The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is an advanced professional qualification designed for practising and aspiring managers who want to develop their strategic management and leadership capabilities. It provides a focused opportunity to build knowledge and skills in a specific area of strategic management and leadership at Level 7.
The qualification allows Learners to select at least one unit from Group A (Units 701–716). To achieve the Award, the selected unit must have a minimum of 70 Total Qualification Time (TQT) hours and 7 credits, with a minimum of 18 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
The Award is particularly valuable for Learners who want to focus their professional development on a specific strategic management or leadership area rather than completing a larger qualification. The selected unit can help Learners develop their ability to understand complex organisational issues, apply relevant management and leadership concepts to practice and, where appropriate, critically evaluate theory in relation to workplace situations. CMI expects assessment evidence to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, understanding, application and professional communication.
Successful completion of the Award can also provide a progression route within the CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership Practice suite. Learners may subsequently build on their achievement by progressing to the CMI Level 7 Certificate or Diploma, subject to completing the required additional units and meeting the relevant qualification rules. CMI also identifies Level 8 qualifications in Strategic Direction and Leadership as a further professional development opportunity.
Overall, the CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice provides a focused, flexible and professionally relevant route to advanced strategic management and leadership development, enabling Learners to deepen their expertise in a selected area while creating a foundation for further CMI qualifications and professional progression.
The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is open to Learners from the age of 19. CMI does not specify formal entry requirements for this qualification. However, the CMI Centre must ensure that each Learner has sufficient capability to undertake the learning and assessment at the required Level 7 standard.
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Minimum Age: Learners should be 19 years or above.
- Academic Qualification: CMI does not specify a mandatory previous academic qualification for entry.
- Management Experience: CMI does not specify mandatory previous management or leadership experience.
- Learning Capability: Learners must have sufficient capability to undertake Level 7 learning and successfully complete the required assessment.
- English Language: The qualification is offered in English, therefore Learners should have sufficient English language ability to understand the learning materials and complete assessment requirements.
The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is a focused, flexible qualification. To achieve the Award, Learners must select at least one unit from Group A (Units 701–716). The selected unit must provide a minimum of 70 Total Qualification Time (TQT) hours and 7 credits, with a minimum of 18 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).
Group A – Strategic Management and Leadership Practice Units
| Unit No. | Study Unit | GLH | TQT | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | Strategic Leadership | 36 | 110 | 11 |
| 702 | Leading and Developing People to Optimise Performance | 34 | 100 | 10 |
| 703 | Collaboration and Partnerships | 18 | 70 | 7 |
| 704 | Developing Organisational Strategy | 30 | 90 | 9 |
| 705 | Leading Strategic Change | 24 | 80 | 8 |
| 706 | Finance for Strategic Leaders | 32 | 90 | 9 |
| 707 | Organisational Design and Development | 26 | 80 | 8 |
| 708 | Strategic Risk Management | 24 | 80 | 8 |
| 709 | Strategic Management of Data and Information | 24 | 80 | 8 |
| 710 | Marketing Strategy | 30 | 80 | 8 |
| 711 | Entrepreneurial Practice | 32 | 90 | 9 |
| 712 | Strategic Management Project | 24 | 100 | 10 |
| 713 | Applied Research for Strategic Leaders | 18 | 70 | 7 |
| 714 | Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders | 24 | 90 | 9 |
| 715 | Strategic Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | 24 | 80 | 8 |
| 716 | Strategic Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing | 18 | 70 | 7 |
Award Requirement
Learners need to complete one eligible Group A unit to achieve the CMI Level 7 Award. The unit selected should align with the Learner’s professional role, strategic responsibilities or personal development objectives.
For example:
- Unit 701 – Strategic Leadership: Suitable for developing advanced strategic leadership capability.
- Unit 704 – Developing Organisational Strategy: Suitable for Learners involved in organisational strategy and strategic direction.
- Unit 705 – Leading Strategic Change: Suitable for professionals responsible for organisational change.
- Unit 708 – Strategic Risk Management: Suitable for Learners involved in strategic risk and governance.
- Unit 713 – Applied Research for Strategic Leaders: Suitable for Learners developing evidence-based approaches to organisational problems.
- Unit 714 – Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders: Suitable for Learners focusing on their strategic leadership development.
Skills You Will Gain
he CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice enables Learners to develop advanced knowledge and understanding in a specific area of strategic management and leadership, depending on the Group A unit selected. The Award requires completion of at least one unit from Units 701–716.
On successful completion of the selected unit, Learners should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the selected area of strategic management and leadership.
- Apply relevant management and leadership concepts, principles and theories to organisational practice.
- Analyse complex organisational situations and identify appropriate strategic responses.
- Critically evaluate relevant approaches, strategies and practices where required by the selected unit.
- Make evidence-informed recommendations that support organisational objectives and performance.
- Demonstrate professional communication appropriate to Level 7 management and leadership practice.
- Apply learning to relevant workplace or organisational contexts.
- Develop greater confidence in addressing strategic management and leadership challenges within the Learner’s professional area.
Unit-Specific Outcomes
Because the Award allows Learners to choose one unit from Group A, the precise learning outcomes depend on the selected unit. For example:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop understanding of strategic leadership and its application within organisational contexts.
- Developing Organisational Strategy: Critique factors influencing organisational strategy and appraise approaches to strategy development.
- Strategic Risk Management: Critically appraise strategic risk and assess strategies for managing risk within an organisational context.
- Applied Research for Strategic Leaders: Develop an evidence-based understanding of applied research and its use in strategic decision-making and organisational problem-solving.
- Entrepreneurial Practice: Critically appraise forms and contexts of entrepreneurship and develop evidence-based approaches to overcoming barriers to entrepreneurial practice.
- Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders: Develop capabilities that support effective strategic leadership and continuing professional development.
Overall, the Award is designed to enable Learners to develop specialist Level 7 strategic management and leadership capability, apply advanced knowledge to practice, critically analyse relevant issues and make professionally informed contributions to organisational performance.
The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is recommended for Learners who want to develop advanced knowledge and skills in a specific area of strategic management and leadership. As the Award requires completion of one eligible Group A unit, it is particularly suitable for focused professional development.
This Course Is Ideal For:
- Practising Managers who want to strengthen their knowledge in a specific strategic management or leadership area.
- Aspiring Senior Managers preparing for greater management and leadership responsibilities.
- Team and People Leaders seeking to develop advanced leadership and performance-management capabilities.
- Strategic Management Professionals involved in organisational planning, strategy or decision-making.
- Managers Leading Change who want to develop their understanding of strategic change and organisational development.
- Risk and Governance Professionals seeking advanced knowledge of strategic risk management.
- Finance and Business Professionals who want to strengthen their strategic financial management knowledge.
- Marketing and Business Development Professionals interested in strategic marketing and entrepreneurial practice.
- Project and Programme Managers working on strategic management projects or organisational improvement initiatives.
- Professionals Seeking Targeted CPD who want to develop a particular Level 7 management or leadership competency without undertaking a larger qualification.
- Learners Planning Further CMI Study who want to begin with an Award and potentially progress to the CMI Level 7 Certificate or Diploma.
The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice provides a flexible starting point for Learners who want to build their strategic management and leadership knowledge and progress towards larger CMI qualifications. CMI specifically identifies progression within the Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership Practice suite.
Further CMI Qualification Progression
- CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice – Learners can build on the Award by completing additional Group A units to meet the Certificate requirements. The Certificate requires a minimum of 14 credits and 140 TQT hours, compared with 7 credits and 70 TQT hours for the Award.
- CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice – Learners can continue their development by completing the additional units required to meet the Diploma’s minimum 37 credits and 370 TQT hours.
- CMI Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice – Learners may progress further to the Extended Diploma by completing the required unit combination and achieving 64 credits and 640 TQT hours.
Chartered Manager (CMgr)
The Award itself does not automatically provide Chartered Manager status. CMI states that Learners completing the Level 7 Diploma or Extended Diploma may be eligible for Chartered Manager (CMgr) where they can evidence a minimum of three years’ management and leadership experience, subject to the relevant CMI requirements.
Further Professional Development
After progressing through the Level 7 qualifications, Learners may consider CMI Level 8 Qualifications in Strategic Direction and Leadership as a further professional development route.
Typical Progression Pathway
CMI Level 7 Award
↓
CMI Level 7 Certificate
↓
CMI Level 7 Diploma
↓
CMI Level 7 Extended Diploma
↓
CMI Level 8 Strategic Direction and Leadership
This provides Learners with a structured pathway to progressively develop their strategic management and leadership knowledge, skills and professional practice.
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The Chartered Management Institute
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is a UK professional body and awarding organisation dedicated to management and leadership. CMI is the only Royal Chartered Body for management and leadership, with a Royal Charter recognising management as a profession and providing the foundation for Chartered Manager status.
What CMI Provides
- Regulated management and leadership qualifications
- Professional standards
- Management and leadership development
- Professional membership
- Chartered recognition
Why CMI?
CMI qualifications connect structured learning with practical management and leadership capability. They are designed to help professionals:
- Manage effectively — Lead people, teams and organisational activities.
- Make better decisions — Evaluate situations, priorities and opportunities.
- Think strategically — Understand organisational direction, performance and long-term priorities.
- Develop professionally — Build knowledge, capability and continuing professional development.
For experienced professionals, CMI offers pathways to fCMgr and CMgr, subject to eligibility requirements.
CMI Qualifications & UK Regulation
CMI offers regulated qualifications in management and leadership across different levels and qualification sizes. Its regulated qualifications operate within the UK’s four national regulatory frameworks:
- Ofqual — England
- CCEA Regulation — Northern Ireland
- Qualifications Wales — Wales
- Qualifications Scotland — Scotland
CMI is the awarding organisation, while the relevant national regulator provides regulatory oversight within its jurisdiction. Individual qualifications are identified through their official qualification titles, qualification codes and qualification numbers.
Why Choose Lexiton International?
Choose Lexiton International for a professional pathway to selected CMI management and leadership qualifications through a CMI Approved Centre in Pakistan. Our programmes are designed to support learners and professionals developing management, leadership, strategic and workplace wellbeing capabilities.
CMI Approved Centre | CMI Centre Number: C100002244
CMI Approved Centre
Lexiton International is a CMI Approved Centre in Pakistan (CMI Centre Number: C100002244) , operating within its approved scope and applicable CMI quality requirements.
Recognised CMI Qualifications
Access selected CMI Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications covering Management & Leadership, Strategic Management & Leadership Practice, and Strategic Approaches to Mental Health & Wellbeing.
Flexible Online & Blended Learning
Our applicable programmes are available through online and blended learning, supporting professionals who need to balance professional responsibilities with their development.
Professional & Strategic Development
Develop practical knowledge and capabilities in management, leadership, strategic decision-making, organisational performance and workplace wellbeing.
Support Throughout Your Learning Journey
Receive guidance throughout the learning and assessment journey in line with the requirements of your selected programme.
Pakistan & International Access
Lexiton International supports learners and professionals in Pakistan and international markets, providing access to applicable CMI qualification pathways.







