Human Resources

Strategic HR for Executives

People are central to every strategy, yet HR is often treated as an administrative function. This course helps executives and senior HR leaders align people strategy with business strategy: workforce capability, culture, leadership, organisation design, reward and HR operating models that support growth and transformation.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Strategies fail without the right people and culture. You will learn to make people strategy a driver of business performance.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Executive case studies, strategy alignment workshops, HR operating model exercises and peer discussion.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Link people strategy to business strategy
Identify critical workforce capabilities
Shape culture and leadership priorities
Design effective HR operating models
Use people data for strategic decisions
Lead HR transformation

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

HR directors and CHROs
Senior executives
General managers
HR business partner leaders
Board members

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Strategic alignment
Capability planning
Culture leadership
Operating model design
People analytics

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1People and Strategy

09:00–10:08HR’s strategic role
10:08–11:00Strategy-to-people linkage
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Strategy-to-people linkage (continued)
11:45–12:53Case study
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Capabilities and Workforce

09:00–10:08Critical capabilities
10:08–11:00Build, buy, borrow
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Build, buy, borrow (continued)
11:45–12:53Workforce scenarios
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Culture and Leadership

09:00–10:08Culture diagnosis
10:08–11:00Leadership pipeline
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Leadership pipeline (continued)
11:45–12:53Change
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4HR Operating Model

09:00–10:08Business partners, centres of expertise and services
10:08–11:00Technology
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Technology (continued)
11:45–12:53Cost
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Leading HR Transformation

09:00–10:08Priorities
10:08–11:00Metrics
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Metrics (continued)
11:45–12:53Stakeholders
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.