Melbourne Business School & FEAL Masters Program
A ground-breaking post-graduate program for superannuation Fund Executives
Through lectures and case studies students learn how to lead and manage effective change strategies, improve influencing skills and negotiate agreement with others.
Highlights and the benefits of the FEAL/MBS Masters program can be accessed via this video:
Each module is delivered sequentially at intervals of 4-5 months to enable participants to balance the demands of work and study.
Comprising of 12 customised residential modules, the program has been designed for maximum flexibility to suit the varying needs of busy executives.
Participants can choose to undertake:
Individual modules as stand-alone units
Combine any 4 units and receive a Graduate Certificate in Organisational Leadership
Combine any 8 units and receive a Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership
Complete all 12 units and receive a Master in Organisational Leadership
MBS Students from 2023 Marketing for Fund Executives module at Melbourne Business School
MBS Students from 2024 Managerial Decision Making module at Melbourne Business School held in May
MBS Students from 2023 Advanced Negotiation module at Melbourne Business School
To participate in the MBS program
To take part in this program, you need to be a successful, senior, upper middle manager, general manager or divisional head with an undergraduate degree and at least 8 years experience (including at least 3 years in management). You must be preparing for, or already working in a leadership role and seeking to grow your role and impact as a leader and to consolidate and confirm your experience with a respected qualification.
You will need to enrol with the Melbourne Business School to complete the program. To do this, download and complete an Application Form and return to FEAL with the supporting documentation. Please note new enrolments can take 2-3 weeks for processing.
If you have previously enrolled with Melbourne Business School - either for the FEAL/MBS Masters Program or any other course - you do not need to complete the Application Forum again. Please email Katrina Bacon, CEO, FEAL katrina.bacon@feal.asn.au to advise your intention to complete the next module.
Applicants without a prior degree can apply to the MBS selection committee for special consideration for admission.
If you are interested in participating in one or more modules of the MBS Masters Program, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with details of module enrolments and scholarship opportunities.
Terms and Conditions
All cancellations must be requested in writing. Cancellations from the MBS Program must be received 14 business days prior to the beginning of the course.
Domestic Modules
AUD $6,500
Please note fees include tuition, materials, accommodation and meals.
International Modules
TBC - Estimated AUD14k (includes accommodation & meals), excludes flights
Scholarship opportunity
A scholarship opportunity to attend each module of the program in 2025 will be available.
FEAL MBS Student testimonials
Katrina McPhee, Aware Super
“Winning the FEAL MBS scholarship has been an exceptional experience for me. The opportunity to attend the Managerial Decision Making course in May was invaluable. The course itself was a treasure trove of knowledge, providing me with deep insights into strategic thinking and effective decision-making processes. These learnings are not just theoretical; they are practical tools that I am excited to bring back to my organisation, where I am confident they will drive significant positive change.
Equally enriching was the chance to engage with industry colleagues throughout the course. The warmth and accommodation extended by my peers created an environment conducive to open discussions and meaningful exchanges. Building these professional relationships has broadened my perspective and created meaningful connections for me within the industry.
FEAL's dedication to nurturing talent and fostering industry excellence is truly appreciated. The support and opportunities they provide, such as this scholarship, are instrumental in shaping the future leaders of our industry. I am deeply grateful for the experience and look forward to applying the invaluable insights I've gained.”
Brad Morcombe, Hostplus
“Enrolling in the FEAL MBS Masters program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The curriculum is meticulously designed to foster leadership qualities, with content that challenge us to think strategically and make impactful decisions in real-world scenarios.
You have access to world class professors who are genuinely invested in your success and empower you to become the best version of yourself. The program’s emphasis on practical leadership exercises, such as team projects and participating in leadership workshops, has significantly enhanced my ability to lead effectively.
One of the standout aspects of the program is collaborating with your industry peers. This has broadened my perspective and taught me the importance of inclusive leadership. The program encourages us to lead with empathy, integrity, and a global mindset. The opportunity to work with an amazing cohort of people throughout the six years has not only provided valuable knowledge but gifted me lifelong friends and memories.
Overall, the FEAL Masters program has not only equipped me with the knowledge and skills to excel in my career but also instilled in me the confidence to lead with purpose and vision. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and have an amazing life experience.”
Shaun Westwood, Cbus Super
“The FEAL Masters of Organisational Leadership program delivered in partnership with the Melbourne Business School was a story of three ‘halves’ for me, as it offered so much more than other post-graduate study I’d previously started:
· It enriched my professional experience with the academic insights of a world-class institution.
· Intensive five-day periods of study removed many of the blockers I faced when trying to add school to an already full plate at work and home.
· Studying with a roomful of like-minded yet diverse group of industry leaders ensured every subject was brought out of the classroom and into the boardroom.
It was amazing experience for me. And nestled qualifications meant I could have stopped at 4 or 8 subjects and receive a post-grad qualification, but I stayed on and thoroughly enjoyed the full 12-subject program.
Adam Nettheim, CSC
“I had the privilege of attending the FEAL Masters Program in 2023 and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any superannuation fund executive seeking professional development. This ground-breaking post-graduate program, offered in collaboration with the Melbourne Business School provides a comprehensive learning experience that equips participants with essential skills for effective leadership in our industry. Core to this was the engagement and openness of the industry professionals I met throughout the course who, along with our tutors, tested my thinking and exposed me to new ideals.”
Adrian Gervasoni, Industry Fund Services
“Never before has our industry needed an organisation such as FEAL whose sole focus is the professional development of our leaders. Through my experience with the FEAL MBS Masters program I was able to draw upon world class academia, but importantly work with industry peers to apply learnings to real world scenarios. At a time when we need reflective, brave and increasingly capable leaders, FEAL has never been more important to us.”
Brnic Van Wyk, ART
“This has been an amazing professional development opportunity. It has brought together key players in the industry. A course customised to the super industry, customised to the students.”
Kelly Smith, HESTA
“The FEAL Masters of Organisational Leadership with Melbourne Business School brings modern and emerging executive leadership to the forefront in a very pragmatic and well-rounded way. My experience of the supported learning, practical application, coaching and creating a safe (and fun) environment with industry peers to explore, test, challenge and learn has been of significant value in continuing to develop as an executive leader. Could not recommend highly enough.”
Arpie Tchilinguirian, HESTA
“The FEAL MBS Masters program provides a unique opportunity for ongoing professional development through leading business schools. It is an exceptional experience to study and connect with leaders in our industry, exchange insights and consider practical applications for the future.”
Lisa Samuels, HESTA
“The FEAL MBS course teaches world’s best practice concepts whilst ensuring this theory is approached at a practical level through group discussions with industry peers.
I would highly recommend this course — it has expanded my thinking regarding leadership and management principles.”
The MBS Syllabus
Program Modules
Managing Human Capital (INSEAD) May 2025
This subject examines critical strategic principles related to the management of human capital. It is designed from the perspective of providing business professionals from all functional domains the skills needed to gain maximum productivity from a diverse workforce. It focuses on basic principles for managing people effectively such as:
strategic management of human capital recruitment, planning, and selection strategies
performance management, feedback and discipline
using compensation and incentives to motivate superior performance
Mergers and Acquisitions September 2025
This subject examines the history of, and reasons for, merger & acquisition activity providing a rationale for the study of the following elements of the process of merger:
the search for and evaluation of strategic targets
the legal and operational due diligence processes
offensive and defensive M&A tactics by both acquirers and targets
valuation and financing of acquisitions and the importance of post-deal integration
Finance and Strategy May 2026
Finance and Strategy discusses the major financial challenges faced by organisations: Financing growth; evaluating investment projects; managing risk and managing working capital. The best set of financial policies to integrate finance with group strategy in for-profit and for-member organisations is developed in a framework that is rigorous but light on maths.
Brand Management September 2026
The key themes underpinning the module include understanding and managing brand equity, looking at various research and valuation methods, developing a strategic approach to building brands and reviewing and improving the brand architecture of funds.
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics module is designed for managers and leaders who wish to learn how data analytics can transform their decision-making. Organisations have huge volume of data, but most can only leverage a fraction of the full potential of their data. This module explores the strategic opportunities presented by data, shifts the mindsets of participants to become more data-based, and provides some essential tools in obtaining insight from data.
The Authentic Leader - Leadership of Self and Teams
This subject builds insight into personal leadership style and uses this to enhance impact and effectiveness. Drawing on organisational behaviour theory students will explore individual personality differences, factors influencing motivation and job satisfaction and successful communication in the workplace.
Leading Change in the Financial Services Industry
Successful organisations constantly innovate, adjust quickly to new business conditions, and seize emerging opportunities. These organisations are created by leaders who are capable of meeting the difficult challenge of implementing effective change. Through lectures, case studies and innovative case-in-point methodologies this course will develop practical approaches to leading effective change.
Strategic Planning for Fund Executives (London Business School)
This program will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of both the theory and application of strategic management tools and principles. Through lectures, case studies and practical exercises, students will discover no-nonsense approaches to developing and implementing strategy. Participants will learn how to apply models and frameworks to challenge their traditional thinking, improve their own decision making processes and deliver better outcomes for their organisations.
Advanced Negotiation for Fund Executives
In this module students will learn how to lead and manage effective change strategies, improve their influencing skills and negotiate agreement with others. Participants will gain a powerful strategic framework to negotiate successfully and be more influential leaders in their personal and professional lives. This includes strategies to influence others, ways to deal with conflict and cultural diversity and powerful approaches to leadership and managing change.
Marketing for Fund Executives
This module will lead participants to discover how to gain and sustain a leadership position by creating value for customers. The program will challenge assumptions about optimal segmentation, targeting and value propositions. Participants will acquire a powerful framework for delivering alternative marketing strategies. This includes identifying opportunities to create and sustain customer value, deliver long term organisational growth and to harness e-business tools and online media solutions to drive customer loyalty.
Managerial Decision Making
This subject is based on state-of-the-art neurobiological research that sheds light on the obstacles we face when making decisions. By discovering the roots of many of these difficulties we can also learn solutions to the problems created by our biological history.
Neurobiology and Neuroanatomy
Judgemental biases: Framing, Priming and Anchoring
Expectations and stereotypes – when is the gut feeling right?
MANAGEMENT AND ETHICS
Participants will develop a fuller understanding of the management task, including legal, ethical and moral obligations and interrogate their own values on a range of managerial issues:
Gain an understanding of the meaning of moral concepts in the management context, such as integrity, courage and virtue, and broaden moral vocabulary
Explore the ethical issues involved in areas including managing international businesses, environmental and crisis management
Identify and evaluate applications and strategies for enhancing ethics in the workplace
London Business School
Twenty one students from across Australian financial services enjoyed a week studying Strategy at London Business School as part of the FEAL Masters program.
2024 MBS Graduates
2023 MBS Graduates
2022 MBS Graduates