Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
Drive Organizational Growth as a Visionary COO

Overview
The UC Berkeley Executive Education Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program is designed for operational executives looking to strengthen their leadership capabilities and drive enterprise-wide impact. It emphasizes operational excellence, organizational growth, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Over seven months, expert faculty will offer practical insights and frameworks to help leaders drive sustainable change across their organizations.
Upon successful completion, participants gain a pathway toward the Berkeley Executive Education Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE).
More about the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
The Learning Journey
The Berkeley Executive Education Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program offers a dynamic experience through live online sessions, expert-led discussions, and practical application exercises. The program combines a forward-looking curriculum with a hands-on capstone project and insights from UC Berkeley Haas faculty and industry leaders to strengthen operational leadership and strategic decision-making. It culminates in an optional two-day networking experience on the UC Berkeley Haas campus in California.
AI Technology for Leaders
This program explores the impact of AI on business and operational leadership through interactive sessions, strategic frameworks, and practical decision-making tools.
Capstone Strategy Project
Across four core modules, participants apply key concepts to real-world projects focused on strategic operations, complex leadership challenges, C-suite collaboration, and technology integration.
Global Leadership Campus Immersion
The Global Leadership Campus Immersion brings together participants from multiple cohorts for a two-day in-person experience on the UC Berkeley Haas campus with faculty sessions, guest keynotes, and networking opportunities.
Who's it for
The Berkeley Executive Education Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program is designed for professionals seeking to expand their executive leadership capabilities. The program is ideal for, but not limited to:
- Operational leaders across functions seeking to enhance their strategic thinking and drive transformation initiatives
- Senior-level executives aiming to advance into operational leadership and step up to C-suite roles
- Aspiring operational leaders looking to build their strategic capabilities and lead organizational change
Want to approach your employer about supporting your development? Check out this article.

Format & Structure
Blended
- Two-day in-person networking event at the UC Berkeley campus in California
- World-renowned Berkeley Haas and Executive Education faculty
- Blend of group exercises, one-on-one coaching, and peer feedback
- Four live sessions led by distinguished UC Berkeley Haas faculty designed to empower current and aspiring COOs
- AI integrated into interactive sessions, providing strategic frameworks and practical tools to support smarter decision-making
- Access select UC Berkeley Haas alumni benefits upon completion of the program
Dates & Costs
Blended
What people are saying
Get more information
Is the Berkeley Executive Education COO Program suitable for professionals transitioning into enterprise leadership roles?
Yes, the Berkeley Executive Education COO Program is designed for experienced leaders such as senior operations executives, functional heads, directors, and vice presidents who are preparing to step into broader enterprise leadership or COO positions. It is particularly valuable for professionals looking to strengthen their strategic, operational, and transformational leadership capabilities.
How much weekly time commitment is required for the program?
Participants typically dedicate three to five hours per week to coursework, including online modules, live sessions, case discussions, and capstone project work.
What types of professionals will I network with during the Berkeley Executive Education COO Program?
The cohort includes senior executives, operational leaders, aspiring COOs, and cross-functional leaders from diverse industries and geographies, creating opportunities for peer learning and strategic networking.
How are live online sessions conducted, and are recordings available?
Live sessions are conducted virtually by UC Berkeley Haas faculty and industry experts. Recordings with transcripts and chapter markers are generally made available for participants who cannot attend in real time.
What practical outcomes can participants expect from the capstone projects?
The capstone projects are designed to help participants apply program frameworks to real organizational challenges, enabling them to develop actionable operational strategies and transformation initiatives.
Partner
UC Berkeley Executive Education has partnered with Emeritus to deliver high-impact online programs. This collaboration broadens access to our premier management thought leadership while maintaining the exceptional quality of UC Berkeley.

Faculty

Terry Taylor
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | Milton W. Terrill Chaired Professor of Business Administration | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability

Ned Augenblick
Edward J. and Mollie Arnold Chair in Business Administration | Associate Professor, Economic Analysis & Policy, Haas School of Business

Homa Bahrami, PhD
Executive Teaching Fellow, Senior Lecturer: Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Sara Beckman
Teaching Professor | Earl F. Cheit Faculty Fellow Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Innovation & Design | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business

Abhishek Nagaraj
Associate Professor | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management of Organizations

Omar Romero-Hernandez
Continuing Lecturer | Business & Social Impact | Operations & IT Management | Sustainability, Haas School of Business
Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Signal your professional achievement to your network and get recognized for your completion! Upon successful completion of the program, UC Berkeley Executive Education grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants that you are encouraged to add to your profiles.
Note: This program results in a digital certificate of completion and is not eligible for degree credit/CEUs. After successful completion of the program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you directly. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of UC Berkeley Executive Education.

Certificate of Business Excellence
Participants in the Certificate of Business Excellence (COBE) program will earn a mark of distinction from a world-class university, gain access to a powerful global network, and enjoy the flexibility of completing the program in up to three years. A UC Berkeley Certificate of Business Excellence allows individuals to create a personal learning journey structured by our four academic pillars to gain management essentials in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance to drive both personal and organizational development.


