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Stefano Meloni
Senior Executive Consultant
Piessepi
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Andrea Tabladini
Senior Advisor
KPMG Advisory
Networking
The open program is an experience built around people and relationships, fostering valuable connections through continuous interaction among participants, faculty members, and managers. During the classroom sessions, a dynamic network develops, enriched by the diversity of experiences, roles, and industries. A vibrant ecosystem that enhances learning and continues to generate value over time.
COMPANIES
Companies within the Bologna Business School network actively contribute to the development of the Open Programs by helping shape the content and bringing real-world experience into the classroom. Managers and professionals take part through testimonials, real business cases, and direct contributions, enriching the learning journey with a practical perspective. Interaction with companies from different industries encourages a continuous exchange of experiences and best practices. This ongoing dialogue between the classroom and the business world creates a dynamic ecosystem where skills, perspectives, and approaches come together, generating value for all participants.
FEES
The participation fee for a single module is:
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€1,200 (+ VAT) for enrolments from companies and institutions;
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€1,000 (+ VAT) for individual enrolments.
The participation fee for a single module is:
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€4,500 (+ VAT) for enrolments from companies and institutions;
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€3,600 (+ VAT) for individual enrolments.
The fee includes attendance to the program, all study materials available through the online platform, and access to Bologna Business School services, including a personal Wi-Fi account and use of the study areas.
Discounts are available for:
- early registrations;
- companies belonging to the Business Network;
- Alma/BBS and Profingest Alumni;
- groups of at least 3 people.
INTERPROFESSIONAL FUNDS
Alumni and Companies can check the availability of vouchers at the relevant Interprofessional Fund:
Fondimpresa – for supervisors / middle management
Fondo Dirigenti PMI – for managers in industrial SMEs
Fonditalia
Fondirigenti – for executives
Fon.Coop – for cooperative companies
REQUIREMENTS
The program is limited to a maximum of 20 participants in order to ensure an effective and interactive learning experience, and is open to professionals with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To participate, it is necessary to request the application form by emailing openprograms@bbs.unibo.it. The team is available to provide all relevant information and support candidates throughout the process.
FAQs
At the end of the course, a participation certificate is issued (upon reaching 80% of classroom hours).
The documents used in the classroom and any further reading or exercises will be uploaded to our platform, whose credentials will be delivered in the classroom.
Should a group of colleagues wish to participate in the program, it is possible to contact the Program Manager to evaluate an ad hoc participation price.
Our short courses do not require a specific course of study. It is important to have a few years of work experience behind you that can help you, inside the classroom, by bringing real cases dealt with and solutions adopted during your work.
