Strategic Sustainability Leadership (Level 7)

Strategic Sustainability Leadership (Level 7), offered by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), is an advanced professional qualification designed for practising and aspiring strategic managers and leaders responsible for setting organisational direction. The qualification focuses on using sustainability as a driver of long-term value, innovation, resilience, and organisational change, while developing the leadership and strategic capabilities needed to put sustainability principles into practice.

Core Content

The qualification covers four core units: Principles of Strategic Sustainability Leadership, Leading an Effective Sustainability Strategy, Leading Systemic Change for Sustainability, and Strategic Sustainability Project. Learners explore sustainability leadership principles, strategy development, organisational and systemic change, and practical application through a strategic sustainability project. The content is aligned with the CMI Professional Standards and is designed around the responsibilities of senior strategic leaders.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to integrate sustainability into organisational strategy, lead sustainability initiatives, and manage systemic change. The qualification builds skills in strategic sustainability leadership, strategy development, organisational transformation, change leadership, systems thinking, innovation, resilience, stakeholder management, and applying sustainability principles to real organisational challenges.

Target Learners

This qualification is designed for practising or aspiring strategic managers and leaders who are accountable for setting the strategic direction of an organisation. It is particularly relevant for senior managers, directors, executives, and professionals moving towards leadership positions where sustainability strategy and organisational transformation form part of their responsibilities.

Learning Format

The qualification is available across three levels of achievement: Award, Certificate, and Diploma. The Award requires 18 guided learning hours and 70 total qualification hours, the Certificate requires 36 guided learning hours and 140 total qualification hours, and the Diploma requires 138 guided learning hours and 370 total qualification hours. The qualifications carry 7, 14, and 37 credits respectively and have live accreditation status. Learning is structured around the four core units, with the Diploma including a Strategic Sustainability Project for practical application.

Additional Benefits

The qualification is aligned with the CMI Professional Standards and provides a structured pathway for senior professionals seeking to develop formal sustainability leadership capability. Its progression from Award to Certificate and Diploma allows learners to select a qualification level appropriate to their development needs, while the practical strategy and change components help connect sustainability leadership with real organisational decision-making and implementation.

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