Level 7 (at end of programme)
18 – 24 months duration
depending on prior experience / learning
£14,000 maximum funding cap
available from Apprenticeship Levy or co-investment
Senior Leader Level 7
A leader within an organisation who has senior management responsibilities, formal governance and/or director responsibilities.
Occupation Summary
A leader is someone who has senior management responsibility, and this can include formal governance/director responsibilities. They are responsible for direction and vision, providing a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent. They take into account market trends and environmental influences, identifying longer-term opportunities and risks. Through inclusive leadership, they are responsible for developing ethical, innovative and supportive cultures with the ability to deliver results. They are a role model, with responsibility for those in senior positions/significant organisational budgets.
Occupational Profile: Professional strategic leaders in the private, public or third sector and all sizes of organisation, who lead, manage and direct organisations. Specific job roles may include: Senior Leader, Section Leader, Executive, Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Information Officer, senior military officer, HE Registrar and Head of Department/Faculty.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of organisational dynamics and how to build high performing teams.
- Understand large scale and organisational influencing & negotiation strategies.
- Know how to shape organisational vision, culture and values.
- Understand innovation, systems thinking and knowledge management.
- Knowledge of ethics & values based leadership; regulatory environment, H&S Knowledge.
- Understands financial strategies inc. scenarios, modelling and identifying trends.
Skills:
- Use of horizon scanning to deliver performance strategies, undertaking research.
- Initiates and leads change, creates environment for creativity.
- Challenge strategies and operations in terms of ethics and corporate responsibility.
- Oversees financial strategies & management, allocation of resources and contracts.
- Uses personal presences to articulate and engage in operational strategies.
- Enables an open and high performance working environment.
- Manages complex relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
Behaviours:
- Has high level of self-awareness, emotional and social intelligence.
- Takes personal accountability aligned to clear values.
- Is confident and brave, willing to innovate, seeks new ideas & contingencies.
- Engaging with all – leads by example.
- Reflects on own performance and demonstrates professional standards.
Entry requirements
- Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. At least 3 years previous management experience will be required.
- Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to endpoint assessment.
- For those with an education, health and care plan, the English and maths minimum requirement is entry Level 3.
Progression routes
- End qualification is a PG Diploma in Strategic Leadership or Management with the opportunity to top up to an MSc or MBA on completion of the apprenticeship, depending on the training provider (addition non-levy funded costs will apply)
- On completion, candidates can apply for Chartered Manager status with the Chartered Management Institute
Training providers:
Training provider analysis
This standard is used widely across multiple sectors to upskill senior leaders. Training provider analysis identified a number of potential organisations that deliver a Level 7 Senior Leadership apprenticeship. MMU and University of Exeter have been selected as they can deliver a high quality national programme and have been recommended by organisations in the life sciences sector.
