Abstrak Program Doktor Manajemen Pendidikan Islam (MPI) UIN Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi menghadapi tantangan dalam meningkatkan mutu akademik, produktivitas riset, dan ketuntasan studi, terutama di tengah tuntutan pendidikan tinggi yang berubah cepat. Permasalahan tersebut menuntut model kepemimpinan yang mampu menggerakkan, memberdayakan, dan memberi arah strategis bagi seluruh sivitas akademika. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis penerapan kepemimpinan transformasional dalam pengelolaan Program Doktor MPI serta kontribusinya terhadap peningkatan kualitas program. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus, melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi partisipatif, dan studi dokumentasi. Analisis data mengikuti model Miles, Huberman, dan Saldaña. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa empat dimensi kepemimpinan transformasional, visi inspiratif, pengaruh ideal, stimulasi intelektual, dan perhatian individual, terimplementasi secara konsisten dan berdampak pada peningkatan budaya riset, efektivitas bimbingan, kolaborasi akademik, serta pencapaian akreditasi unggul. Nilai-nilai keislaman seperti amanah dan musyawarah turut memperkuat praktik kepemimpinan. Penelitian menyarankan penguatan sistem bimbingan personal, perluasan jejaring riset internasional, dan pengembangan kurikulum interdisipliner untuk mendukung keberlanjutan mutu program. Novelty artikel ini terletak pada perumusan kerangka kepemimpinan transformasional yang mengintegrasikan tata kelola akademik, bimbingan personal, dan nilai-nilai Islam dalam pengelolaan Program Doktor MPI. Abstract The Doctoral Program in Islamic Education Management (MPI) at UIN Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi faces challenges in improving academic quality, research productivity, and study completion rates, particularly amid the rapidly changing demands of higher education. These issues require a leadership model capable of mobilizing, empowering, and providing strategic direction for the entire academic community. This study aims to analyze the application of transformational leadership in the management of the MPI Doctoral Program and its contribution to enhancing program quality. The research employs a qualitative approach with a case study design, using in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. Data analysis follows the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model. The findings show that the four dimensions of transformational leadership, inspirational vision, idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, are consistently implemented and have a positive impact on strengthening the research culture, improving supervision effectiveness, fostering academic collaboration, and achieving excellent accreditation. Islamic values such as amanah and musyawarah further reinforce leadership practices. The study recommends strengthening the personal supervision system, expanding international research networks, and developing an interdisciplinary curriculum to support the program’s sustainable quality enhancement. The novelty of this article lies in formulating a transformational leadership framework that integrates academic governance, personal supervision, and Islamic values in managing the MPI Doctoral Program.