Qualification Structure

Within the Strategic Management and Leadership qualification there is currently the choice of studying two different qualifications. The qualification selected will be determined by your personal development needs and the organisational requirements. They are:

• Certificate - the Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership gives you a broader knowledge of strategic management skills while focusing on the specific leadership areas appropriate to you and your workplace.
• Diploma - the Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership gives you a wide knowledge of strategic management and leadership skills. You can select the units most appropriate to your individual and organisational needs.

To achieve a Certificate you need to complete any combination of units to 14 credits.

To achieve a Diploma you need to complete any combination of units to 37 credits.

Assessment

To achieve success in a particular unit you need to show that you are able to meet the assessment criteria. There are a number of ways in which you can do this. These include your day-to-day work activities and the learning opportunities that you undertake as part of your normal professional development.

Many of the things you do as part of your development and applying this to your work will give you evidence that shows you fulfill the assessment criteria. How you get your evidence assessed is in the section: How do I get my work assessed?

You will be provided with evidence documents that you need to complete.

The assessment process considers your evidence and is specific to each qualification. This evidence is drawn from your day-to-day activities and the learning journey you are undertaking.

Your work can take up to 6 weeks to be assessed and feedback will be given to you.

Study Resources

ManagementDirect

https://premier.md.cmi.org.uk

It's fast, comprehensive and free to registered learners undertaking a qualification with Premier Partnership.

Management Direct is a complete online library of comprehensive and up-to-date material that addresses current management practice, supports studying and those looking to develop their skills.

• 220 Management Checklists and 60 Management Thinker profiles
• One page overviews of key Management Models
• Multimedia resources - 400 Leader Videos and e-learning modules
• CMI research and Professional Manager articles
• Authoritative definitions of management terms
• Over 11,000 articles and 600 ebooks to read online when you need them
• Learning Journey playlists for many units giving you easy access to resources specifically selected to support your studies
• Resources to develop your Study Skills, including factsheets on assignment writing, references and citations, learning styles, note taking and avoiding plagiarism.

All these resources are freely available to members from one source. Definitions give you a headline understanding of topic; Checklists and Models provide the essentials; and books and articles enable you to research further. Depending on your needs, you choose how far you want to go.

For any learning related enquiries, or to provide feedback on any of the learning you complete, please contact the ODP Central Team at learningandaccreditationteam.centralodp@hmrc.gov.uk

Units

Level 7	Unit	Credits
Unit 701	Strategic Leadership The aim of this unit is to equip leaders with an in-depth understanding of strategic leadership within an organisational context. Leaders will explore the complexities of the role and the theoretical perspectives, approaches, behaviours and skills which can enhance their professional practice. The unit focuses on the leader's ability to respond creatively to complex organisational challenges and understand how to set and deliver sustainable strategic goals.	11
Unit 702	Leading and Developing People to Optimise Performance The aim of this unit is for leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people. They will explore the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, development and design, policy and strategy that can be used creatively within the leadership role. Ultimately, leaders will have the opportunity to propose a leadership and development strategy. The aim of which values people whilst optimising an organisation's performance.	10
Unit 703	Collaboration and Partnership The aim of the unit is for leaders to understand collaborative and partnership arrangements. Leaders will critically assess the scope and value of these, as well as evaluating the impact of organisational and legal frameworks on how these arrangements are delivered. The unit culminates in the requirement for the leader to present a rationale for collaboration or partnerships to further an organisation's success.	7
Unit 704	Developing Organisational Strategy The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to know how to develop and influence an organisation's strategic direction through the development of a meaningful strategy. To support this outcome, leaders will critique the factors which drive the development of organisational strategy and appraise approaches to successfully develop strategy. The unit culminates in leaders developing an organisational strategy to achieve a business goal. To complement this activity, leaders will propose an approach to implement and monitor the strategy developed to ensure its sustained success.	9
Unit 706	Finance for Strategic Leaders The aim of this unit is to provide leaders with an understanding of the scope, complexity and role of Finance within an organisational context. Leaders will know how to critically assess methods for analysing financial data and information required to make strategic decisions. Ultimately, the aim of this unit is to equip leaders to be more confident in their understanding of the Finance function.	9
Unit 708	Strategic Risk Management The aim of this unit is for leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of strategic risk management. Leaders will critically appraise strategic risk within an organisational context. They will assess strategies for risk management and the leadership skills to lead risk initiatives successfully. Ultimately, leaders will be given the opportunity to develop a framework to deliver a risk strategy in an organisational context.	8
Unit 710	Marketing Strategy The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to understand the context in which a marketing strategy is developed. Leaders will appraise theoretical frameworks and processes which inform strategic marketing. They will have the opportunity to reflect on the interrelationship between marketing and an organisation's strategic aims along with the opportunities and impact of digital marketing. Ultimately, leaders will consider how to develop a marketing strategy, which will enable organisational success.	8
Unit 712	Strategic Management Project The aim of this unit is for leaders to undertake a strategic management project of their own choosing. To achieve this outcome leaders will develop a business case, propose research design to inform the project's direction and recommend project management methods and tools to structure the delivery of the project. Leaders will report on project outcomes and reflect on the skills and behaviours which ultimately influence the success of the strategic management project.	10
Unit 715	Strategic Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion at a strategic level. Leaders will have the opportunity to critically assess structural inequality within an organisational and societal context. They will discuss approaches to comply with legal and good practice requirements and to appraise the influence of equality, diversity and inclusion on strategic objectives. The unit culminates in leaders being given the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for equality, diversity and inclusion.	8

What do I need to produce?

Each qualification, Award, Certificate or Diploma has its own requirement for evidence. You will be guided to the evidence field for that qualification by clicking on the link to the units you have enrolled for. You will find these links in the password-protected area.

Each unit section will give you details of the process you need to follow and any documentation you need to complete.

How is my work assessed?

You will be provided with evidence documents that you need to complete.

The assessment process considers your evidence and is specific to each qualification. This evidence is drawn from your day-to-day activities and the learning journey you are undertaking.

The assessment will use the following:

• Naturally occurring documents completed as part of the job role
• Evidence produced through carrying out learning activities and exercises outlined in a Civil Service Learning Workplace Learning Activity
• Completed exercises in a workbook
• Activities and action points recorded when completing e-learning
• Attendance at workshops and outcomes of activities completed as part of face-to-face workshops (for example, writing a SMART team objective based on organisation information based on an exercise)
• Personal development action plan completed during workshop
• Feedback from skills practise sessions
• Discussions with your Line Manager
• Written answers to questions

Your work can take up to 6 weeks to be assessed, as it has to go through three stages of marking. The first being the marking of your work, the second is the verification of your work and the assessors marking and the third stage is sign off by CMI.

Support

Premier Partnership

As well as handling the technical aspects of the accreditation process, Premier Partnership is committed to providing additional learner support, for example if you have any queries about your registration with CMI or if you have any special requirements.

You can contact Premier Partnership directly at quals@premier-partnership.co.uk or by telephoning the help desk on 01302 361226.

Telephone enquiries will be responded to in normal working hours (09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday) or for messages left outside of normal working hours within one working day.

Emails will normally be responded to within 48 hours.

CMI website

As a registered learner with CMI you have access to a wealth of learning resources. These include:

• Quick find study resources directly linked to your qualification
• Access to checklists, e-learning tools and much more

You can access this through the Management Direct resource website

Your Line Manager

Your Line Manager already plays an important role in your professional development. As you progress towards your qualification, your Line Manager will support you in a number of ways. These include:

• Approving your request to start the pathway
• Agreeing with you what are the most appropriate development opportunities
• Having regular discussions with you, including reviews of any workshops you have attended or learning activities that you have undertaken

The Line Manager Guide clarifies their role in supporting you through the qualification.

Central ODP Team

For any learning related enquiries, or to provide feedback on any of the learning you complete, please contact the ODP Central Team at learningandaccreditationteam.centralodp@hmrc.gov.uk

Policies and Codes of Practice

Both CMI and Premier Partnership work in accordance with a number of policies and codes of practice to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities in a fair, equitable and legal manner.

Policies and procedures that are particularly relevant to you as a learner are:

CMI

• Complaints and Appeals Policy
• Complaints and Appeals Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy
• Diversity and Equality Policy

Premier Partnership

• Complaints and Appeals Policy
• Diversity and Equality Policy

Policies and procedures are based on ACAS guidelines and codes of practice. You may request copies of these by contacting Premier Partnership directly at quals@premier-partnership.co.uk