Public affairs management
Influencing decision-making processes by strengthening your public affairs function
Today's regulatory environment is becoming increasingly complex and fast-changing, prompting a growing number of organizations to establish or expand dedicated Public Affairs functions.
Professionals leading these functions often bring strong expertise in regulation and public policy but have had fewer opportunities to develop the strategic and managerial capabilities needed to align Public Affairs with broader business objectives.
This program is designed to bridge that gap by helping participants become fluent in both the language of Public Affairs and the language of business, enabling them to position the function as a strategic driver of organizational value.
Specifically, this program will enable you to:
- Understand why the Public Affairs function is playing an increasingly strategic role in value creation within a more complex and rapidly evolving institutional environment.
- Plan Public Affairs activities in alignment with both the public policy cycle and the organization's strategic priorities.
- Develop an effective Public Affairs strategy by identifying the right mix of stakeholders, engagement tools, and organizational capabilities.
- Manage regulatory risk as a source of competitive advantage.
- Make informed decisions about building internal capabilities versus engaging external advisors, defining organizational models, hiring strategies, and investment priorities.
- Build effective relationships with business and industry associations.
- Develop meaningful metrics to assess the performance and impact of the Public Affairs function.
- Communicate effectively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams using a shared managerial language that goes beyond a purely regulatory or policy perspective.
- Learn from the experience of senior executives leading Public Affairs in complex organizations through faculty-led discussions and executive guest speakers.
Is this program right for you?
This program is designed for professionals working in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Affairs, Corporate Communications, External Relations, and Sustainability who want to develop a more strategic approach to planning and managing Public Affairs activities. It is also intended for startup founders seeking to leverage regulatory innovation as a source of competitive advantage.
The program is designed to equip participants with the capabilities needed to lead the Public Affairs function in ways that create measurable business value. It is therefore particularly suited to professionals aspiring to take on greater managerial responsibility, rather than those at the very beginning of their careers.
Connect with our advisors
Learning is never linear. It takes shape over time, combining specific learning needs with practical tools matched to your own challenges.
Talk to our team of Program Advisors to identify the path that best fits your goals and find out how to build a broader development plan through the SDA Bocconi Executive Education Certificate.
Get in touch with Patrizia Trivellato
SDA Bocconi Executive Education Certificate
Your initial conversation with our Program Advisors helps shape your path, clarifying your goals and participation options. It is also the required first step toward earning the Executive Education Certificate.
The SDA Bocconi Executive Education Certificate is the formal recognition awarded upon completion of a learning plan designed around your managerial needs. With the Certificate, every program you attend becomes part of a broader design, built on your growth objectives.
What you will learn
The program consists of 2,5 days totaling 20 equivalent hours and is built on 2 pillars:
How you will learn
Business Cases
Real business situations that enable participants to explore specific managerial challenges by analyzing strategic decisions and the growth path of an organization.
Guest Speakers
Opportunities to exchange ideas and perspectives with managers and entrepreneurs, gaining first-hand insights into business challenges and leadership experiences. Sessions may take place either in the classroom or at the guest company's premises.
Self-assessment
An activity that enables participants to evaluate their performance across selected dimensions, increasing awareness of their strengths and areas for improvement.
With us, the program becomes reality
The Program Management team supports participants from enrollment through to the end of the program, coordinating and managing every organizational aspect.
SDA Bocconi Campus - Roma
Information
Location
SDA Bocconi School of Management
Via Nibby 20, 00161 RomaBy attending at least 80% of the classes, you will receive a Certificate of Participation and a digital badge to share with your network on LinkedIn.
Fees
€ 2.000 + VAT
The fee is exclusive of VAT.
Contacts
Program Advisor
Patrizia Trivellato
tel. +39 02 5836 6605
patrizia.trivellato@sdabocconi.itProgram Manager
Sofia Basile
tel. +39 02 5836 6605
sofia.basile@sdabocconi.it
Special payment terms
Bocconi Alumni
Bocconi Alumni are entitled to a 20% reduction on participation fees. To take advantage of the discount, please enter your Alumnus status when registering by indicating “ALUMNI 20” in the notes section. Remember that without this indication, the discount will not be applicable.
Women are good for business
To foster and contribute to women’s professional development, SDA Bocconi School of Management offers them until 8 March 2028 a 20% discount on the participation fee for all Executive Open Programs and Executive Online Programs.
Multiple enrollments
Companies, institutions and public bodies that enroll at least 3 participants in a single program are granted a 20% discount for each registration fee. The concession is not applicable for personal enrollment and must be formalized by the start date of the course.
Corporate education programs
In the case of learning needs involving several resources of the same company enrolled in more than one program, it is possible to define a customized plan from the specific needs of the organization. In this case, our Program Advisors are available to build with the client organizations ad hoc training plans with special pricing.
Partnerships and channel agreements
SDA Bocconi offers the possibility to initiate collaborations that allow them to expand the portfolio of educational trainings to be offered to their members. In this case, the School is available to evaluate partnerships and channel agreements so as to respond in a timely manner to the specific needs of the organization.
By attending at least 80% of the classes, you will receive a certificate of participation in the program and a digital badge to share with your network on LinkedIn.
The Zangrillo Directive
The Zangrillo Directive requires 40 hours of training. We help you make the most of them.
- Meet training requirements in full compliance with the Directive
- Build a learning journey that creates impact and delivers public value
- Develop managerial capabilities, not just technical skills
- Immediately apply what you learn within your organization
- Improve performance, streamline processes, and drive innovation
The Zangrillo Directive makes 40 hours of training mandatory for public sector employees. We help turn a regulatory requirement into a strategic opportunity.
With SDA Bocconi programs for public sector professionals, you can:
Upon request, participants may take a post-program assessment at the end of the course to verify the competencies acquired. Successful completion of the assessment entitles participants to receive a certificate attesting the positive outcome of the training, in compliance with the Zangrillo Directive of 16 January 2025.
Download the brochure and discover how to turn the 40 hours required by the Zangrillo Directive into tangible value.
The brochure walks you through the program and the SDA Bocconi experience. Inside you'll find:
The full calendar
The application process
Participant stories
The campus experience
