MIT COO Program: An In-Depth Review
- About the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
- Why Should Operations Leaders Consider the MIT COO Program?
- Who Should Apply for the MIT COO Program?
- What Will You Learn in the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program?
- How Does the MIT COO Program Customize Learning for Executives?
- About the MIT COO Program’s AI Speaker Sessions
- What Is the Learning Experience Like?
- Who Teaches in the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program?
- What Certificate Do You Earn After Completion?
- Why Choose the MIT COO Program?
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Synopsis: This comprehensive review examines how the MIT xPRO COO Program empowers leaders to connect strategy with execution. Whether you are stepping into a COO role or preparing for the C-suite, it helps you determine if this transformative program fits your professional trajectory. |
The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program helps executives future-proof their operations through frameworks grounded in data-driven decision-making, digital transformation, and innovation leadership.
Whether you are a newly appointed COO or an operations leader aspiring to the C-suite, the MIT COO Program provides the structure and insights needed to master operational complexity and deliver measurable enterprise impact.
About the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program
Designed by MIT faculty and practitioners, the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program prepares executives to lead complex organizations through growth, transformation, and technological disruption.
| The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program at a Glance | |
| Duration | 9–12 months |
| Format | Online + live online |
| Core themes |
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| Key deliverables | Executive Reflection and an operational transformation plan |
| Certificate | An MIT xPRO-verified certificate of completion +15.5 CEUs |
| Networking | Optional two-day on-campus networking event |
Why Should Operations Leaders Consider the MIT COO Program?
Modern COOs face the dual challenge of driving efficiency and leading transformation. The MIT COO program directly addresses this shift, helping executives build agility, resilience, and technology fluency.
Through interactive learning and real-world application, participants learn to:
- Apply data-driven generative AI frameworks for operational decision-makingÂ
- Integrate emerging technologies, such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics, to streamline processesÂ
- Build cross-functional alignment across global teamsÂ
- Lead cultural and organizational change to sustain growthÂ
“The most valuable part of the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program was the integration of real-world leadership challenges into immersive learning modules—particularly the simulations and Executive Reflections. The layered approach of applying frameworks across topics such as networks, influence, power, culture, and change enabled me to connect strategic leadership theory to my own operational leadership experiences in the mining and energy sectors.”
—Georgia Linton, Vice President of Operations, Epiroc Drilling Solutions
Who Should Apply for the MIT COO Program?
The MIT COO Program is best suited for:
- Current or newly appointed COOs leading transformation at scale
- Heads of operations, supply chain, and transformation functions
- Senior executives preparing for C-suite advancement
Eligibility:
- Minimum of 10 years of work experience
- Fluency in English
“It was a great program that was very applicable to where and when I am in my career. I learned a lot that I can apply immediately, and that will help me in the future.”
—Ronald Alexander Robertson, Managing Director, Invesco Ltd
What Will You Learn in the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program?
The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program curriculum is organized around three foundational pillars, ensuring participants develop a comprehensive, systems-level perspective on operational excellence.
- Strategy: The COO as a Strategic Partner
- Learn to bridge business strategy and operational design, translating leadership vision into executable, measurable outcomes.
- Apply systems thinking and data-driven frameworks to manage complexity and optimize decision-making across functions.
- Strengthen your ability to craft organizational and product strategies that drive efficiency, scalability, and competitive advantage.
- Learn supply chain and computational approaches that enhance enterprise resilience and support long-term business transformation.
- Business Transformation: Leveraging Technology for Growth
- Learn to apply emerging technologies—including AI, IoT, and digital supply chain systems—to enhance agility and resilience.
- Use data-driven insights and automation frameworks to improve efficiency, scalability, and decision-making.
- Explore real-world case studies demonstrating how innovation and analytics drive operational excellence.
- Gain practical tools through modules such as Digital Transformation in Supply Chain, Future Technologies, and Innovation in Practice.
- Leadership: Building High-Performance, Cross-Functional Teams
- Strengthen your ability to lead across functions, aligning diverse teams around a unified strategic vision.
- Build influence, negotiation, and change management skills to drive organizational agility and stakeholder alignment.
- Develop strategies to create high-performance cultures that foster innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
- Apply insights from modules such as Negotiation and Influence, Change Management, and Leading High-Performance Teams.
Commenting on how the program facilitates global perspectives on operational challenges, Janet Tharaldson, COO, Percy.ai, says:
How Does the MIT COO Program Customize Learning for Executives?
The MIT COO Program offers a highly personalized learning experience designed to align with each executive’s career goals, leadership context, and organizational challenges. Every participant receives structured guidance and flexibility to tailor their journey for maximum impact.
Guided by a dedicated cohort success coach: Each cohort is assigned a success coach who helps participants stay on track, integrate program insights into their work, and personalize their learning goals throughout the journey.
Supported by a program advisor: Participants can consult with a program advisor to select electives, align their coursework with professional priorities, and refine their long-term career trajectory.
Elective learning for specialization: Executives can choose two topical electives* (6–10 weeks each) to deepen expertise in areas most relevant to their industry or function. These electives include:
- Designing and Building AI Products and Services
- Supply Chain Management: Leading with AI and Digital Transformation
- The Internet of Things (IoT): Design and Applications
- Virtual and Augmented Reality for Business Transformation
- Robotics and Future Technologies
*Elective topics are subject to change. Please visit the program page for the latest information.
Executive Reflections for practical application: At key points in the program, participants complete three Executive Reflection projects that connect academic concepts with real-world organizational challenges. These reflective exercises help leaders translate frameworks into actionable strategies for business transformation.
Flexible learning design: Through a blend of self-paced online modules and live sessions, executives can balance learning with demanding professional schedules while maintaining meaningful engagement with peers and faculty.
Read testimonials from past participants who turned this holistic learning experience into real-world impact across diverse industries.
“This has been an amazing experience overall. The course modules were approachable and digestible, with just the right amount of timing and spacing for the video content. I was able to juggle my tasks as a COO and work through the program in a way that wasn’t overwhelming or overly stressful. The content was great, and the live interactions were a joy as well.”
—Andrew Herscher, COO, ClearFocus TechnologiesÂ
About the MIT COO Program’s AI Speaker Sessions
The AI Speaker Sessions bring executives closer to the forefront of AI-driven innovation, offering live insights from MIT experts on how technology is reshaping leadership. These sessions ensure COOs can confidently lead in a world where AI and automation are central to enterprise success.
Key topics include:
- AI for strategy: Redefining competitive advantage in the AI era
- Generative AI: Reinventing innovation pipelines and customer value
- Agentic AI: Automating decision-making for operational efficiency
- Geopolitical risk management: Strengthening global supply chain resilience
- Boardroom readiness: Navigating AI governance and ethical decision-making
“I liked the practical examples delivered during the live sessions through the modules. They helped me correlate my own examples and find quick applicability of concepts.”
—Salvador Montes Alfaro, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain, Resolve Surgical TechnologiesÂ
What Is the Learning Experience Like?
The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Program combines flexibility, rigor, and practical engagement.
Executive experience
Blended learning format: A seamless mix of self-paced modules and live, interactive sessions lets participants engage deeply with MIT faculty and global peers—without compromising professional commitments.
Applied and experiential focus: Each module integrates frameworks, simulations, and real-world case studies, helping executives connect theory to action and refine decision-making for complex operational challenges.
Peer learning and collaboration: Participants join a global cohort of senior leaders, sharing perspectives from diverse industries and functions to foster collaborative problem-solving and cross-functional insight.
MIT campus immersion and networking: The program culminates in a two-day, in-person networking event at MIT’s Cambridge campus, featuring faculty-led masterclasses, industry panels, and opportunities to exchange strategies with global operations leaders.
Describing how the program contributed to a unique learning experience, Melody Ferguson, Strategic Operations Leader, Bristol Myers Squibb, says:
Who Teaches in the MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program?
The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program faculty includes globally recognized experts who blend management strategy, technology innovation, and systems engineering:
- David Niño, Faculty Director, Senior Lecturer, Engineering Leadership
- Deborah Ancona, Professor of Management, MIT Sloan
- Daniela Rus, Director, MIT CSAIL
- Hamsa Balakrishnan, Professor, Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Maria Jesus Saenz, Director, MIT Digital Supply Chain Lab
- Bryan R. Moser, Academic Director, System Design and Management
- Ray Reagans, Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Management
What Certificate Do You Earn After Completion?
Participants receive a professional certificate from MIT xPRO, validating their mastery in strategic operations and leadership. This credential demonstrates readiness to:
- Drive enterprise-wide transformation
- Champion data-driven decision-making
- Lead cross-functional operations teams
- Apply technology-enabled frameworks for sustained growth
Why Choose the MIT COO Program?
The MIT xPRO Chief Operating Officer Program stands apart because it delivers knowledge with transformation. For senior leaders managing complexity, driving cross-functional growth, or stepping into the C-suite, this program offers five unmatched advantages:
Strategic depth meets operational execution: The MIT COO Program is designed for operational leaders who sit at the intersection of strategy and execution. You will learn how to translate big-picture vision into measurable results that drive enterprise performance and shareholder value.
A curriculum built for real-world leadership: The program mirrors the evolving COO role—one that demands cross-functional agility, financial acumen, and technology fluency. Through data-driven frameworks, simulations, and case studies, you will learn to navigate uncertainty and lead transformation with confidence.
Technology and innovation at the core: With electives and live sessions on AI, IoT, robotics, and digital supply chains, this program equips you to anticipate disruption and embed innovation into the fabric of your organization—essential skills for future-proofing operations in a fast-changing world.
The MIT advantage: credibility, confidence, and impact: Earning a professional certificate from MIT xPRO signals more than completion: it reflects your readiness to lead at the highest level. The MIT brand stands for rigor, innovation, and leadership excellence, giving you the strategic credibility that distinguishes top-performing COOs in the global marketplace.
“The discussions were very, very informative! As someone who is not in the COO role just yet, I felt I learned a lot from others’ posts on the discussions. It was nice to see how those who are already in a C-suite role address the topics each week.”
—Aimee James, General Manager, EWU Media LLC
MIT xPRO’s Chief Operating Officer Program turns operational leaders into strategic catalysts, equipping them to:
- Reimagine operations through technology and innovation
- Build adaptable teams and systems
- Lead with data, purpose, and foresight
Enroll in the MIT COO Program today and shape your organization’s future with MIT’s operational excellence DNA.
