In this interview, Julien Malaurent, Deputy Managing Director of ESSEC Business School, reflects on his unique career path and his commitment to digital transformation and post-experience programs. With international experience and a strong interest in the impact of technology, he shares his ambitions for the school, his approach to leadership, and the challenges facing a rapidly evolving sector. Through educational innovations and a strategic vision, discover how he plans to elevate ESSEC globally by integrating current issues such as artificial intelligence and sustainability.
Responding to the Challenges of Tomorrow: An Interview with Julien Malaurent, Deputy Managing Director of ESSEC
8.11.2024
Can you tell us about your background and what led you to join ESSEC?
I began my career as a computer engineer, which took me to China for several years as a consultant. It was during this time that I developed an interest in how information systems are adopted in multicultural contexts. I further explored this topic by pursuing a PhD at ESSEC from 2007 to 2011, focusing on information system bypass strategies in multinational corporations. Since 2013, I have been a professor and researcher at ESSEC, and in 2019, I launched the Executive Master in Digital Transformation, the school’s first fully online program. In 2021, along with Guillaume Chevillon, I co-founded Metalab, a key strategic initiative for ESSEC aimed at training students and professionals in AI. We also work on research projects and contribute to public discussions on technology development through events and studies for organizations like the OECD and AMCHAM.
What are your main goals as Deputy Managing Director in charge of Post-Experience Programs and Corporate Relations at ESSEC?
My main goal is to develop a portfolio of impactful training programs that are tailored to a rapidly changing society. This is being realized through the imminent launch of two major programs: a hybrid EMBA, with 30% in-residence (Paris, Hong Kong, Cape Town) and 70% online, and an Executive Master in Sustainable Strategies, fully online. We are also introducing shorter programs for C-suite executives, focusing on AI and decarbonization. In addition, we are strengthening our "Custom" programs to meet the specific needs of businesses, incorporating educational innovations and research from our international, interdisciplinary faculty.
How do you balance your passion for research on digital transformation with your leadership responsibilities at ESSEC?
It’s a pleasure to see that the topics I’m passionate about—AI, data, and technology—are at the heart of our school’s strategic development. It’s also a collective journey: we bring together academic knowledge and the experience of practitioners to enrich our programs and prepare our participants for the challenges of tomorrow. Collective action is essential, as is the openness to interdisciplinary approaches.
Quels défis majeurs anticipez-vous dans votre nouveau rôle, et comment prévoyez-vous de les surmonter ?
Le plus grand défi est d’anticiper la rapidité d’évolution des besoins en formation. Nous devons dès aujourd’hui identifier les thématiques clés pour les cinq prochaines années pour garantir la pertinence de nos programmes. Il n’est pas toujours aisé de concilier les attentes du marché avec les processus d’accréditation, mais je peux compter sur une équipe dynamique de 115 collaborateurs. Un autre enjeu est de proposer des formations qui équilibrent transversalité et expertise académique pour que nos participants puissent comprendre la complexité actuelle tout en renforçant leurs compétences spécifiques.
If you had a superpower for a day, which one would you choose and what would you do with it?
I would choose the ability to instantly read all the books I accumulate and then gather my friends and colleagues for a good meal to discuss them. I enjoy moments of deep immersion in specific topics, but I also value exchanges and encounters, no matter how diverse they may be.
