2 days ago
Impactful learning redefining modern leadership
Whatever the trigger, it's rarely about ticking a box. It's about needing new strategies and tools, fresh thinking and problem-solving approaches, and crucially the time to step back and reframe what effective leadership means for you.
IMI's suite of professional diplomas is designed for these moments, giving experienced managers and leaders the space, structure and support to rethink how they work, and what their organisations need from them next.
They're designed for people in demanding roles who need their learning to add immediate organisational value. The programmes are Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications and are accredited by University College Cork (UCC) and are structured to help people solve problems and make better decisions at work with immediate effect.
IMI alumn Dervilla McCann works at Kellanova, the company behind globally recognised brands such as Kellogg's cereals and Pringles, and leads complex commercial negotiations for a multi-million-euro customer contract that spans nine European markets.
'The IMI stood out for its reputation in executive education and its flexible format, which allowed me to balance my studies alongside my professional responsibilities. The programmes offered a rare blend of evidence-based theory and peer-to-peer insight, connecting real-world dilemmas with tested frameworks.
'Ultimately, the IMI experience has helped me sharpen my strategic acumen, develop a more reflective approach to leadership, and build a resilient peer network, all of which continues to shape my impact across international markets.'
Professional diplomas for next-level credibility
IMI's current suite of professional diplomas includes leadership, executive coaching, management, and strategy and innovation. Each one focuses on a specific area of responsibility, but all start with the reality that most leaders are already stretched.
Leadership is for people whose roles now expect influence beyond authority, usually across teams, functions or geographies. It helps participants examine how they lead, where they get in their own way and what needs to shift.
The executive coaching programme is designed for those supporting others in high-stakes, high-change environments, whether formally as coaches or informally as senior leaders. This programme gives participants the structure, self-awareness and discipline to coach with impact.
Management is designed for those managing others, often while still doing the work themselves. It provides practical tools for setting expectations, supporting performance and creating a team environment where people do well and stay well.
Finally, the strategy and innovation diploma is for professionals who are being asked to think ahead, shape direction or challenge the current model. This programme develops the capacity to plan forward with purpose while innovating under pressure.
IMI graduate Fiona Murphy-Gerlich enrolled after leading her team through complex projects and doing it all remotely. 'In 2021, I was thrilled to receive the IMI/30% Club scholarship for the Professional Diploma in Leadership.
'It felt like an invitation to grow: not just in strategic thinking, but in the confidence to drive future finance transformations and was an ideal opportunity to apply classroom learning and strong peer network support to complex real-world examples.
'I didn't expect to come away feeling so personally transformed. I redefined what it meant to embrace ambiguity, and learned that vulnerability and curiosity are true leadership superpowers.
'Since graduation I've continued to grow in my career, navigating complex projects with confidence and strengthening my peer network, such an important aspect of continuous professional education.'
Taught by business leaders
IMI's faculty includes practitioners who have held senior roles across industry, public service and consulting, and who still work in those spaces today. That makes a critical difference. Participants aren't asked to imagine abstract scenarios; they're asked to apply new approaches to the situations they're dealing with right now.
Sessions are discussion-based, not one-way delivery. People come with challenges and leave with ideas, often shaped through dialogue with peers from completely different sectors. The learning comes not just from content, but from being in a room full of other people making tough decisions every day.
McCann said: 'One of my most memorable experiences was the immersive leadership module at Killary Adventure Centre, facilitated by Phillip Matthews, a defining moment that challenged us to apply leadership principles in dynamic, real-time scenarios.'
Murphy-Gerlich added: 'Dr Matthews, our Programme Director, was unforgettable. With his mix of authenticity, high expectations and his background as a former Ireland rugby captain, he pushed us to find and live our own leadership styles. His challenges still guide me when I'm coaching my team across five time zones.
'But it wasn't just the lessons, it was the camaraderie. I still grin at late-night strategy huddles, the laughter amid intense case studies and the pride we felt celebrating each other's breakthroughs. That spirit of courage, connection and continuous learning is what made the experience unforgettable.'
Each professional diploma runs over several months (typically six) in short, intensive modules. The format is designed to give people space to reflect and apply what they learn between sessions, rather than just cramming content into a calendar. There's no unnecessary jargon, just structured learning, relevant feedback and the opportunity to develop with purpose.
Most people don't enrol in a programme like this because they have time or additional capacity — they do it because they're ready. They've hit a point where doing the work isn't enough; it's about doing it better, with more clarity and more conviction.
If that's where you are, IMI's Professional Diplomas are worth a closer look.
The next diploma start dates are as follows:
Professional Diploma in Management: 3rd November
