Additional Details
Registration for the Talent Development Executive Certificate Program is handled through the Association for Talent Development. Please review their policies on payment, cancellations, and refunds here.
The Talent Development Executive Certificate program is designed for senior talent leaders to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, assess organizational needs, design strategic workforce development programs, advocate for enterprise-wide talent initiatives, and influence stakeholders with a business-first, people-focused approach.
The Talent Development Executive Certificate Program is designed to empower leaders with the skills they need to drive change. Combining the unparalleled expertise of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) with Penn GSE’s academic rigor and expertise from the faculty and alumni of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program, this program equips leaders with the personal insight, learning innovation, and business acumen required to thrive at the highest levels.
Program StartMarch 17, 2025
Application DeadlineMarch 7, 2025
Cost
See Additional Details below for information about registration, payments, and cancellations.
Length & Time Commitment6 months
Designed forHigh-potential senior talent and workplace learning leaders, including those preparing for C-suite roles, who are seeking to elevate their leadership capabilities and strategic impact.
Penn GSE has partnered with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) to develop and launch the Talent Development Executive Certificate program. ATD is a premier organization dedicated to empowering professionals globally through talent development and learning solutions. With a robust network and a wealth of resources, ATD stands at the forefront of shaping industry standards and fostering innovation in talent and leadership development.
The program runs from March 17 – August 29, 2025. Live online sessions are hosted every Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET. Sessions are all held live on Zoom, and attendance for each session is required.
The virtual, cohort-based course is designed for sustained learning and application, with each of the topics spanning one month. The program covers six core topics through asynchronous readings and assignments, paired with four synchronous sessions per topic each month:
Sessions are all held live on Zoom, and attendance for each session is required.
This session equips aspiring executives with the strategic mindset and critical competencies needed to lead high-performing talent development functions in today’s dynamic business environment. This session delves into the multifaceted role of executive leadership in talent development, exploring how to align TD initiatives with organizational strategy, cultivate executive presence, develop strategies for integrating DEI principles, and navigate complex stakeholder relationships. Participants will examine the interplay between enterprise-wide operations and talent needs, while developing a keen awareness of the vital role emotional intelligence and a business-first mindset play in effective decision making and stakeholder influence. The session emphasizes the importance of balancing people-centric approaches with strategic business acumen.
Participants will enhance their ability to articulate the business case for scalable, sustainable talent development organizations, supported by insights into financial fundamentals crucial for TD projects. Ethical decision-making and governance in talent development are explored in depth, preparing leaders to navigate complex organizational landscapes. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, this session prepares leaders to position talent development as a strategic driver of organizational success, fostering a culture of continuous learning and performance improvement at the highest levels of the organization.
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, talent development executive leaders must cultivate a business-first mindset and possess a deep understanding of corporate strategy to effectively align learning initiatives with organizational goals.
This comprehensive session equips aspiring talent development executives with the critical strategic acumen needed to thrive in today’s complex business landscape. It cultivates an essential business-first mindset, emphasizing the vital connection between talent development, corporate strategy, and market dynamics.
Participants will learn to interpret corporate vision, leverage market insights, and engage key stakeholders to position themselves as strategic partners in driving business success. Through a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, learners will develop the skills to create business-aligned learning initiatives, conduct basic market analysis, and build compelling business cases for TD investments. This session empowers TD leaders to elevate their strategic impact and champion learning solutions that resonate with both internal stakeholders and market realities.
In an era of constant change, the ability to shape and evolve organizational culture is a critical competency for talent development leaders. This session explores the intricate relationship between organizational culture, change management, and talent development, focusing on how talent development executives can drive cultural transformation and manage change through strategic learning initiatives.
Participants will develop skills to diagnose organizational culture, manage change effectively, and leverage talent development as a key driver of employee engagement and cultural activation. Through a blend of theoretical concepts and practical applications, this session equips talent development leaders with actionable strategies to overcome resistance to change, align change management with talent development, and measure the impact of cultural transformations. By mastering these competencies, participants will position themselves as strategic partners in organizational transformation, capable of designing and implementing learning initiatives that shape culture, drive change, and enhance overall organizational performance.
Outcomes:
This session will equip talent development leaders with foundational knowledge to become more data-informed in their strategies. Participants will gain insights into leveraging basic people analytics to enhance decision making and demonstrate the value of learning initiatives. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to approach HR data and begin translating it into actionable insights for their organizations.
In today’s digital age, leveraging technology is crucial for effective and scalable talent development. This comprehensive session explores current and emerging learning technologies, digital solutions, and trends in EdTech, focusing on how talent development executives can strategically implement these tools to enhance learning experiences and drive organizational performance.
This session will equip talent development leaders with the foundational knowledge about innovative learning technologies and methodologies to support organizational goals. Participants will gain insights into selecting, implementing, and evaluating technology-driven learning solutions that align with their organization’s unique needs and objectives.
In an era of rapid change, innovation and creativity are essential for keeping learning and development practices relevant and effective. This session focuses on equipping talent development executives with the tools and mindset to foster innovation, anticipate future trends, and create a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
This session will empower talent development leaders to become catalysts for innovation and future-readiness in their organizations. The session covers strategies for creating learning ecosystems that not only respond to change but anticipate and drive it. By mastering these skills, talent development executives can ensure that their learning initiatives remain at the cutting edge, fostering a workforce that is agile, innovative, and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. This forward-thinking approach will position the learning function as a strategic driver of organizational success in an ever-evolving business landscape. Participants will gain the ability to lead their organizations through transformative learning experiences, anticipate future skill needs, and cultivate a culture of innovation that permeates all levels of the organization.
Outcomes:
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