CMI MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION
Develop strategic leadership capability with a recognised qualification for senior leaders and experienced managers shaping direction, culture and organisational performance.
CMI Level 7 supports advanced leadership development with practical relevance and stronger professional credibility.
At a glance
Professional recognition
Professional Academy delivers CMI management and leadership qualifications, pairing recognised frameworks with practical advice and structured support.
Explore CMI recognitionThe value of this qualification
The skills, recognition and confidence to lead marketing at the highest level.
A structured summary of the qualification, delivery model, and professional context.
Build your qualification
Your pathway updates as you choose. Select a study route, make your module choices and we will confirm when your qualification is complete.
Your modules
Each module is designed to develop your professional capability and strategic confidence. Whether your focus is marketing, sales, leadership, or wider business performance, these modules combine theory with real-world application to build analytical skill, commercial awareness, and confident decision-making.
Effective strategic leadership is a catalyst for organisational success. Leaders have to be knowledgeable, creative, agile and resilient to respond to organisational needs in the contemporary workplace. The aim of this unit is to equip leaders with an in-depth understanding of strategic leadership within an organisational context. Leaders will explore the complexities of the role and the theoretical perspectives, approaches, behaviours and skills which can enhance their professional practice. The unit focuses on the leader’s ability to respond creatively to complex organisational challenges and understand how to set and deliver sustainable strategic goals
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic leadership in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The ability to optimise performance through the leadership and development of people is fundamental for leaders who wish to achieve and maximise organisational outcomes. Organisational success begins by placing the needs of people at the heart of the organisation and through the creation of a culture which enables sustained organisational performance. The aim of this unit is for leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people. They will explore the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, development and design, policy and strategy that can be used creatively within the leadership role. Ultimately, leaders will have the opportunity to propose a leadership and development strategy. The aim of which values people whilst optimising an organisation’s performance
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of leading and developing people to optimise performance in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Collaboration and partnerships can have a huge impact on organisational success. These arrangements (formal or informal) can result in increased profitability and productivity as well as the development and delivery of new products and services. Collaboration and partnerships can turn ideas into reality, enhancing opportunities for innovation and creativity, research and development. Increasingly, collaboration and partnership working are required to be successful in gaining a bid or tender. The aim of the unit is for leaders to understand collaborative and partnership arrangements. Leaders will critically assess the scope and value of these, as well as evaluating the impact of organisational and legal frameworks on how these arrangements are delivered. The unit culminates in the requirement for the leader to present a rationale for collaboration or partnerships to further an organisation’s success
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of collaboration and partnerships in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Leaders must have an in-depth understanding of strategy and how it can be developed if they are to operate effectively in complex local, national and global markets. The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to know how to develop and influence an organisation’s strategic direction through the development of a meaningful strategy. To support this outcome, leaders will critique the factors which drive the development of organisational strategy and appraise approaches to successfully develop strategy. The unit culminates in leaders developing an organisational strategy to achieve a business goal. To complement this activity, leaders will propose an approach to implement and monitor the strategy developed to ensure its sustained success
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of developing organisational strategy in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Leaders must be able to navigate an organisation through strategic change. This will optimise an organisation’s ability to remain competitive, react to the needs and expectations of stakeholders and respond to changing national and international markets. The aim of this unit is for leaders to understand the scope, context and complexity of leading strategic change. Leaders will understand how the application of analytical techniques, theories and models of change, and creative problem-solving can be used to equip them to lead strategic change with confidence. The unit culminates in giving leaders the opportunity to develop a proposal to lead a strategic change
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of leading strategic change in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Practicing leaders must have an understanding of the Finance function to be an effective decision maker within their role. Finance impacts on all aspects of an organisation and has a profound influence on the development and achievement of strategic objectives. The aim of this unit is to provide leaders with an understanding of the scope, complexity and role of Finance within an organisational context. Leaders will know how to critically assess methods for analysing financial data and information required to make strategic decisions. Ultimately, the aim of this unit is to equip leaders to be more confident in their understanding of the Finance function
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of finance for strategic leaders in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Organisational design and development impacts on an organisation’s ability to respond to new and emerging markets, changing work patterns, new technologies and the ability to respond to the needs and expectations of stakeholders. Ultimately, organisational design and development is critical to an organisation’s sustained success. The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to understand the relationship between organisational design and development and the achievement of strategic objectives. Leaders will understand the impact of current and emerging factors which influence the need for agile and adaptive organisations. On successful completion of this unit, leaders will be able to develop a proposal for sustainable organisational design and development to respond to current and emerging needs
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of organisational design and development in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The ability to effectively lead strategic risk management is essential to safeguard an organisation’s prosperity and reputation. Ultimately, leaders must know how to develop and lead risk management in a manner that not only reacts to organisational needs but contributes to organisational success. The aim of this unit is for leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of strategic risk management. Leaders will critically appraise strategic risk within an organisational context. They will assess strategies for risk management and the leadership skills to lead risk initiatives successfully. Ultimately, leaders will be given the opportunity to develop a framework to deliver a risk strategy in an organisational context
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic risk management in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The use of strategic data and information supports leaders to make complex decisions and judgements which will ultimately enable an organisation to achieve its objectives. Given the complexities of this topic, understanding how data and information can be applied strategically is an essential leadership attribute. The aims of this unit are for leaders to see strategic management of data and information as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Leaders will understand the strategic value and use of data and information and will critique strategies for its effective management. The unit culminates in the opportunity to develop a strategy to improve the use of data and information in a strategic organisational context
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic management of data and information in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Strategic marketing practice requires the ability to respond rapidly to ever-changing markets through the development of a marketing strategy, which is a plan of action designed to promote and sell products or services. Whilst leaders may already be familiar with basic marketing concepts, it is essential to maintain pace with change especially with regard to developments in data and information management, social and technological change. The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to understand the context in which a marketing strategy is developed. Leaders will appraise theoretical frameworks and processes which inform strategic marketing. They will have the opportunity to reflect on the interrelationship between marketing and an organisation’s strategic aims along with the opportunities and impact of digital marketing. Ultimately, leaders will consider how to develop a marketing strategy, which will enable organisational success
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of marketing strategy in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Entrepreneurial practice is a multi-dimensional concept. To some it is simply the pursuit of an opportunity; to others it could be an innovative business start-up, an invention or re-invention of a product, service or a process or the development of solutions to social, cultural or environmental issues. At its core entrepreneurialism or entrepreneurial action is a mind-set. Entrepreneurial practice covers several different perspectives; econo00mic, management, sociology and psychology. The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to explore the principles of entrepreneurial practice, understand the different contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish and the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of entrepreneurial practice in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
A fundamental part of a leader’s role is to develop and lead strategic management projects. Tailored to the long-term aims of the organisation, projects may focus on opportunities for organisational growth, development or the management of change. Projects may explore identified problems or weaknesses. They may be designed to create dynamic new opportunities in the competitive marketplace, explore new ways of working or build capabilities. Ultimately a strategic management project should add value to the organisation. The aim of this unit is for leaders to undertake a strategic management project of their own choosing. To achieve this outcome leaders will develop a business case, propose research design to inform the project’s direction and recommend project management methods and tools to structure the delivery of the project. Leaders will report on project outcomes and reflect on the skills and behaviours which ultimately influence the success of the strategic management project
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic management project in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Undertaking meaningful research can unlock solutions to complex organisational problems. It can also enable new opportunities to be explored, which impacts on the development of new products, services and support for customers and stakeholders. The aim of this unit is to enable strategic leaders to develop an evidence-based understanding of applied research methods and the ways research can be conducted scientifically, ethically and legally in an organisational context. The unit will support strategic leaders to become producers of applied research, with the ability to generate new knowledge, based on the practical challenges of the workplace. The aim is to facilitate strategic decision making, and ultimately add value to the organisation
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of applied research for strategic leaders in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
In a globalised, high-tech, fast paced and unpredictable world, strategic leaders must prioritise personal and professional development. This will enable them to keep pace with developments in strategic and operational practice and equip them to respond effectively to organisational and societal change. The aim of this unit is to support leaders to understand approaches to personal and professional development. Leaders will critically reflect on the interrelationship between the skillset and mindset to develop as a strategic leader. Vitally leaders will reflect on their own personal, interpersonal and professional competencies and behaviours to lead strategically. The opportunity for leaders to reflect on their own performance will equip them to develop a meaningful personal and professional development plan
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of personal and professional development for strategic leaders in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
There is a moral, financial and legal business case for excellent practice in equality, diversity and inclusion in an organisational context. Ensuring it is led effectively at a strategic level requires knowledge, understanding, skills, behaviours and tenacity to keep pace with the momentum of change. Strategically, equality, diversity and inclusion matters. An understanding of the topic not only impacts on the success of strategic objectives but it mitigates risk and enables a culture of support and wellbeing to thrive. The aim of this unit is to enable leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion at a strategic level. Leaders will have the opportunity to critically assess structural inequality within an organisational and societal context. They will discuss approaches to comply with legal and good practice requirements and to appraise the influence of equality, diversity and inclusion on strategic objectives. The unit culminates in leaders being given the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for equality, diversity and inclusion
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic approaches to equality and inclusion in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Strategies for mental health and wellbeing must be a priority for all organisations seeking to improve their productivity, capability, reputation and quality of outcomes. Prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is rapidly gaining traction through political and social campaigning. People are challenging the ‘always-on’ 24/7 culture, and the term ‘work-life’ balance is emerging as a requirement, rather than an aspiration. The aim of the unit is for leaders to understand the impact of mental health and wellbeing on organisational performance. Leaders will critically assess the complexities of managing wellbeing and will appraise contemporary approaches for the creation of healthy work systems. The unit culminates in leaders being given the opportunity to propose a series of recommendations to create and sustain a positive culture of mental health and wellbeing within an organisational context
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic approaches to mental health and wellbeing in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The ability to procure, purchase and contract goods, services and capital items effectively is of paramount importance if an organisation is to succeed. For the professional manager and leader this knowledge and understanding is invaluable. It has the power to enhance decision making, strategic and operational planning and the effective delivery of outcomes within budgetary constraints. It is important to recognise that the terms ‘procurement’ and ‘purchasing’ are interpreted differently depending on the type of organisation. For the purpose of this unit, ‘procurement’ is recognised as the strategic activity that will be underpinned by ‘purchasing’ and ‘contracting’. The aim of this unit is for managers and leaders to realise business objectives through competent, ethical and professional contracting, purchasing and procurement practices
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of procurement, purchasing and contracting in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability are topics keenly related to organisational accountability. Definitions and approaches taken to manage and lead CSR and sustainability vary according to the type and purpose of an organisation and its governance. Approaches typically include the development of aims and objectives, policy and strategy, with the intent to address the impact of an organisation’s activity on society, the environment and a commitment to ethical and responsible conduct. The aim of this unit is to enable professional managers 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
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of strategic corporate social responsibility and sustainability in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Effective quality management is critical to meeting stakeholder needs and expectations, developing trust and reputation. It impacts on profitability, processes and procedures and the achievement of strategic objectives. Quality is not something that occurs by chance. It is reliant on strategic and operational planning and the commitment and drive by professional managers, leaders, teams and individuals to make it a success. The aim of this unit is to enable professional managers and leaders to understand the rationale and approaches to quality management. Critically, the unit focuses on how quality and continuous improvement can be instilled into all aspects of working practice
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of leading quality management in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The principles laid down in organisational, corporate, functional and departmental policies have a direct bearing on the daily activities of an organisation’s workforce. Policy focuses on the activities which are of critical importance to an organisation. Policies can be used to set strategic direction. Policies also set expectations about the behaviours and values required by staff to work ethically and professionally within their roles and when representing the organisation. Policy writing is an art form which requires great skill. An in-depth understanding of the context in which policy is developed, the factors which drive the need for policy, and crucially, the influence of stakeholders in policy development is required to write effective policies. The aim of the unit is to enable professional managers and leaders to take a fresh look at the role policy plays within an organisation, know how policy can be developed and ultimately, cascaded successfully to its intended audience
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of principles and practices of policy development in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Coaching is a powerful learning and development tool. Used effectively, it is able to optimise individual and team performance and the achievement of organisational goals. Coaching has rapidly become an essential leadership tool. It enables the professional manager and leader to support, motivate and empower individuals and teams in a conversational and insightful way. This contrasts with and complements the use of traditional directive leadership approaches. This unit focuses on these specific coaching skills, techniques and approaches that are required by leaders to develop the knowledge, skills and resourcefulness of individuals. It focuses on the benefits and types of coaching used by leaders in different contexts and how the application of coaching impacts in the organisational environment. A key part of this unit is for leaders to critically reflect on their own ability to coach individuals and identify opportunities for improvement. In order to achieve this, learners will need to use coaching skills in their leadership practice
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of coaching skills for leaders in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
The ability to make ethical decisions under pressure is a fundamental requirement of a professional manager and leader. Ethical decision making is not easy, especially when decisions are under the spotlight of stakeholder opinion, constrained by organisational, legal and regulatory requirements, where ambiguity exists, where risks are high or where the outcome of decisions will be unpopular. All decisions involve some form of value-based judgement and could involve ethical considerations. Whilst mechanistic decision making is the ability to select an action from different alternatives, ethical decision making focuses on value-based judgements and a wider range of issues that are typically more complicated in nature. The aim of this unit is to equip professional managers and leaders with the understanding of how to make ethical decisions in different organisational contexts
By completing this unit, you will be able to apply the principles of principles and practices of ethical decision making in your organisation, evaluate their effect on performance, and identify practical actions that strengthen your management and leadership practice.
This unit is assessed through evidence that demonstrates achievement of the published CMI learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Your tutor will explain the required assessment activities, supporting evidence and submission process for your chosen qualification route.
Study support you will receive
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Fees & funding
Your fee is shaped around the modules and study support you choose.
The Qualification is modular by design. Your total course fee is built around your individual learning pathway, so you never pay for content you do not need.
Learning materials and LMS access, tutor support, assessment marking and assignment preparation workshops.
Employer-funded study, interest free monthly payment plans, corporate invoicing and professional development budgets.
CIM Marketing fees are paid direct by the learner, other awarding bodies are included in our fees. For specific membership durations, talk to our team.
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Frequently asked questions
The recommended entry criteria on this course page describe the expected starting point. An adviser can help you confirm whether the course fits your current experience and intended next step.
The available delivery options are shown on this course page and can vary by programme and schedule.
The typical duration is The typical duration is shown in the qualification overview on this course page.. Actual completion time can depend on the study route, schedule and individual progress.
The qualification overview on this course page explains the assessment method and format.
The course page explains the tutor support available during the programme.
If your development needs are centred on operational management, compare CMI Level 5 management and leadership. If you are responsible for leading AI adoption, explore AI leadership apprenticeship units as a focused development option, subject to role and funding checks.
Further Resources
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