⚠️ This apprenticeship standard is being withdrawn from September 2026. New starts can still be enrolled until 17 December 2026, after which no new funded starts will be possible. Existing learners on programme will continue to be levy-funded to completion.
Senior Leader Level 7
Develop strategic leadership capability for C-suite impact. Master organisational strategy, financial stewardship, transformation, and enterprise governance at Level 7.
Important Funding Update: From 1 January 2026, Level 7 apprenticeships will only be government-funded for apprentices who, at the start of their apprenticeship training, are either aged 16–21, or aged under 25 and have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and/or have been, or are, in the care of their local authority. Any individual who started a Level 7 apprenticeship before 1 January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion. We recommend employers enquire early to secure places on the current funded programme.
Where Senior Leaders Drive Impact
C-Suite & Directors
Set organisational strategy, drive transformation, and deliver enterprise governance at the highest level.
Strategy & Growth
Develop long-term strategic plans, identify market opportunities, and lead business expansion.
Operations & Transformation
Optimise complex operations, lead transformational change initiatives, and drive continuous improvement.
Finance & Commercial
Master financial strategy, build commercial capability, and manage enterprise resources strategically.
People & Culture
Shape organisational culture, develop talent pipelines, and lead people-centred transformation.
Innovation & Digital
Drive digital transformation, foster innovation ecosystems, and position organisation for future growth.
Strategic Leadership Qualification
ST0480 Standard
CMI Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship
24-month levy-funded programme leading to formal CMI Level 7 qualification. Apprenticeship Standard recognised across all sectors.
CMI Accredited
Chartered Professional Recognition
Formal CMI Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship qualification. Chartered professional recognition and portable credential.
11 Strategic Leadership Modules
High Performing Teams & Culture
Build high-performing teams, develop coaching cultures, and create psychological safety for leaders.
Strategic Leadership & Direction
Strategic thinking, vision setting, enterprise-wide leadership, and decision-making in complexity.
Organisational Strategy & Business Modelling
Develop organisational strategy, create business models, and align resources to strategic intent.
Financial Strategy & Resource Management
Master financial analysis, capital allocation, commercial strategy, and ROI-driven decision making.
Leading Change & Transformation
Lead large-scale transformation programmes, manage resistance, and create sustainable change.
Crisis Management & Resilience
Develop organisational resilience, manage crises, and build business continuity capability.
Innovation & Disruptive Technologies
Drive innovation strategy, assess emerging technologies, and position organisation for disruption.
Stakeholder Management & Communications
Master stakeholder engagement, executive communications, and building strategic partnerships.
Governance, Ethics & Sustainability
Ensure governance compliance, drive ethical leadership, and embed sustainability into strategy.
Personal Leadership & Impact
Develop executive presence, emotional intelligence, and personal strategic leadership impact.
Strategic Business Development
Identify growth opportunities, develop partnerships, and drive strategic business development.
Your Learning Timeline
Strategic Leadership Foundations
Strategic thinking frameworks, high-performing teams, culture development, coaching foundations.
Organisational Strategy & Change
Organisational strategy, business modelling, leading change, transformation frameworks.
Financial & Commercial Strategy
Financial strategy, commercial capability, capital allocation, ROI-driven decisions.
Innovation & Resilience
Innovation strategy, disruptive technologies, crisis management, organisational resilience.
Real-World Strategic Project
Apply learning to real strategic challenge within organisation. Develop business case and implementation plan.
EPA Phase & End-Point Assessment
Portfolio consolidation, mock EPAs, professional discussions, strategic business proposal.
End-Point Assessment - 3-Method Evaluation
Strategic Business Proposal
Develop comprehensive proposal addressing strategic business challenge. Demonstrates strategic thinking and business acumen.
Presentation & Questioning
Present proposal and respond to questioning from assessor. Demonstrates communication, strategic thinking, and expertise.
Professional Discussion
Structured discussion reviewing learning, competence, and impact. Graded Distinction / Pass / Fail.
Why TESS Group
Strategic-First Focus
Designed specifically for C-suite and senior leaders. Strategic thinking and enterprise impact at every module.
CMI Level 7 Accredited
First-class CMI Level 7 qualification embedded within apprenticeship. Portable, recognised credential.
Real Strategic Projects
Apply learning to live strategic challenges within your organisation. Demonstrate business impact immediately.
Executive Coaching
1-to-1 executive coaching throughout programme. Develop executive presence and personal strategic leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a Level 7 apprenticeship designed specifically for C-suite and senior leaders. It builds on existing leadership experience.
This is an apprenticeship - levy-funded, embedded within your working role, practical real-world projects, and CMI Level 7 accreditation.
24 months on programme, approximately 12-15 hours per week off-the-job training, alongside live strategic project delivery.
Yes. CMI Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship qualification embedded throughout. Chartered professional recognition on completion.
Typically 4-8 weeks. We work with employers to secure funding and schedule start dates aligned to business needs.
Lead Strategic Transformation
Master enterprise strategy, financial stewardship, and transformational leadership at Level 7. CMI accredited. 24 months. levy-funded.