As organisations adopt digital technologies and AI, effective transformation requires more than strategic vision. Leaders must create alignment, mobilise people around change and translate ambition into action. This programme will help you lead through uncertainty and address resistance with confidence.
This course is offered by Rotterdam School of Management b.v.. For more information about the legal structure of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, visit this page.
Digital technologies and AI are creating new opportunities for growth, innovation and competitive advantage. At the same time, they require organisations to adapt the way they work, collaborate and create value.
Successful transformation requires more than a strong strategy. It requires leaders who can align people around a shared direction, build momentum for change and turn ambition into action.
This executive programme combines the latest thinking on digital transformation, AI, leadership and organisational change with practical tools that can be applied directly within your own organisation.
You develop a deeper understanding of the leadership capabilities and organisational dynamics that shape digital and AI-enabled transformation, together with a more critical perspective on how to translate these insights into effective action and sustainable impact.
Understand the strategic impact of digital technologies, platforms and AI.
Recognise the organisational challenges that can accelerate or hinder transformation.
Lead change in complex and uncertain environments.
Create stakeholder alignment and build support for transformation initiatives.
Strengthen organisational readiness for digital and AI adoption.
Translate strategic ambitions into actionable plans.
Use practical frameworks to guide transformation efforts.
Develop and present a digital and AI transformation approach relevant to your own organisation.
Learn how to take advantage of emerging disruptive technologies that are threatening to disrupt your industry, such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and block chain. You will focus on how to effectively compete in tomorrow’s digital landscape by anticipating digital trends and competitors’ responses.
Become a better strategic advisor who can influence, drive, and implement effective digital strategies.
You will learn to make better decisions with data by combining knowledge from cognitive and data science. Increase your own decision intelligence and acquire the tools to transform data overload into actionable insights, and enable structural changes in your organisation.
Is your company struggling to embrace digital innovation? You will learn what changes you need to make to your business model, how to respond strategically to digitization and disruption, and discover how to introduce a future-proof and innovation-driven culture.
You will design your digital business model using the canvas, paying particular attention to your value propositions.
Leading teams through change
Aligning stakeholders around strategic priorities
Driving organisational transformation
Delivering sustainable business impact
You may recognise one or more of these challenges:
Turning digital and AI ambitions into action
Creating alignment across teams and stakeholders
Increasing adoption of new technologies and ways of working
Managing resistance and uncertainty during change
Balancing innovation with day-to-day operational priorities
Sustaining momentum and delivering lasting impact
My experience with the Digital Leadership and Change programme at RSM was both inspiring and practical. I chose RSM for its reputation in thought leadership within business education and because I previously completed my studies here. What I valued most about the programme was the interactive learning environment. That blend of expert faculty, hands-on exercises, and collaborative group work with peers from diverse industries created a dynamic and engaging setting, and the course content achieved a fine balance between strategic frameworks and actionable tools. A key takeaway for me is that every company faces challenges with digital transformation but it takes role models to truly drive change. While the journey can be complex and demanding, the programme demonstrated that successful transformation is possible. Many of the insights gained have reassured me that we are heading in the right direction, and I discovered new tips and strategies to foster a digital mindset and support innovation within my team and across the company. The perspectives and skills I acquired have made me a more confident leader, motivated to be a positive force for change. I recommend this programme to anyone dedicated to leading digital transformation.
This DPDT programme offered the tools and aspects of digital transformation, which gave me a solid foundation to help my company make that step towards digital transformation.
Everybody, regardless of their industry, should join this programme at RSM. Particularly people who are looking for a balance between scientific research and practice. It’s relevant for every company. And it’s helpful when working on a more strategic level; you can really have more impact on decision-making.
During the Digital Leadership and Change Programme you will learn from Prof. Eric van Heck, Dr Martijn F. Rademakers and Dr Frieda van Belle. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Eric van Heck is a professor of information management and markets at RSM. His research concentrates on business architectures and digital platforms for dealing with complex societal and business challenges. At the moment he works on Auction Markets, Big Data & Analytics, Digital Business & Architecture, and Digital Work. Research is carried out in collaboration with innovative companies and universities in Brazil, China, Europe, Indonesia, and USA. He is an active member of the Erasmus Center for Data Analytics and the Erasmus Center for Future Energy Business.
Martijn Rademakers is a visiting faculty member at RSM and adjunct professor of corporate strategy at Amsterdam Business School. He is also managing director of consultancy Sollcorp, and founding board member of TONOS, a start-up for planning capacity and logistics for healthcare organisations. He is experienced in education and consultancy for bridging theory and practice of business innovation, organisational change and strategic leadership. He researches the interconnectedness of strategy, organisation and leadership. He is an author of several books; Corporate Universities: Drivers of the Learning Organization is published in five languages, and he is editor of the special edition Journal of Creating Value (Nov 2019).
Frieda van Belle is an independent consultant and guest lecturer in digital and data transformation. She coaches management teams in the use of technology to enable business growth and help teams make change happen. Earlier, Frieda was a partner at digital strategists SparkOptimus, helping companies to implement digital and data strategies. Frieda holds a PhD in physics from Cambridge University.
At RSM, we strongly believe in not only sharing knowledge about digital transformation, but generating new knowledge and valuable insights through the facilitation of applied research. The Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA) is a flagship centre for cross-disciplinary insight on data, AI, digitalisation, and immersive technology. ECDA is devoted to the development and application of data analytics methods to address real-world challenges, and works together with RSM on short courses and customised programmes to bring the latest in cutting-edge research to our corporate partners.
7 - 9 December 2026
22 - 24 March 2027
21 - 23 June 2027
6 - 8 December 2027
2026: € 3,700 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
2027: € 3,900 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM.
To receive your diploma programme, you need to complete three courses. Each course is three days long. You must complete the Impact Project module in order to gain your diploma.
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in business and management education.
Here’s why you should choose RSM:
This programme takes place in the Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, just 15 minutes by public transport from Rotterdam city centre. Our modern and lively campus has innovative study facilities, sustainable design, and calming green spaces.
Most programmes start at 09:00 Most programmes start at 09:00 Central European Time (CET) in winter and 09:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer. Finishing times are different for each programme. There’s also an approximate schedule in each programme’s brochure and on its webpages. When you register for a programme you will be given access to Canvas, our online learning system, and the full schedule is in Canvas. Your programme manager will hand out a detailed schedule on the first day of your programme.
Class sizes are usually between 12 and 24 people, but it does depend on the programme. We aim for a balance between allowing capacity to guarantee individual attention, and achieving a good group dynamic and networking opportunities.
Yes. Alumni from RSM and Erasmus University Rotterdam receive a 15% discount.*
RSM alumni are students who have completed either a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, PhD or one executive education programme of more than 40 credit hours. Additionally, companies which sponsor several participants may also be offered a special price.
Only open programmes of more than 40 credit hours confer alumni status and qualify participants for the alumni discount on subsequent open programmes.
*please note that discounts are not stackable and that the following programmes are excluded:
Advanced Management and Leadership Programme
Diploma Programme in Digital Transformation
Diploma Programme in Advanced Business Valuation
Diploma Programme in General Management
Programmes offered by the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA)
Space for Business
Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, access to the RSM study facilities and dynamic learning environment. This also includes lunch and refreshments throughout the programme.
Hotel accommodation is not included, so please make individual arrangements for your stay in Rotterdam. See more information in the Transportation, directions and accommodation section below.
If you require hotel accommodation during your stay in Rotterdam, we recommend a few hotels:
Please contact the hotels directly to make and secure your own reservations.
Note: We recommend that you select the flexible booking option when reserving a room.
Our general terms and conditions apply when you register for an open programme. Please review them to learn more about our policies for cancellation, deferral and substitution.
If you have more general questions, we recommend you explore our more in-depth FAQs page. If you are looking for personal advice, then please contact one of our advisors using the contact form below.
Programme advisor
It's my priority to help you identify how you can meet your professional objectives, so reach out and let's make a plan for your personal development.