Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme
Develop a strategy that propels innovation and gives your firm a competitive advantage by addressing industry-specific challenges.
Start date
12 February 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Programme overview
Emerging technologies are one of the top trends impacting PSFs, with artificial intelligence being applied to 61% of mid-sized to large consultancies – up 38% from last year.
Consultancy.uk (Feb, 2020).
The top opportunities in the professional services industry will be within the design, research, promotional, and consulting services segment.
Business Wire (Jul, 2019).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Professional service firms (PSFs) have traditionally relied on technical knowledge to distinguish themselves in the market. However, the modern business environment has become more complex, and more than technical expertise is needed to compete.
The Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme is designed to equip senior leaders and partners in PSFs with the necessary skills to enhance their services and encourage transformation of their firms for the future. This professional service firms online programme focuses on leadership and strategy, offering a unique Oxford model to optimise and account for personal growth and firm development. Led by Programme Director Michael Smets, you will learn to become an orchestrator who brings together teams, drives collaboration, and leads change.
The programme features the Swirl Model, a distinctive framework based on Oxford Saïd research that outlines the factors that drive continuous self-development and the components of a winning performance. Using this model within your context will empower you to deliver outstanding client-centric services, expand your reputational footprint, build your partner relationships, and enhance your expertise through learning. Additionally, you will leave with a strategy for innovation and growth, positioning you and your firm for success in this highly competitive market.
Is this programme for you?
This programme is targeted at senior managers and partners of professional service firms looking to advance their leadership, strategy, and innovation skills. It is suitable for professionals from various industries, including finance, accounting, IT, law, consulting, advertising, and insurance. The programme aims to help partners develop essential people management skills to navigate the unique challenges of professional service firms and drive innovation within their firms. With a focus on transforming firm capabilities, participants will be equipped to manage and retain top talent and develop a winning strategy that provides a competitive advantage.
This Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Programme overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
Professional service firms (PSFs) have traditionally relied on technical knowledge to distinguish themselves in the market. However, the modern business environment has become more complex, and more than technical expertise is needed to compete.
The Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme is designed to equip senior leaders and partners in PSFs with the necessary skills to enhance their services and encourage transformation of their firms for the future. This professional service firms online programme focuses on leadership and strategy, offering a unique Oxford model to optimise and account for personal growth and firm development. Led by Programme Director Michael Smets, you will learn to become an orchestrator who brings together teams, drives collaboration, and leads change.
The programme features the Swirl Model, a distinctive framework based on Oxford Saïd research that outlines the factors that drive continuous self-development and the components of a winning performance. Using this model within your context will empower you to deliver outstanding client-centric services, expand your reputational footprint, build your partner relationships, and enhance your expertise through learning. Additionally, you will leave with a strategy for innovation and growth, positioning you and your firm for success in this highly competitive market.
Is this programme for you?
This programme is targeted at senior managers and partners of professional service firms looking to advance their leadership, strategy, and innovation skills. It is suitable for professionals from various industries, including finance, accounting, IT, law, consulting, advertising, and insurance. The programme aims to help partners develop essential people management skills to navigate the unique challenges of professional service firms and drive innovation within their firms. With a focus on transforming firm capabilities, participants will be equipped to manage and retain top talent and develop a winning strategy that provides a competitive advantage.
This Oxford Leading Professional Service Firms Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
What will set you apart
The skills to create a competitive edge for your firm as well as yourself, guided by exclusive Oxford research that focuses on leadership development.
Leadership and strategy skills that enable you to respond to and manage unique PSF challenges, and help you remain relevant as you progress in your career.
A strategy for transformation and innovation, with insight into the roles that technology, diversity, and paradoxes play in PSFs.
Insights from leading business practitioners, field experts, and academics, as well as a global network of fellow PSF leaders.
Unlimited access to both the official Oxford Executive Education Alumni group on LinkedIn and 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Programme curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
From expert to orchestrator: Redefine your contribution to competitive advantage
Module 2
Excellence with relevance: Deliver client-centric services through bundling
Module 3
Becoming known: Grow your reputation through compelling communication
Module 4
Beyond the trusted partner: Grow strategic relationships through partnering
Module 5
Ahead of the curve: Future proof your capabilities through collaborative learning
Module 6
The big win: Leading transformational innovation in your firm
Get more information
Programme Director
Michael Smets
Professor of Management, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
About the certificate
Discover how to achieve a competitive advantage within professional service firms and earn an official certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the programme.
%20(1).png)
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
Want to buy this course for your team? Chat with us to get started.
Get Started
