
Chartered Director Program
SIGNATURE DIRECTORS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Chartered Director program provided me with a solid foundation in governance that built my confidence to comprehensively serve as a director. The exceptional content and educational process enhanced my curiosity, courage and ability to ask the right questions on crown, non-profit and corporate boards.
—Victor T. Thomas, C.Dir., H.R.C.C.C., Vice-President, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
- Our signature Chartered Director (C.Dir.) program is residential, maximizing your opportunities to network and learn among peers.
- Modules are varied and engaging, combining lectures, interactive working sessions, and case studies.
- The Board Simulation, which is completely unique to The Directors College, includes professional actors to help you apply the lessons learned in lifelike simulations.
- Flexible programming, as Modules 1–4 do not need to be taken in sequence.
- The C.Dir. Board Director Education program is a globally recognized, university-accredited professional designation.
- Modules offered residentially and virtually
Modules
You’ll learn how governance is defined, rules and practices, and the characteristics of effective directors and high performing boards, as well as valuable communication strategies for group interaction. This module uses case studies and role-play simulations with actors to help you explore constructive solutions to challenging board situations.
In summary:
- Understand the roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of the board as a whole—the chairperson, management, and committees.
- Learn about the different models, theories, and principles of governance.
- Understand the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of boards and directors, and how to recognize indications of fraudulent activities.
- Discuss board and director independence.
- Learn how to contribute, encourage, and benefit from independent thought and effective dialogue.
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This module will help you hone your strategic thinking skills, understand the difference between strategic planning and operational effectiveness, and develop your own strategic leadership style that fosters planning, measurement, accountability, and communication. You’ll learn how to evaluate and set effective board and director expectations, plan CEO succession, and balance stakeholder relationships. You’ll also review strategic planning for risk governance and compensation committees and learn how design thinking can be a useful tool for the board.
In summary:
- Learn how to collaborate with management to establish a clear, deliverable corporate strategy in that all board decisions can be anchored to.
- Understand the type of information that boards require that corporate risks are identified, controlled, mitigated, or translated into opportunities.
- Learn best practices for board evaluation and selecting the best mix of board members who understand the scope and requirements of the job.
- Learn how the board and CEO relationship works, and the value of an effective succession-planning process.
- Understand how the board and human resource/compensation committees work to set appropriate CEO and director compensation.
- Learn how to capitalize on the individual strengths of your board team to tackle problems and issues.
- Learn how to incorporate stakeholder interests into your corporate strategy and operations.
- Learn how to introduce design thinking into the boardroom and practice some of the principles learned over the course of the module.
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You’ll learn how to measure performance and align strategic objectives with financial results and overall success. We’ll explore board performance scorecards, as well as the details of internal audits, including the relationships and roles of the audit committee, the internal auditor and the management team. We’ll also cover risk oversight, learning from past governance failures and anticipating future governance challenges. You’ll see how board directors can oversee the performance of the corporation and its management team.
In summary:
- Discover what is meant by financial literacy, what director need to know, and the key financial accounting, statements, and ratios relevant to the oversight work of the board.
- Learn how to access and assess financial information using accounting principles and financial/non-financial performance indicators.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the board and the audit committee, the internal auditor, and the external auditor, and the relationships between them.
- Clarify key questions directors can ask about risk, enterprise risk management, and cyber security in their board’s oversight role.
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(formerly Communication and Social Responsibility)
This module focuses on overcoming “knowing-doing” gaps in board performance—why we often fail to do what we know is best practice. You’ll explore trending situations that require new approaches to governance in areas such as purpose governance, environment, social governance (ESG), innovation governance and ethical decision-making. You’ll reflect on your own emotional skills as you address governance cases dealing with reputation and crisis management.
In summary:
- Learn how emotional intelligence affects board behaviour and functioning.
- Understand the link between governance and purpose, sustainability and innovation.
- Learn why boards directors should think like activist investors.
- Discover how directors/boards can add an ethical perspective to their decision-making process.
- Understand how board meetings can be efficient, effective, and accomplish set objectives.
- Find out what directors need to know about corporate communication, disclosure, crisis identification and management, and reputation management.
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Unique to The Directors College, this final module lets you experience realistic board situations, complete with professional actors to bring the simulation to life. Our alumni rate this module as the highlight of the program, providing a dynamic opportunity to bring together all the lessons and behavioural strategies you’ve learned throughout the four previous modules.
In summary:
- Put into practice all your experiences and lessons from the previous four modules.
- Participate as a board member at board and committee meetings as you experience a “day on the board” of our simulated corporation.
- Gain personal insight on how your board behaviour, and that of others, affects board processes and productivity.
- Evaluate other participants and provide valuable feedback.
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Who Qualifies for the Chartered Director Program
Candidates for the C.Dir. program would have:
- senior level/executive experience
- board experience
- university degree
The program is designed for those currently sitting on boards, senior executives who intend to serve on a board, and those who work with boards of directors. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are suitable candidates for the C.Dir. designation.
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Registration Fees and Payment
Virtual Registration fee: The fee for 2023 is $4,370 per module and includes all sessions over the 3¼-day period, all program materials, networking, introduction to coaching, support tools, and the proctored exam.
In-Person Registration fee: The fee for 2023 is $4,970 per module and includes all sessions over the 2¼-day period, hotel accommodation for two nights, all meals, all program materials, networking, introduction to coaching, support tools, and the proctored exam.
Payment must be received at least 30 days prior to the start of the module.
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Timeline: It is a total of 125 hours to complete all five modules. You must register for Modules 1-4 before you are able to select Module 5 – The Board Simulation. Modules must be completed within 18 months. Once complete, delegates have 14 months to successfully write the exam to receive their Chartered Director (C.Dir.) Designation.
Tax Note: All accredited Directors College programs qualify participants for a tax tuition receipt.
Fee Updates: Please note that module fees will increase for 2024 modules to $4,480 per module for Virtual delivery and $5,280 per module for In-Person sessions.
Reciprocal Designation
- Learn more about our Reciprocal Designation with Laval University.
C.Dir. Module Dates
THE CHARTERED DIRECTOR PROGRAM CALENDAR
2023
Start with any Module 1-4
Module 1
Accountability and Change
- January 11–14
Virtual
Completed
- February 23–25
In-Person
Completed
- September 13–16
Virtual
Full/Waitlist
Module 2
Leadership and Strategy
- February 1–4
Virtual
Completed
- April 27–29
In-Person
Completed
- September 28–30
Virtual
Full/Waitlist
Module 3
Oversight and Finance
- March 23–25
Virtual
Completed
- June 8–10
In-Person
Completed
- October 26–28
Virtual
Full/Waitlist
Module 4
Governing Under Complex Circumstances
- April 13–15
Virtual
Completed
- October 12–14
In-Person
Full/Waitlist
- November 9–11
Virtual
Full/Waitlist
Module 5
The Board Simulation
- May 17–20
Virtual
Completed
- November 23–25
In-Person
Full/Waitlist
- December 6–9
Virtual
Limited Availability
2024
Start with any Module 1-4
Module 1
Accountability and Change
- January 10–13
Virtual
- February 22–24
In-Person
- September 11–14
Virtual
Module 2
Module 3
Oversight and Finance
- March 21–23
Virtual
- June 6–8
In-Person
- October 31–November 2
Virtual
Module 4
Governing Under Complex Circumstances
- April 11–13
Virtual
- October 3–5
In-Person
- November 14–16
Virtual
Module 5
Virtual module sessions will run from 5:00pm EDT on Wednesday until 5:00pm EDT on Saturday, with the exception of Module 3 and Module 4, which begin at 10am EDT on Thursday. In-person module sessions will run from 3:00pm EDT on Thursday until 5:00pm EDT on Saturday. Timing is subject to slight changes.
For more information, please contact us at thedirectorscollege@mcmaster.ca