Senior Leader Level 7

Outline

At a post graduate diploma level , the Senior Leader apprenticeship, Level 7, is for individuals aspiring to or recently moving into a senior or strategic management role within their organisation.

It will support individuals from the private, public or third sector, and from all sizes of organisation, who want to develop their strategic leadership skills and can include the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Strategic Management and Leadership Level 7 Diploma.

Working with the Apprenticeships at Salford City College team of Management Associates, this apprenticeship will enable senior leaders to implement the essential structure, vision, financial controls and governance that will promote the long-term sustainability of their organisation.

This apprenticeship has been designed to support a wide a range of senior roles including General Managers, Section Leaders, Executives, Directors, COO, CFO, CEO and CIO positions and those undertaking this apprenticeship will need to be in a role that allows them to apply the newly learned knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure the requirements of the apprenticeship are met.

It will typically take up to two years to complete, although the exact duration will depend on the previous experience and time allocated to study by the individual.

Senior Leaders should provide clear, inclusive and strategic leadership and direction, setting the culture and tone across their area of responsibility or the entire organisation.  Typically, this involves setting, managing and monitoring resources to ensure the achievement of strategic objectives of their organisation.

There are no formal minimum entry requirements to join the programme; these are typically set by your employer. An appropriate amount of management experience with sufficient exposure and opportunity to be able to fulfil the apprenticeship requirement is ideal.

Apprentices that don’t have Level 2 English and maths will be supported to achieve this during their apprenticeship, prior to taking their end point assessment. We have specialist staff on hand to help guide and support apprentices through this requirement if it is needed.

On completion, apprentices can register as full members with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to support their professional career development and progression. Those with three years of management experience can also apply for Chartered Manager status through the CMI.

Assessment

How is it delivered and assessed?

The Senior Leader apprenticeship delivery model includes:

• Support from a dedicated and skilled Management Associate
• Monthly one-to-one coaching support, visits and guidance
• Regular meetings with employer, employee and Management Associate
• Monthly workshops and training sessions
• Webinars/canvas digital sessions
• Annual Leadership and Management Conference, featuring interactive meetings and networking opportunities
• Online learning resources and support available 24/7
• Assignments and self-study activities
• End point assessment preparation, support and readiness checks

On-programme assessment includes:

The on-programme assessment approach will be agreed in advance to provide an ongoing indication of performance against the final outcomes defined in the apprenticeship standard. It will include:

• Access to management resources, wider networks, and CPD activities
• There will be regular reviews (at least quarterly) between employer and one of our Management Associates to include a formal assessment of progress.
• Development of a portfolio of evidence including reports, evidence of tasks undertaken, demonstrations, presentations, assignments, emails, and observations
• Feedback from line manager, direct reports, peers and customers/stakeholders through 360-degree feedback (or equivalent mechanism)

Portfolio of evidence

Learning progress will be recorded and tracked through the Smart assessor e-portfolio, which can be accessed 24/7 anywhere and through any device. The evidence contained in the portfolio will comprise of complete and/or discrete pieces of work generated over the period of the apprenticeship to provide evidence of the senior leader’s ability to understand and apply relevant strategic management and leadership concepts.

End Point Assessment

The end point assessment will consist of:

• Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence –  which will typically comprise a collection of written, audio and video evidence which might include:
• Written statements
• Project plans
• Reports
• Observations (by Management Associate)
• Professional discussion between provider and apprentice
• Presentations
• Performance reviews
• Feedback from line manager, direct reports, colleagues, customers and stakeholders (captured through discussion)
• Peer feedback – 180/360-degree assessment type approach

• Strategic business proposal, presentation and questioning – which has two components and is completed after the gateway process:

o   Strategic business proposal – this may be based on any of the following:

o  The need to review and implement a change plan to improve financial efficiency within the workplace over a 3-year period

o   A focus on the next financial year on how they will take the business forward increasing profits and customers

o  The need to implement a direct saving (e.g., percentage decrease in direct costs, reduction in headcount) across their team, department or organisation following a reforecast activity

o   A strategic investment in a significant corporate initiative that will have long term benefits to the business

o   But this list is not exhaustive

 

·         Presentation and questioning based on the strategic business proposal

Entry Requirements

• English and maths – Level 2

Apprentices must be in suitable employment and have the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and behaviours aligned to this apprenticeship standard. 

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