Level 7 Senior Leader

The Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is designed for the individuals moving into a
senior management role. Senior Leaders are a key component of all types of business
model where there is a workforce to lead, manage and support. The broad purpose of
the occupation is to provide clear, inclusive and strategic leadership and direction
relating to their area of responsibility within an organisation. A Senior Leader
influences at a higher organisational level, including sometimes at Board (or
equivalent) level, and sets the culture and tone across their area of responsibility. An
employee in this occupation interacts with internal stakeholders such as members of
their team, other senior leaders/managers, support services (for example: finance,
marketing, HR) and project groups and, in larger organisations, they may be part of a
wider specialist team. A Senior Leader may be responsible for reporting results
relating to their area of responsibility to a Board, trustees, shareholders, executive
team or to other senior management within the organisation. Externally, a Senior
Leader acts as an ambassador for their organisation with wide-ranging networks
typically involving customers/clients, supply chains and statutory/regulatory bodies.

Examples of a job role this qualification is suitable for but not limited to are: Associate
Director, Business Unit Head, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Information Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Divisional Head, Executive Director, He
Registrar, Head of Department/Faculty, Warrant Officer.

• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to
  taking the End-Point Assessment
• For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the
  apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.
• A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English
  qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

The qualification usually takes around 24 months. However, it is possible to complete
earlier depending on the apprentice’s existing achievement and individual circumstance. This can be discussed with the Tutor.

On-programme assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours will lead to the final
synoptic end-point assessment.

• Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard
• Level 2 Functional Skills in English
• Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths
• Chartered Manager or Chartered Fellow status from Chartered Management

Institute (CMI) and The Institute of Leadership and Management (TILM)

• Set the overall strategic direction of the area of responsibility and encourage
  employees to buy into the organisation’s vision.
• Develop and review operational policies and procedures to ensure they are aligned
  to the needs of the organisation.
• Lead projects to deliver organisational strategy such as change and agile
  transformation programmes, diversification, new product implementation, and
  customer experience improvement.
• Decide strategically organisational resource requirements (budgets, people, technology).
• Respond to crisis management, assess the risks and opportunities, and find solutions
  that meet the needs of both the organisation and its customers/ stakeholders.
• Lead areas such as people development, talent management, succession planning,
  workforce design, coaching and mentoring.
• Promote an ethical, inclusive, innovative and supportive culture that generates
  continuous business improvement.
• Report the progress of the operational activities.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with key senior internal and
  external stakeholders.
• Shape the approach to external communications and ensure it aligns with
  organisational communications strategy.
• Promote innovation to address changing social, economic and technological trends
  and developments and take advantage of new opportunities.
• Comply with internal and external governance such as framework, regulatory and
  statutory requirements.

The Tutor will manage a portfolio of evidence using an online electronic system called
OneFile and give regular updates about progress. Apprentices can contact their Tutor
in between visits to discuss any aspect of their qualification and will be able to access
their online portfolio 24/7.

• Achieve Level 2 English and mathematics Functional Skills.
• Receive confirmation from the employer that the apprentice is working at or above
  the level of the occupational standard.
• Submit a showcase portfolio – typically containing 18 discrete pieces of evidence related
  to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion.

The purpose of the end-point assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the skills,
knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard.

End-point assessment provides apprentices with a showcase opportunity to provide
oral and documentary evidence of their knowledge, skills and behaviours developed
throughout the apprenticeship. Enables the independent assessor to assess the skills
and behaviours of the apprentice by observing the apprentice in the course of their
normal work. Tests the knowledge acquired by the apprentice throughout the
apprenticeship.

The End-point Assessment will comprise of two components. Both components must be
individually passed for the Apprentice to be deemed competent:

1) Strategic Business Proposal, Presentation with Questioning: A strategic business
proposal involves the apprentice completing a relevant and defined piece of work that
has a real business benefit. Apprentices will prepare and deliver a presentation that,
along with the strategic business proposal, appropriately covers the KSBs assigned to
this method of assessment. It will be followed by questioning from the independent
assessor. The purpose of the questioning is to seek clarification of the strategic
business proposal or presentation, and to assess the depth and breadth of knowledge,
skills and behaviours.

2) Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence: A professional
discussion is a two-way discussion which involves both the independent assessor and
the apprentice actively listening and participating in a formal conversation. It gives the
apprentice the opportunity to make detailed and proactive contributions to confirm
their competency across the KSBs mapped to this method.

Grading for Strategic Business Proposal, Presentation with Questioning: – Pass/Distinction
Grading for Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence – Pass/Distinction

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – Chartered Manager or Chartered Fellow
• The Institute of Leadership and Management (TILM) – Fellow