Master in Talent Development & Human Resources
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BEYOND TRADITIONAL HR: TRANSFORMING TALENT MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
In today’s fast-moving business landscape, HR isn’t just about managing people: it’s about identifying and nurturing talent and ensuring the right people are in the right roles. For your organization to stay competitive and achieve excellence, people, culture and ethics must be at the heart of business transformation.
The groundbreaking Master in Talent Development & Human Resources gives ambitious professionals the tools and techniques to drive workplace transformation. It uses the latest cutting-edge technologies and practical, project-based experiences to ensure graduates get a head start in their HR careers.
- A 10-month, full-time program structured around three core pillars: Strategic Business Insights, People Management Skills, and HR and AI Technology Knowledge
- Modules including Well-being in Practice, Risk, Ethics and Compliance and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion retain a sharp focus on every organization’s most valuable asset: its people
- Meanwhile specialized courses and workshops such as People Analytics; Corporate and Fitness Engagement Tools: Measurement and Impact; and HR in the Metaverse and Extended Reality, prepare you to leverage technology for enhanced decision-making and develop impactful HR strategy
- Additional career-boosting certifications available: our groundbreaking Sustainability Certificate, MyFutureAcademy certificates Storytelling with Data in HR and How to Manage Stakeholders in People Analytics, and the prestigious SalesForce certificate, make you extremely attractive to recruiters
WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM UNIQUE...
Two key aspects define the unique nature of IE Business School’s Master in Talent Development & Human Resources: practical learning, and technology. Delivered through project-based experiences with leading companies such as Deloitte, Zurich, and MetLife, the program's hands-on nature ensures graduates are fully equipped for the challenges of the professional landscape. Students are assigned one client project each term, offering vital insight into real-world situations and an opportunity to network with key industry figures.
...IS WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Technology is transforming every aspect of business, and HR is no different. That’s why this forward-thinking curriculum focuses on both industry trends and the latest ways to integrate technology into HR practices. Specialized courses and workshops such as People Analytics; Corporate and Fitness Engagement Tools: Measurement and Impact; and HR in the Metaverse and Extended Reality will equip students with the up-to-the-minute skills needed to leverage technology for enhanced decision making and the development of impactful HR strategy.
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Overview
WHO IS THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES RIGHT FOR?
IT’S FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO…
…are forward-thinking change-makers, passionate about leading workplace transformation centered on people and organizational culture.
ARE LOOKING FOR…
…a curated blend of theoretical and practical learning. The program gives you the cutting-edge skills and digital capabilities that recruiters seek, across the key areas of strategic thinking, people management and HR technology. Graduates can go on to high-profile roles such as talent development manager, organizational development consultant, people analytics specialist, workplace well-being manager, HR technology specialist, diversity and inclusion manager, and many more.
KEY AREAS OF THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES
Strategic Business Insights
People Management Skills
HR & AI Technology Knowledge
REASONS TO STUDY THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES
- 01.
PRACTICAL, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Get hands-on experience working on real projects with top companies such as Deloitte, Zurich, and Santander, so that you graduate fully equipped for the demands of the job market.
- 02.
BEST-IN-CLASS EXPERTISE
Learn from the best: our expert faculty are not only first-class academics, but also have a wealth of industry experience in positions at leading companies including McKinsey, MetLife and Tesla.
- 03.
A SKILL SET IN HIGH DEMAND
In the United States alone, the demand for HR specialists is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. And the global market for HR managers is forecast to reach $62.6 billion by 2030, up from $29.1 billion in 2022.
- 04.
A FUTURE-FORWARD OUTLOOK
We prepare you not just for the world of work, but for long-term success: we’ll help you understand what you want and how you define success, then shape an educational journey to the next best you. We’ll empower you to get there, supported by a lifelong global alumni network of ambitious professionals.
CLASS PROFILE
- Academic Background (%)Business (Marketing, Finance, Accounting)Social Sciences (Psychology, Intl Relations)LawOther (Agribusiness, Hospitality)
- Regions Represented (%)Asia PacificLatin AmericaNorth AmericaEuropeMiddle East & AfricaSpain
- Gender (%)FemaleMale
- 18nationalities
- 26average age
Program structure
- Description
- Orientation
- TERMS
- MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PROGRAM
- CAREER-BOOSTING CERTIFICATES
- first term3 months
- second term3 months
- third term3 months
- GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK
- SOCIAL IMPACT WEEK
- HR EXPERT SPEAKER SERIES
- DUAL DEGREES
The Master in Talent Development and Human Resources is a 10-month program divided into three terms, each addressing key areas of knowledge and skills you need for the program journey.
Through this program, you will become a Human Resources professional who is both a world-class people strategist and a valuable resource in the pursuit of an organization’s business needs. Discover how to leverage data and emerging technologies to unlock human potential, reinforcing your team’s sense of purpose by developing their skills and focusing on their well-being.
Your journey to HR success begins with Orientation Week—your introduction to your new community. Apart from getting to know the Vice Dean, the program’s academic director and its management team, you’ll take a tour around the cutting-edge facilities that will become your new home. Team-building exercises will bring you closer to your new colleagues in the Social Impact Adventure, and you’ll learn about the entire IE Business School ecosystem, from the Career Accelerator—where you’ll take the first steps toward the next best you—to the myriad labs, clubs, awards and other activities going on at the school.
Alongside the comprehensive and cutting-edge content of the program itself, you’ll also be able to take advantage of additional certifications designed to put you head and shoulders above the competition in the sector’s competitive labor market.
MYHRFUTURE ACADEMY CERTIFICATES
The program features two mandatory certificates from the leading learning platform for HR professionals, myHRfuture Academy. : Storytelling with Data in HR and How to Manage Stakeholders in People Analytics will play a key role in the application of everything you’ve learned in your final project.
SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATE
Designed to maximize your impact in delivering long-lasting, positive change around the world, the Sustainability Certificate takes a solutions-oriented approach to sustainability management within the HR and talent development spheres.
IE-SALESFORCE CERTIFICATE
With this tried-and-tested certification, you’ll demonstrate your place on the cutting edge of business development, using Salesforce to sell ideas, win new clients, expand into new markets and drive corporate growth. You’ll gain a comprehensive overview of CRM platforms and the skills to build effective customer experiences, officially becoming a Salesforce-certified professional upon completion.
Global Immersion Week is a one-week, international experience that allows students to explore new cultures, network with leading companies and acquire valuable career insights. You’ll gain a firsthand look at the career outcomes you can pursue in relevant international business markets, connecting with leading companies in various sectors. Previous collaborative partners have included Google, Ipsos, Amazon, Diageo and the Financial Times.
The optional HR Social Impact Week is your opportunity to participate in purpose-driven projects in Africa’s fastest-growing economies and notable business hubs. In a week-long experience, you’ll meet policymakers and top business leaders in the region, as well as members of the local IE Alumni community. In the past, Social Impact Week destinations have included Ghana and South Africa. Previous students have met the CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and visited top companies such as Access Bank and Innova DDB to see how they operate within the HR world. This is a perfect chance to network, live a unique experience and learn from leading African businesspeople and HR professionals.
Our dynamic masterclasses and panel discussions get you up close and personal with renowned HR executives. Carefully selected speakers visit IE Business School to share their experiences, discuss the professional challenges they encounter and offer leading-edge insights into the future of people and organizations. Themes covered have included Workplace Happiness and Well-being, Redefining Employee Benefits, and Consulting versus In-house Career Paths. This exclusive event series provides a unique opportunity not only to stay ahead of the curve, but to gain invaluable perspectives on the people and trends shaping human resources from inspirational experts at the top of the profession.
Customize your education based on your specific interests and passions through a Dual Degree to give your career a multidisciplinary boost to spearhead change in the new world of work. The combination of this program with a Master in Management degree (if you have 0-3 years of experience) or an International MBA (if you have 4 or more years of experience) will position you on the threshold of two exciting worlds; acquiring a broader skillset and a competitive differentiation with a sharp focus. Select your dual degree based on your years of experience:
In Term 2, the program moves on to an analysis of how technology, automation and digitalization have changed the world of work. Through this deep dive, you’ll master the critical capabilities now needed to succeed in this new reality. Covering everything from the design and application of contemporary best practices and compensation schemes to employee relations and agile methodologies, you’ll also learn to harness the power of coaching to maximize human potential. During the term, you’ll apply your new competencies in a real case exercise.
Through the second term, you’ll dive deeper into the modern-day HR paradigm, addressing the following subjects:
CAREER ACCELERATOR—FIRST TERM
CAREER FORUM—FALL
CORPORATE PROJECT I
DIGITAL WORKPLACE
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
FINANCE FOR HR
HR FUNDAMENTALS
HR IN THE METAVERSE & EXTENDED REALITY
ISA—AI FOR PRODUCTIVITY
ISA—CRITICAL THINKING
ISA—HIGH-PERFORMANCE TEAM BUILDING I
ISA—STORYTELLING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT I
PEOPLE ANALYTICS
RISK, ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE
TALENT MANAGEMENT I
THE FUTURE OF WORK
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
WELL-BEING IN PRACTICE
The program moves on to introduce cultural and workplace dynamic concepts, and moves into more advanced career-related topics. As well as examining the relationship between Human Resources and technology, you’ll learn both self- and talent analysis, and consider the importance that well-being has assumed in the modern workplace.
Through the second term, you’ll dive deeper into the modern-day HR paradigm, addressing the following subjects:
CAREER FORUM—SPRING
CAREER ACCELERATOR—SECOND TERM
CORPORATE COACHING
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION & EMPLOYER BRANDING
CORPORATE PROJECT II
DEFINING YOUR PERSONAL PURPOSE AND TRANSFORMATION
DIGITAL BUSINESS
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
HR OPERATIONS AND SYSTEMS
ISA—HIGH-PERFORMANCE TEAMBUILDING II
ISA—PROBLEM SOLVING
SECOND MEETING WITH ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
NEW LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND AGILE TEAMS
PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
PSYCHOMETRICS
TALENT ACQUISITION
TALENT MANAGEMENT II
TALENT REWARDS
WORKFORCE PLANNING & ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN
The final stage of the program introduces the most advanced topics, addressing some of the most complex issues that may confront an HR professional in a changing world. Concepts such as managing diverse and multigenerational teams, addressing your own preconceptions and psychological elements of human behavior are introduced. Term 3 also features your Final Project, putting everything you’ve learned into practice for a real company.
In the third term, you’ll dig into the intricacies of human behavior in an organizational context through subjects including:
CAREER ACCELERATOR—THIRD TERM
CONSULTING SKILLS
CORPORATE AND FITNESS ENGAGEMENT TOOLS
CULTURE OF ENGAGEMENT AND INNOVATION
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
FINAL CORPORATE PROJECT—PARTS A, B & C
ISA—CREATIVE THINKING
ISA—POWER AND INFLUENCE
LEADING GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT II
MANAGING CHANGE AND BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE
THIRD MEETING WITH ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
MINDFULNESS
ORGANIZATIONAL AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
SUSTAINABILITY AND HR
PROGRAM SPEAKER SERIES
WELL-BEING CULTURE
CLOSING EVENT
*Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.
UNIVERSITY PRIVATE DEGREE
This is a University Private Degree from IE Universidad*. More Information on what earning a University Private Degree from IE Universidad entails.
*IE Universidad is a University officially recognized by the Spanish education authorities, allowed to grant both University Official Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees), which are specifically regulated and accredited by Spanish Ministry of Education and University Private Degrees (Master), that are specifically designed by the University towards the professional application of their studies and the constant update of higher education, preserving the educational standards of excellence of IE. Both types of degrees are equally backed by the rigor and prestige of IE University.
THE NEXT BEST YOU
We recognize that career success is not a destination but a journey, one that evolves in tandem with your skills, goals, and ambitions. That’s why our approach goes beyond education to focus on the next best you. By working with you to gain a deep understanding of the person you are now, your abilities, and your personal and professional goals, we can craft a learning experience tailored to your needs. Then we’ll equip you with the tools and knowledge to become the most impactful professional you can be. It won’t be easy; we’ll challenge you and put you in situations to learn through hard-won experience. But we’ll be there to guide you along the way and help you embed your new capabilities. And as an achiever who’s never satisfied to rest on their laurels, you’ll relish the chance to push your boundaries and grow your skillsets. In short, to become the next best you.
YOUR CAREER
Whether you have a defined view of your professional development, or a straightforward desire to advance along your career path, what unites our graduates is an inner determination to stretch themselves to maximize their potential. We’ll help you identify your motivations and goals, define your objectives, and arm you with the skills to realize them. Our longstanding partnerships with leading firms will ensure you gain the insight needed to overcome real-world challenges, while our focus on technology will place you at the forefront of digital integration into HR practices.
YOUR IMPACT
Knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee professional success. Nor do skills. What sets our graduates apart is the ability to use their learnings and experience to make big things happen – to have impact. That comes down to the thought processes, behaviors, and digital skills that empower you to make a difference. Recruiters prize professionals who can harness the resources at their disposal and galvanize teams to overcome the toughest business challenges. The Master in Talent Development & Human Resources will develop the thinking, behavioral, and digital skills you’ll use to translate your personal transformation into lasting workplace impact.
YOUR PURPOSE
Purpose is about both motivation and fulfillment. It’s what brings meaning to the work you do, and what sustains you in your professional development. We believe that being a modern business professional entails responsibilities – to colleagues, to the community, and to the planet – and that finding your sense of purpose will enable you to embrace those responsibilities wholeheartedly. That’s why it’s our mission to help you define, refine, and align your own unique sense of purpose with your career goals and aspirations, enabling you to effect meaningful change in a way that matters to you. We’re committed to making the world a better place; we want our graduates to lead the next generation of professionals who share our vision.
DUAL DEGREES
DUAL DEGREES
Customize your education based on your specific interests and passions through a Dual Degree to give your career a multidisciplinary boost to spearhead change in the new world of work. The combination of this program with a Master in Management degree (if you have 0-3 years of experience) or an International MBA (if you have 4 or more years of experience) will position you on the threshold of two exciting worlds; acquiring a broader skillset and a competitive differentiation with a sharp focus. Select your dual degree based on your years of experience:
COMBINE IT WITH A MASTER IN MANAGEMENT
Suitable for 0-3 years of experience
COMBINE IT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL MBA
Suitable for more than 3 years of experience
our faculty are here to guide you
OUR ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Itziar Vizcaino is a senior talent and HR leader with over 25 years of broad and diverse experience in different functions, including legal, HR, talent and diversity, equality and inclusion. Itziar has worked in a wide range of industries—consultancy, telecommunications, beauty and financial services—all over the world, including Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Latin America (LATAM) and Asia. She is experienced in leading organizational and cultural transformations and upgrading talent practices, leadership behaviors and employee experiences. Her current role is global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lead for Asia & EMEA, and global DEI lead for Learning & Development, at MetLife.
Itziar is the academic director for the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources at IE University. She is also a professor, teaching DEI and Change Management within the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources. Furthermore, Itziar instructs Human Resources DEI workshops within the Executive Master in Strategic Marketing & Communication, the Master in Business Analytics & Data Science, and several corporate programs. She is also an associate professor at Headspring Executive Development. Itziar received the Best Professor Award in 2018 from IE School of Science & Technology and picked up consecutive Teaching Excellence Awards in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. She is a co-author of Diversity with Inclusion in Organizations, published by Coursera.
Itziar Vizcaino
She holds an Executive Master in Talent Management & Human Resources from IE Business School. She is also a Certified Coach (CPCC) and holds a wide range of certifications, including Change Management (PROSCI), Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies (University of Cambridge, Judge Business School), Learning Agility & viaEDGE (Lominger), and Hogan Assessment (Hogan).
BEST-IN-CLASS EXPERTISE
Students at IE Business school will learn from some of the most renowned HR executives and honorary academics.
From the former Head of Learning and Development at Tesla to the former Global Chief Learning Officer at McKinsey, and the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at MetLife, our students will gain invaluable insight from the sector’s pre-eminent business leaders.
Other Professors that teach in this master’s program are Elizabeth Davies , Nick Van Dam , Wim Fouquet , Carla Szemzo , Aurelio Jimenez , Rocio Bonet , Kenneth Dubin, Christian Hvidbo, Daniel Laya , Neringa Kalpokas, Angel Lopez Jauregui ,… among others.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Based in the heart of the vibrant city of Madrid, the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources is a journey of both personal and professional growth. To learn more about the experiences, opportunities, and connections that will shape your time at IE Business School, watch stories from our students here:
STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
At IE Business School, one of our core goals is to blend expert teaching with practical learning, equipping students for real-world success. Our current students in the Master in Talent Development and Human Resources program are making remarkable strides in their careers, securing prestigious internships and positions at leading global companies. Learn more about their journeys here:
Experience Madrid
Madrid is one of the most popular cities in Europe for Gen Z travelers and one of the most student-friendly cities in Spain, with a great, affordable public transport network, cool underground culture and fabulous nightlife. But Spain’s capital is also home to international companies of stature, including Google, Microsoft and Apple, creating a myriad of opportunities for a fulfilling professional experience. Madrid is in a league of its own and provides the perfect backdrop to round off a unique educational experience.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE NEXT BEST YOU?
The next best you is a fundamental concept at IE Business School. It means we focus on helping you analyze the current you, determine your desired impact as a leader, and give you the skills, mindset, and tools you need to reach your full potential. Our approach is personalized and tailored to each individual student, rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. We offer a range of guidance, options, and support throughout the program to help you identify and refine your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. We provide a wide variety of workshops, mentorships, career advisors, industry connections, and extracurricular activities to help you develop the insight, skills, and abilities you need to succeed. This personalized approach sets IE apart from other leading universities. Not only does it set you up for greater success, but our approach is valued by recruiters seeking graduates who have undergone this transformative process and have received a highly personalized education.
WHAT IS THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES CLASS PROFILE?
The Master in Talent Development & HR is a business program aimed at young professionals who have completed their bachelor's degree. The average student on the program has around 4 years of professional experience, but some of our students will have just graduated with little to no experience in the workplace, while others will have 7+ years of experience. The program is open to students of any academic and/or professional background, to enrich both their experience and the diversity of the class. Our students have an average age of 26 and come from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
CAN I UNDERTAKE THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT AN HR BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE?
Yes, the Master in Talent Development & HR is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any field, regardless of whether they have worked in the HR sector before. This helps enrich the program experience and class diversity.
WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES?
The Master in Talent Development & HR is a full-time, 10-month program taught in Madrid, that starts in September (finishing in July).
WHAT IS THE MASTER IN TALENT DEVELOPMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES STRUCTURE?
The Master in Talent Development & HR is structured into three different periods: the first runs from September-December, the second January-March, and the third April-July.