Emerging Social Purpose Leaders
Develop your business and leadership skills as an emerging leader in not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations. Generous scholarships available.
Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Overview
Leaders in not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations operate in highly complex contexts.
This immersive 12-week program has been designed to equip not-for-profit and other social purpose leaders who have little or no prior business management training, with the knowledge and skills to lead to achieve social impact and financial sustainability.
Please note that generous scholarships are available for this program. All eligible applicants will be automatically considered.
Information on scholarships for the program
The Program is designed around the principles of action-learning.
Participants learn through a combination of classroom-based sessions and application of this knowledge to issues and challenges they are encountering in their workplaces.
This structure sees participants attending three blocks of two-day residential (classroom) learning, followed by four weeks of a work-application and reflection, all supported by a work-based mentor and coaching by MBS.
The Program’s three residential blocks led by expert academics from Melbourne Business School and industry experts. These residential learning blocks cover essential topics such as: social purpose strategy; social impact systems thinking and measurement; stakeholder management and communication; leading people; financial fundamentals; and social purpose governance.
An integral part of the program is action planning – participants are required to develop actionable plans during each block to apply their learning in their workplace, with the support of their workplace mentor and MBS coach.
6-19 July: Onboarding in MBS Academy including Pre-Program Diagnostic, WhatsApp Group and Program Goal Setting.
13-17 July: Self-organised initial meeting with Mentor.
13-19 July: Pre-work
20-21 July: In-residence learning
22 July - 23 August: Work-applied learning
10-23 August: MBS Coaching session (30mins)
17-23 August: Pre-work
24-25 August: In-residence learning
26 August - 4 October: Work-applied learning
21 September - 4 October: MBS Coaching session (30mins)
28 September - 4 October: Pre-work
5-6 October: In-residence learning
6 October: Program wrap-up
Between residential sessions, participants benefit from collaborative learning opportunities, building a professional network of like-minded leaders who share similar vision and challenges.
Who Should Attend Emerging Social Purpose Leaders?
Line, program and project managers
- In medium and large not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises with little or no prior management experience.
CEOs and General Managers
- In smaller not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises with fewer than five full time equivalent staff.
Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Key Takeaways
Leadership capabilities
- Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge needed to lead positive change.
Management knowledge
- Learn how to apply the fundamentals of management to your organisation’s context.
Action Plan
- Create, implement and review an Action Plan tailored to your individual or organisational leadership journey.
Insights from industry experts
- Hear from recognised social purpose leaders, gaining valuable insights from real-word examples to enrich your working experience.
Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Topics Covered
Combining in-person residential learning with ongoing development in their workplace, the program offers a unique learning experience while fostering a lasting network of like-minded peers.
Social Impact Systems Thinking
Social Purpose Strategy and Impact Measurement
Stakeholder Management and Communications
Leading People
Financial Fundamentals
Negotiations
Social Purpose Governance
Expand or Deepen the Capabilities of Your People
Develop business skills as a strategic enabler of your social purpose organisation.
Invest in your workforce development by providing emerging leaders with the right tools to enhance the social impact of your organisation. Organisations that commit to employee growth and development foster loyalty, reduce turnover and build a strong pipeline of future leaders to create social change.
Program Enquiry
The social purpose ecosystem is complex and interconnected. By joining our community of dedicated learners, you will benefit your career, your organisation and the communities you serve.
Libby Ward-Christie
DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL PURPOSE ORGANISATIONS
Not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations require leaders equipped with both commercial acumen and the skills to increase their social impact. Melbourne Business School and the Centre for Social Purpose Organisations are excited to support the next generation of leaders who are dedicated to this vital work.
Will Harvey
PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP
Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Key Facilitators
DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL PURPOSE ORGANISATIONS
Libby is a recognised leader in the not-for-profit and social enterprise sector. Her achievements demonstrate an ability to bring the worlds of community, business, philanthropy and government together to sustainably address disadvantage in new ways, informed by rigorous research and evidence.
PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP
Will Harvey is a Professor of Leadership at Melbourne Business School. He is an International Research Fellow at the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation Will researches on reputation, talent management and leadership within organisations. He has recently published the book, Reputations at Stake, with Oxford University Press.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ACADEMIC DIRECTOR (MBA & MASTER OF MARKETING PROGRAMS)
Nam Tran joined Melbourne Business School in 2011. Before completing his PhD and a Graduate Teaching Fellow position at the University of Oregon, Nam was an Auditor with Vietnam Auditing Company (Deloitte Vietnam), providing services to clients in various industries, such as cement, tobacco, brewing and beverages, and real estate.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
David Keith is an Associate Professor of Strategy, and Associate Director – Innovation in the MBS Centre for Sustainability and Business. After completing his PhD in Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, David joined the faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the System Dynamics group. David’s specializes in the use of simulation for strategy development in complex and dynamic settings, with a particular focus on the future of the automotive industry.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT
Daisung Jang is an Assistant Professor of Management at Melbourne Business School. He is an award-winning researcher who studies negotiation. He has a particular interest in studying how people plan to bargain and implement negotiated deals. He is also interested in how individual characteristics influence this process, by exploring how personality shapes how people plan, bargain, and deliver on an agreement.
Scholarships
Inclusions
The scholarship ($12.500) covers all tuition, mentoring, one night of accommodation per block (for the three blocks), and meals during the stay—lunch, dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Successful scholarship recipients will receive this with the requirement that they or their organisation cover $500 of the overall $13,000 fee. Additional accommodation and travel expenses are covered by their organisation.
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria focus on the perceived benefits the program will provide to both the individual and their organisation. The selection committee will carefully consider factors such as the type, industry, and size of the organisations represented. This approach ensures a diverse cohort, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences that add depth, variety, and vibrancy to the learning environment.
The CSL Community Impact Scholarships are the result of a partnership between CSL and MBS.
In 2026, there are up to eight CSL Community Impact Scholarships available for the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program.
The WISE Employment Community Scholarships are the result of a partnership between WISE Employment and MBS.
In 2025, there are 18 WISE Employment Community Scholarships available for the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program.
Upcoming Sessions
In this residential program, participants stay on campus and engage in workshop activities after hours.
Read our full terms and conditions and other frequently asked questions for more information.
2027 Sessions
Program Enquiry
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