CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Sustainability Leadership

730 Principles of Strategic Sustainability Leadership

This unit aims to provide strategic managers and leaders with an introduction to the principles of strategic vision and purpose, in the context of sustainability leadership. They will explore global sustainability challenges which may impact organisations, as well as frameworks and leadership strategies.

608 Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

The aim of this unit is to enable professional mangers and leaders to understand CSR and sustainability in an organisational context. They will assess the enablers, constraints and barriers to its success, present a case for organisational engagement, identify approaches for its implementation and ultimately, identify strategies to gain ongoing stakeholder commitment.

702b Leading and Developing People to Sustain Performance

The aim of the unit is for leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people to drive sustainability agenda. They will explore the influence and impact of leadership theories, the adoption of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles and designing, long-term policy and strategy that can be used creatively within the leadership role. Ultimately, leaders will have the opportunity to propose a comprehensive Leadership and Sustainable Development Strategy. The aim of this strategy is to value people and protect natural capital while simultaneously optimising the organisation’s performance for a sustainable future.

733 Strategic Sustainability Project

This unit aims to enable strategic managers and leaders to develop the knowledge and skills to design a strategic sustainability project. They will explore research design to inform a strategic sustainability project. This will enable the undertaking of a strategic sustainability project, reflecting on the outcomes.

If an individual is not already in membership at the time of registering on a CMI qualification then they will be provided with free Affiliate membership of the CMI through until the completion of their studies. For details of the benefits of membership please see Resources and Benefits | Membership – CMI

There may be the opportunity to upgrade during the Learner’s studies dependant on successfully completing an assessment with CMI.

Our Teaching Approach

Learn Through Real Work. Grow Through Real Experience.

Our programme is built around a work-integrated learning model, designed to seamlessly connect theory with real-world practice. Rather than learning in isolation, you’ll develop knowledge and skills together—ensuring everything you study is directly relevant to your role and future career.

This joined-up approach supports you in becoming a confident, reflective professional—someone who not only performs effectively in the workplace but also continues to grow through lifelong learning and professional development.

Inquiry-Led Learning That Puts You in Control

We believe the best learning happens when you actively explore and question. That’s why our programme uses an inquiry-based approach, encouraging you to:

• Engage deeply with key topics
• Connect new ideas to your own experiences
• Take ownership of your learning journey

By personalising your learning, you’ll gain a stronger understanding of how knowledge is developed—and how to apply it in meaningful ways.

Learn by Doing: Experience at the Core

At the heart of the programme is experiential learning—learning through doing.

You’ll build skills and confidence through:

• Work-based learning embedded in your role
• Interactive workshops focused on real scenarios
• Practical activities that mirror workplace challenges
• Structured reflection to deepen your understanding

This means you’re not just learning concepts—you’re actively applying them in real time.

Interactive, Practical, and Engaging Delivery

Our teaching approach is designed to keep you involved every step of the way. Each session combines:

• Short, focused lectures to introduce key ideas
• Hands-on workshops to apply what you’ve learned
• Peer discussions and debates to broaden perspectives
• Collaborative and individual activities to build skills
• One-to-one tutorials for personalised support

You’ll also reinforce your learning through guided reading, workplace application, and reflective practice—ensuring knowledge sticks and skills develop.

Delivery Information

The full time course is delivered on a weekly basis at UCNL.

Assessment: Designed for Real-World Impact

Your progress on the programme is assessed through CMI (Chartered Management Institute) assessment briefs, ensuring your work is aligned with recognised professional standards and expectations.

Rather than traditional exams, assessment is practical, applied, and career-focused, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge in ways that directly relate to your role and organisation.

What You’ll Be Assessed On

You’ll complete a variety of engaging assessment formats, including:

• Briefing papers that communicate key information and insights clearly and concisely
• Case studies that explore and evaluate real or simulated workplace scenarios
• Proposal documents where you design practical solutions to organisational challenges
• Project reports that demonstrate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of workplace initiatives
• Presentations that showcase your ideas, findings, and recommendations with impact
• Reports that analyse issues and apply theoretical concepts to real-world contexts

Each task is designed to help you translate learning into action, building both competence and confidence while developing skills you can apply directly in your professional role.

Assessment That Supports Learning—Not Just Measures It

Assessment is fully integrated into the learning journey, not something that happens in isolation. You’ll be supported to succeed through:

• Ongoing feedback from tutors, peers, and employers
• Opportunities to draft, refine, and improve your work
• Continuous reflection on your performance and development

This approach ensures assessment becomes a tool for growth, helping you to deepen your understanding and continuously improve.

Demonstrate Real Skills, Deliver Real Value

Because assessments are closely linked to your workplace, every piece of work you complete has practical value. You’ll not only meet course requirements but also:

• Contribute meaningful insights to your organisation
• Develop solutions to real business challenges
• Build a portfolio of professional evidence

Professionally Recognised, Professionally Relevant

By completing CMI-aligned assessments, you’ll gain more than just academic achievement—you’ll demonstrate the professional behaviours, skills, and knowledge expected in today’s workplace.

This qualification can be offered to Learners from age 18.

Applicants must hold either:

• a level 5 CMI diploma
• the Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship standard
• a level 6 qualification. This may be a level 6 professional qualification, level 6 apprenticeship, or BA degree.

The qualification is offered in the medium of the English Language.

Upon successful completion of their qualification, learners may wish to further their ongoing personal and professional development by accessing other CMI qualifications, such as the learners may wish to further their personal and professional development by investigating the opportunity to become a Chartered Manager or enrolling on a higher level qualification with the CMI.

Chartered Managers are consistent high performers, committed to current best practice and ethical standards. A unique designation, exclusively awarded by the Chartered Management Institute, Chartered Manager embodies a professional approach to management through knowledge, competence, professional standards and commitment to continuing professional development (CPD). To find out more about how to become a Chartered Manager please visit Chartered Manager | Membership – CMI

Learners who are wishing to develop professional management and leadership practice will have knowledge, skills and behaviours to drive business activities in a senior management and leadership role:

• Senior Manager
• Regional Manager
• Specialist Manager (with expertise in a specific business or technical function such as quality, finance, risk, marketing, sales IT, human resources etc.)
• Director