Executive Master's in Hospitality and Business Leadership
Executive Master's in Hospitality and Business Leadership
Study pathway
Executive Master of Advanced Studies in Hospitality and Business Leadership
Your program faculty combines the very best minds from Glion with handpicked visiting lecturers. Every class will be led by an acknowledged expert in their chosen field. The flexible study plan lets you learn at a pace that’s comfortable, and which you can balance with the demands of your professional role. The interactive program format enables you to connect and network with an executive-level peer group while you study, and especially during your on-campus Residential Week. After graduation you will join an international Glion alumni community that numbers more than 17,000 individuals.
Duration: 12 months* of distance learning 4 leadership-focused modules of 12 weeks' duration each Average of 15 hours of study per week
Start date: 24 November 2025
Location: Online
Format: Modular and hybrid
Residential Week: 5 days of face-to-face sessions on Glion/Montreux campus
Credits: ECTS* 60 / US 30
Module 1
New Frontiers in Hospitality
Module 2
Driving Financial Performance
Module 3
Delivering Operational Excellence
Module 4
Leading the Transformation
Module 5
Business Research Project
Executive Master's
*European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System **Business Research Project can be completed up to 15 months from the start of your program.
How your typical study week will look based on 15 hours of study per week
project assignment forums & case studies
self-study, voice overs from faculty & additional materials
recorded live sessions with faculty & peers
Why choose this Executive Master's?
Duration
12 months
Start date
24 November 2025
Language
English
Location
Online, plus one Residential Week in Switzerland
Format
Modular & hybrid
Flexible study
Learn at your own pace
Duration
12 months
Start date
24 November 2025
Language
English
Location
Online, plus one Residential Week in Switzerland
Format
Modular & hybrid
Flexible study
Learn at your own pace
Academic content at a glance
Module 1
CREDITS: ECTS* 12/ US 6
Including 1 Residential Week on Montreux (Glion) campus, Switzerland
New Frontiers in Hospitality
- Disruptive Business Models in Hospitality
- Leadership, Diversity and Intercultural Management
- New Technologies and AI in Hospitality
- Sustainability and Ethics in Hospitality
Module 2
CREDITS: ECTS* 12/ US 6
Driving Financial Performance
- Managerial Accounting and Financial Analysis
- Hospitality Corporate Finance
- Hotel Asset Management and Deal Structuring
- Entrepreneurial Business Strategies
Module 3
CREDITS: ECTS* 12/ US 6
Delivering Operational Excellence
- Strategic Digital Marketing and Sales
- Revenue, Channel and Demand Management
- Managing Hospitality Operations
- Operational Risk Management
Module 4
CREDITS: ECTS* 12/ US 6
Leading the Transformation
- Innovation in the Hospitality Industry
- Real Estate Investments and Finance
- Organizational Behavior and Change Management
- Leadership in Uncertain Times
Module 5
CREDITS: ECTS* 12/ US 6
Business Research Project
- Develop, analyze, and synthesize a business problem
- Establish recommendations to management
- Optional extra time (can be completed up to 15 months from the start of your program)
Residential Week in Switzerland
A unique and exceptional feature of this Executive Master’s sees participants spend a week on campus in the hills above Montreux.
During this carefully-curated Residential Week you will:
- Attend face-to-face classes delivered by graduate faculty members
- Meet with visiting experts
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of leading hotels and other hospitality businesses
- Get to know your fellow participants as you build a strong team dynamic
Residential Week includes:
3.5 days
of courses
0.5 days
of Business Research Project
1 day
business field trip with company & cultural visits
Residential Week in Switzerland
A unique and exceptional feature of this Executive Master’s sees participants spend a week on campus in the hills above Montreux.
During this carefully-curated Residential Week you will:
- Attend face-to-face classes delivered by graduate faculty members
- Meet with visiting experts
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of leading hotels and other hospitality businesses
- Get to know your fellow participants as you build a strong team dynamic
Residential Week includes:
3.5 days
of courses
0.5 days
of Business Research Project
1 day
business field trip with company & cultural visits
DR. MARIJA LAZAREV
Program Director for Executive Master's in Hospitality and Business Leadership
Marija Lazarev is an experienced academic, who has taught tourism-related subjects and mentored PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s dissertations at top higher educational institutions, business schools and universities in Switzerland and France. Formerly part of the Glion faculty for more than a decade, in early 2024 she returned to the school to become Program Director for two leadership-focused programs, including this one. Outside of her teaching and dissertation mentoring roles, Marija also boasts extensive research interests, having earned a summa cum laude for her doctoral thesis. She has been published in academic and professional journals and collaborated on book chapters, as well as presenting at many international conferences.
Course descriptions & expert faculty
Module 1 - New Frontiers in Hospitality
Disruptive Business Models in Hospitality
This course addresses the evolving needs of the hospitality industry and consumer demands. It emphasizes adopting innovative business models and technology-driven solutions to solve systemic issues. The focus is on equipping managers with a strategic mindset to articulate and develop business models incrementally, meeting market changes. It also fosters the ability to create disruptive models that tap into new customer categories. Topics include understanding business structures, exploring various business models, analyzing existing and emerging hospitality models, and developing personal innovation through a presented business model.
Taught by: Mariana Palmeiro
Leadership, Diversity and Intercultural Management
This course equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in managing globalized and diverse teams. The course emphasizes the understanding of cultural differences and their impacton everyday work life. Through enhanced self-awareness and increased sensitivity, curiosity, and cultural knowledge, participants will develop leadership skills. The course covers various topics such as organizational culture, diversity in organizations, emotional and cultural intelligence development, cognitive bias, and the impact of language and generational differences in the workplace.
Taught by: Naida Culshaw
New Technologies and AI in Hospitality
This course examines the influence of digital transformation on the hospitality sector, focusing on the integration of new technologies and data. It delves into big data systems, exploring the opportunities and challenges they present. The course investigates architectural solutions applicable to the hospitality industry for data processing and analytics. Participants learn to evaluate specific data systems and apply data analysis methods to problem-solving in various hospitality contexts. The course covers themes such as emerging digital technologies, AI and Machine Learning, IoT and Smart Hospitality, Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality, Blockchain, and the future of digital technology in the hospitality industry.
Taught by: Maurizio Caon
Sustainability and Ethics in Hospitality
This course focuses on the crucial role of environmental sustainability and ethical considerations in the hospitality industry. It explores how hospitality firms can address pressing environmental and social challenges to ensure long-term competitiveness and survival. The course emphasizes the business case for sustainability in hospitality firms and covers topics such as analyzing the impacts of the industry, identifying stakeholders, understanding sustainability planning and performance metrics, addressing supply chain concerns, and evaluating opportunities for existing or new hospitality businesses.
Taught by: Dr. Jinju Heo
Disruptive Business Models in Hospitality
This course addresses the evolving needs of the hospitality industry and consumer demands. It emphasizes adopting innovative business models and technology-driven solutions to solve systemic issues. The focus is on equipping managers with a strategic mindset to articulate and develop business models incrementally, meeting market changes. It also fosters the ability to create disruptive models that tap into new customer categories. Topics include understanding business structures, exploring various business models, analyzing existing and emerging hospitality models, and developing personal innovation through a presented business model.
Taught by:
Mariana Palmeiro
Leadership, Diversity and Intercultural Management
This course equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in managing globalized and diverse teams. The course emphasizes the understanding of cultural differences and their impact on everyday work life. Through enhanced self-awareness and increased sensitivity, curiosity, and cultural knowledge, participants will develop leadership skills. The course covers various topics such as organizational culture, diversity in organizations, emotional and cultural intelligence development, cognitive bias, and the impact of language and generational differences in the workplace.
Taught by:
Naida Culshaw
New Technologies and AI in Hospitality
This course examines the influence of digital transformation on the hospitality sector, focusing on the integration of new technologies and data. It delves into big data systems, exploring the opportunities and challenges they present. The course investigates architectural solutions applicable to the hospitality industry for data processing and analytics. Participants learn to evaluate specific data systems and apply data analysis methods to problem-solving in various hospitality contexts. The course covers themes such as emerging digital technologies, AI and Machine Learning, IoT and Smart Hospitality, Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality, Blockchain, and the future of digital technology in the hospitality industry.
Taught by:
Dr. Maurizio Caon
Sustainability and Ethics in Hospitality
This course focuses on the crucial role of environmental sustainability and ethical considerations in the hospitality industry. It explores how hospitality firms can address pressing environmental and social challenges to ensure long-term competitiveness and survival. The course emphasizes the business case for sustainability in hospitality firms and covers topics such as analyzing the impacts of the industry, identifying stakeholders, understanding sustainability planning and performance metrics, addressing supply chain concerns, and evaluating opportunities for existing or new hospitality businesses.
Taught by:
Dr. Jinju Heo
Module 2 - Driving Financial Performance
Managerial Accounting and Financial Analysis
This course provides practical accounting knowledge and analytical tools for effective management decision-making in the hospitality industry. Topics covered include responsibility accounting, USALI balance sheet and income statement, statement of cash flow, cost concepts, and cost-volume-profit analysis. By the end of the course, participants will be able to measure and monitor performance in organizations, analyze financial statements specific to the hospitality industry, and evaluate a firm’s financial information within its business and competitive context. The main themes include financial analysis (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement) and managerial accounting (STR Reports, key performance indicators, costs, and CVP).
Taught by: Michalakis Michael
Hospitality Corporate Finance
This course equips participants with the necessary tools to comprehend investment decisions made by corporations in an international context and evaluate their financial feasibility. Through the examination of case studies, participants will learn to assess financial risk, analyze diverse sources and costs of financing, and determine the value of projects. The course also explores the utilization of derivative instruments for hedging financial and operational risks faced by multinational corporations. Key topics covered include free cash flows, time value of money, debt and equity financing, risk and return, cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
Taught by: Jackson Dang
Hotel Asset Management and Deal Structuring
This course focuses on hotel asset management and deal structuring, emphasizing the importance of enhancing value for hotel owners. Participants will gain an understanding of various stakeholder perspectives, business models, and investment opportunities in different contexts. The course provides hands-on experience in simulating the structuring of hotel deals to achieve strategic goals. By the end of the course, participants will comprehend the hospitality industry from an owner’s and investor’s perspective, develop appropriate hotel concepts, critically appraise business models of key stakeholders, understand the hotel development process, and be able to design unique space plans for new hotel concepts.
Taught by: Alex Slors
Entrepreneurial Business Strategies
This course explores building a business model for next-generation hospitality concepts, considering revenue streams, sustainability, and technological evolution. Participants learn future-proofing measures, anticipate operational disruptions during crises, and secure financial resources. The course enables participants to propose entrepreneurial approaches that meet organizational and customer needs responsibly in a dynamic marketplace, covering revenue streams, profitability, business model development, and future proofing.
Taught by: Dr. Stuart Kewley
Managerial Accounting and Financial Analysis
This course provides practical accounting knowledge and analytical tools for effective management decision-making in the hospitality industry. Topics covered include responsibility accounting, USALI balance sheet and income statement, statement of cash flow, cost concepts, and cost-volume- profit analysis. By the end of the course, participants will be able to measure and monitor performance in organizations, analyze financial statements specific to the hospitality industry, and evaluate a firm’s financial information within its business and competitive context. The main themes include financial analysis (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement) and managerial accounting (STR Reports, key performance indicators, costs, and CVP).
Taught by:
Michalakis Michael
Hospitality Corporate Finance
This course equips participants with the necessary tools to comprehend investment decisions made by corporations in an international context and evaluate their financial feasibility. Through the examination of case studies, participants will l earn to assess financial risk, analyze diverse sources and costs of financing, and determine the value of projects. The course also explores the utilization of derivative instruments for hedging financial and operational risks faced by multinational corporations. Key topics covered include free cash flows, time value of money, debt and equity financing, risk and return, cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
Taught by:
Jackson Dang
Hotel Asset Management and Deal Structuring
This course focuses on hotel asset management and deal structuring, emphasizing the importance of enhancing value for hotel owners. Participants will gain an understanding of various stakeholder perspectives, business models, and investment opportunities in different contexts. The course provides hands-on experience in simulating the structuring of hotel deals to achieve strategic goals. By the end of the course, participants will comprehend the hospitality industry from an owner’s and investor’s perspective, develop appropriate hotel concepts, critically appraise business models of key stakeholders, understand the hotel development process, and be able to design unique space plans for new hotel concepts.
Taught by:
Alex Slors
Entrepreneurial Business Strategies
This course explores building a business model for next-generation hospitality concepts, considering revenue streams, sustainability, and technological evolution. Participants learn future-proofing measures, anticipate operational disruptions during crises, and secure financial resources. The course enables participants to propose entrepreneurial approaches that meet organizational and customer needs responsibly in a dynamic marketplace, covering revenue streams, profitability, business model development, and futureproofing.
Taught by:
Dr. Stuart Kewley
Module 3 - Delivering Operational Excellence
Strategic Digital Marketing and Sales
This course explores how digital tools have transformed marketing and selling services in the international hospitality industry. It focuses on anticipating market needs, positioning messages, and utilizing multiple channels. Participants will develop skills to identify challenges and opportunities in a transforming market, adapt marketing approaches to changing consumer expectations, and design innovative sales strategies. The course covers topics such as the impact of digital transformation, effective multichannel sales strategies, and emerging digital tools like AI, VR, AR, and IoT.
Taught by: Andi Islami
Revenue, Channel and Demand Management
This course focuses on optimizing revenue and profitability for service firms, primarily in the hospitality sector. Participants will learn revenue optimization foundations and advanced concepts, including demand forecasting, inventory control, pricing strategies, and channel management. The course aims to improve net revenue by enabling participants to make informed decisions and implement successful revenue management strategies. Key skills include evaluating business opportunities, analyzing historical and future data, balancing short and long-term decisions, and effectively presenting revenue recommendations to senior management. The principles of revenue management will also be applied to other service sectors.
Taught by: Debra Adams
Managing Hospitality Operations
This course focuses on effectively organizing resources and fostering collaboration to enhance customer satisfaction and quality management in the hospitality industry. Participants will learn to assess and recommend operational tools and techniques, with a focus on luxury hospitality. Topics covered include service design and control, hotel performance measurement, labor scheduling, supply chain management, outsourcing, and quality management. The course emphasizes adapting operations to deliver successful luxury experiences. Through case studies and practical applications, participants will gain the skills to optimize guest experiences and apply operational strategies in various contexts.
Taught by: Edouard Louapre
Operational Risk Management
This course introduces participants to risk governance roles and the significance of implementing an operational risk management program in the hospitality industry. It covers key elements of a risk management framework, enabling participants to report and investigate operational risk events, generate KRI data, and implement risk appetite frameworks. The course focuses on developing measurable objectives, assessing risk typologies, applying effective risk frameworks, and exploring organizational and economic mechanisms for risk management in hospitality. By completion, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to build and implement an operational risk assessment program.
Taught by: Dr. Richard Meredith
Strategic Digital Marketing and Sales
This course explores how digital tools have transformed marketing and selling services in the international hospitality industry. It focuses on anticipating market needs, positioning messages, and utilizing multiple channels. Participants will develop skills to identify challenges and opportunities in a transforming market, adapt marketing approaches to changing consumer expectations, and design innovative sales strategies. The course covers topics such as the impact of digital transformation, effective multichannel sales strategies, and emerging digital tools like AI, VR, AR, and IoT.
Taught by:
Andi Islami
Revenue, Channel and Demand Management
This course focuses on optimizing revenue and profitability for service firms, primarily in the hospitality sector. Participants will learn revenue optimization foundations and advanced concepts, including demand forecasting, inventory control, pricing strategies, and channel management. The course aims to improve net revenue by enabling participants to make informed decisions and implement successful revenue management strategies. Key skills include evaluating business opportunities, analyzing historical and future data, balancing short and long-term decisions, and effectively presenting revenue recommendations to senior management. The principles of revenue management will also be applied to other service sectors.
Taught by:
Debra Adams
Managing Hospitality Operations
This course focuses on effectively organizing resources and fostering collaboration to enhance customer satisfaction and quality management in the hospitality industry. Participants will learn to assess and recommend operational tools and techniques, with a focus on luxury hospitality. Topics covered include service design and control, hotel performance measurement, labor scheduling, supply chain management, outsourcing, and quality management. The course emphasizes adapting operations to deliver successful luxury experiences. Through case studies and practical applications, participants will gain the skills to optimize guest experiences and apply operational strategies in various contexts.
Taught by:
Edouard Louapre
Operational Risk Management
This course introduces participants to risk governance roles and the significance of implementing an operational risk management program in the hospitality industry. It covers key elements of a risk management framework, enabling participants to report and investigate operational risk events, generate KRI data, and implement risk appetite frameworks. The course focuses on developing measurable objectives, assessing risk typologies, applying effective risk frameworks, and exploring organizational and economic mechanisms for risk management in hospitality. By completion, participants will possess the knowledge and skills to build and implement an operational risk assessment program.
Taught by:
Dr. Richard Meredith
Module 4 - Leading the Transformation
Innovation in the Hospitality Industry
This course fosters creativity and explores new concepts in hospitality and tourism. Participants review theoretical and applied models of innovation, while developing innovative ideas based on early adoptive industry practices. Key themes covered include idea generation, creativity methods, benchmarking principles, and team development. By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to create and enhance hospitality products/services, critically evaluate creative concepts, and form effective teams.
Taught by: Mariana Palmeiro
Real Estate Investments and Finance
This course focuses on maximizing returns in real estate investments. Participants learn to analyze the four sources of real estate returns: cash flow, appreciation, loan amortization, and tax advantages. They develop an investment scorecard to evaluate new investment opportunities and make informed decisions on holding, selling, refinancing, or renovating properties. The course covers strategies for raising capital and explores successful partnership structures. Participants acquire tools to optimize real estate financial decisions, while learning to determine the timing of cash returns and to calculate the true costs of mortgage loans.
Taught by: Christopher Kusma
Organizational Behavior and Change Management
This course explores theories and research on worker behavior, emphasizing how organizational structure, leadership, and communication influence motivation, conflict resolution, and organizational change. It addresses hospitality industry challenges through case studies and expert insights. Participants will develop skills in managing transformational processes in diverse contexts, evaluating organizational structures and management models, and enhancing collaboration across organizations and markets. Themes include evolving hospitality organizations, change management, biases and decision-making, well-being, and talent management.
Taught by: Dr. Thomas Straub
Leadership in Uncertain Times
This course explores the challenges of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) in industries, with a focus on hospitality. Participants develop solution-oriented leadership skills, evaluating and managing risks in uncertain situations. Key themes include managers as leaders, navigating uncertainty and crises, and driving organizational change. Through real-world cases and dynamic learning, participants learn to tackle complexity, guide teams to effective solutions, and embrace ambiguity while achieving results.
Taught by: Mark Hardie
Innovation in the Hospitality Industry
This course fosters creativity and explores new concepts in hospitality and tourism. Participants review theoretical and applied models of innovation, while developing innovative ideas based on early adoptive industry practices. Key themes covered include idea generation, creativity methods, benchmarking principles, and team development. By the end of the course, participants will have the skills to create and enhance hospitality products/services, critically evaluate creative concepts, and form effective teams.
Taught by:
Mariana Palmeiro
Real Estate Investments and Finance
This course focuses on maximizing returns in real estate investments. Participants learn to analyze the four sources of real estate returns: cash flow, appreciation, loan amortization, and tax advantages. They develop an investment scorecard to evaluate new investment opportunities and make informed decisions on holding, selling, refinancing, or renovating properties. The course covers strategies for raising capital and explores successful partnership structures. Participants acquire tools to optimize real estate financial decisions, while learning to determine the timing of cash returns and to calculate the true costs of mortgage loans.
Taught by:
Christopher Kusma
Organizational Behavior and Change Management
This course explores theories and research on worker behavior, emphasizing how organizational structure, leadership, and communication influence motivation, conflict resolution, and organizational change. It addresses hospitality industry challenges through case studies and expert insights. Participants will develop skills in managing transformational processes in diverse contexts, evaluating organizational structures and management models, and enhancing collaboration across organizations and markets. Themes include evolving hospitality organizations, change management, biases and decision-making, well-being, and talent management.
Taught by:
Dr. Thomas Straub
Leadership in Uncertain Times
This course explores the challenges of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) in industries, with a focus on hospitality. Participants develop solution-oriented leadership skills, evaluating and managing risks in uncertain situations. Key themes include managers as leaders, navigating uncertainty and crises, and driving organizational change. Through real-world cases and dynamic learning, participants learn to tackle complexity, guide teams to effective solutions, and embrace ambiguity while achieving results.
Taught by:
Mark Hardie
Module 5 - Business Research Project
Business Research Project
The Business Research Project is a culminating academic research-based work that forms part of the Executive Master program. One-to-one and group tutoring are held on a regular basis, but the overall emphasis of the course is placed on self-regulated learning and research activities, in collaboration with a selected partner company.
Each learner is required to develop, analyze, synthesize, and discuss a business problem based on one of the major themes and concepts studied during the taught part of the program; the project can also be focused on a diagnostic review for an existing or past organizational problem. Major findings need to be recapitulated, and different possible solutions are drawn with evaluation and syntheses.
Business Research Project
The Business Research Project is a culminating academic research-based work that forms part of the Executive Master program. One-to-one and group tutoring are held on a regular basis, but the overall emphasis of the course is placed on self-regulated learning and research activities, in collaboration with a selected partner company.
Each learner is required to develop, analyze, synthesize, and discuss a business problem based on one of the major themes and concepts studied during the taught part of the program; the project can also be focused on a diagnostic review for an existing or past organizational problem. Major findings need to be recapitulated, and different possible solutions are drawn with evaluation and syntheses.
Important dates
November 2025 intake
Module 1
Start date:
24th November 2025
End date:
27th February 2026
Residential Week in Switzerland:
24th November 2025 (arrival on 23rd) - 28th November 2025 (departure on 29th)
Module 2
Start date:
16th March 2026
End date:
5th June 2026
Module 3
Start date:
22nd June 2026
End date:
11th September 2026
Module 4
Start date:
28th September 2026
End date:
18th December 2026
Module 5 - BRP
Start date:
24th November 2025 (introduction to the BRP happens during Residential Week)
BRP submission date:
27th November 2026
Program entry requirements
for the Executive Master's in Hospitality and Business Leadership
Minimum age
25 years old at the start of the program.
Education
A university degree in any discipline. A specialized diploma in luxury or hospitality will also be considered.
Professional experience
You have demonstrated leadership potential. Ideal candidates will have at least three years’ work experience including managerial experience (direct management or project management).
English language entry requirements
You must be proficient in English. If English is not your first language, or if you have not spent the last two years working in a company where English is the primary language, we can provide you with a bespoke English test; or alternatively you can send a copy of one of the following:
- International English Language Test (IELTS): 6.0 overall
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Internet-based 80 or paper based 550
- First Cambridge Exam: Grade A
- Cambridge Advanced Exam: Grade C
- TOEIC above 600
Your English level will also be assessed during the interview process.
Prepare your application
CV/resume
In a professional CV format, please provide a detailed record of your academic and/or professional background.
Passport(s) copy
Please send a legible copy of your passport(s). Your passport(s) must be valid for six months after the program has started.
Reference letter(s)
You must submit a referral letter of an academic or professional nature.
Academic records
We will require a copy of your university degree. If the degree is not in English, French, German or Italian, an official certified/translated copy in English will be required.
After submitting your application
Interview with the school
Once your application has been received, you will be contacted to schedule a formal interview with a senior member of the Academic team in order for us to understand your reasons for applying, your career plan and to ascertain if you are a suitable candidate for the program. The interview will be similar to a typical job interview.
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