The ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership is designed for experienced professionals who are actively involved in senior management or leadership roles. This programme focuses on developing high-level strategic thinking, decision-making, and leadership capabilities required to manage complex organisational challenges. It provides a practical, competence-based approach that allows learners to demonstrate their skills through real workplace performance rather than examinations. As the programme is not Ofqual regulated, it offers flexible learning pathways while maintaining strong industry relevance. Learners gain deeper insight into organisational strategy, leadership ethics, governance, and performance improvement within dynamic business environments.
This course emphasises applied learning, enabling participants to align strategic objectives with operational delivery across diverse sectors. Learners explore key areas such as strategic planning, change management, resource allocation, risk management, and leadership communication. The assessment process is evidence-based, encouraging candidates to reflect on real managerial responsibilities and organisational outcomes. Throughout the programme, learners strengthen their professional credibility and leadership confidence. The diploma also complements a wide range of professional certifications and diplomas in leadership, management, quality assurance, project management, and organisational development, making it highly suitable for professionals seeking practical recognition of their strategic leadership competence.
ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership provides a robust framework for enhancing executive-level capability and organisational impact. The programme supports leaders in refining their strategic vision, improving governance practices, and driving sustainable performance. It is particularly valuable for directors, senior managers, consultants, and business leaders who wish to formalise their experience through an internationally recognised vocational diploma. By integrating practical leadership evidence with strategic management principles, this course helps professionals strengthen their standing within their industry while aligning with relevant management certifications and advanced professional diplomas that support ongoing career development.
Program Highlights
Study Units
To achieve this ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, Candidates must achieve a minimum of 45 credits:
- 16 credits from Mandatory Group A, plus
- A minimum of 29 credits from Optional Group B
A minimum of 35 credits must be achieved at Level 7
Group A Mandatory Units – complete all units
- Develop a strategic business plan
- Execute a strategic business plan
- Provide strategic leadership and direction
Group B Optional Units – a Minimum of 29 Credits
| Develop a business strategy |
| Establish organisational governance controls |
| Shape organisational culture and values |
| Manage strategic human resources |
| Obtain financial resources |
| Lead the development of a quality strategy |
| Lead the development of a continuous improvement strategy |
| Establish business risk management processes |
| Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion |
| Design business processes |
| Develop and manage collaborative relationships with other organisations |
| Optimise the use of technology |
| Manage product and/or service development |
| Manage strategic marketing activities |
| Lead the development of a knowledge management strategy |
Entry Requirements
To ensure learners can successfully meet the demands of this advanced professional programme, applicants are expected to meet the following entry requirements:
- Age Requirement: Learners should typically be at least 21 years of age at the time of enrolment, reflecting the senior-level responsibilities and professional maturity expected for this course.
- Educational Background: Candidates should hold a relevant diploma or certificate in management, leadership, business administration, project management, quality management, or a related professional field. Equivalent professional diplomas or recognised industry certifications are also acceptable.
- Language Proficiency: Learners must have a good command of the English language, both written and verbal, to effectively communicate, compile workplace evidence, and engage with assessments.
- Work Experience: Applicants are expected to have substantial managerial or leadership experience in a professional setting, ideally in a supervisory, middle management, or senior management role where strategic responsibilities are part of their duties.
Overall, these entry requirements are designed to ensure that learners possess the professional experience, foundational knowledge, and communication skills needed to successfully complete the course and gain maximum value from the programme.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, learners will be able to:
Develop a strategic business plan
- Understand the principles underpinning the development of a strategic business plan
- Be able to prepare for business strategy implementation
- Be able to develop plans to deliver the business strategy
Execute a strategic business plan
- Understand the principles underpinning the execution of a strategic business plan
- Be able to implement a strategic business plan
- Be able to evaluate a strategic business plan
Provide strategic leadership and direction
- Understand the characteristics underpinning strategic leadership and direction
- Be able to provide leadership and direction to achieve organisational objectives
- Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the leadership and direction of an organization
Develop a business strategy
- Understand the principles underpinning the development of a business strategy
- Be able to evaluate an organisation’s operating environment
- Be able to develop a strategic vision
- Be able to develop a business strategy
Establish organisational governance controls
- Understand the nature of compliance and non-compliance with governance requirements
- Understand the legal and regulatory framework affecting businesses
- Be able to establish governance controls
Shape organisational culture and values
- Understand organisational culture and values
- Be able to influence organisational culture and values
Manage strategic human resources
- Understand strategic workforce planning
- Be able to optimise retention in an organization
- Be able to manage human resources strategically
Obtain financial resources
- Understand methods of raising finance
- Be able to identify the need for financial resources
- Be able to obtain financial resources
Lead the development of a quality strategy
- Understand the principles underpinning the development of a quality strategy
- Be able to develop a quality strategy
- Be able to manage quality
Lead the development of a continuous improvement strategy
- Understand the principles underpinning the development of a continuous improvement strategy
- Be able to develop a continuous improvement strategy
- Be able to manage continuous improvement
Establish business risk management processes
- Understand business risk management models and techniques
- Be able to develop business risk management processes
- Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of business risk management processes
Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion
- Understand the principles underpinning equality, diversity and inclusion in the workforce
- Be able to evaluate organisational strategies, policies and practices which address equality, diversity and inclusion requirements
- Be able to promote equality, diversity and inclusion policies and practices
Design business processes
- Understand techniques and tools that support the design of business processes
- Be able to develop business processes
- Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of business processes
Develop and manage collaborative relationships with other organisations
- Understand the principles of effective collaboration with other organisations
- Be able to identify external collaborative relationships to be developed
- Be able to collaborate with other organisations
Optimise the use of technology
- Understand the principles underpinning the optimisation of technology
- Be able to scope the use of technology
- Be able to optimise the use of technological solutions
- Be able to manage the use of technology
Manage product and/or service development
- Understand the development of new or improved products and/or services
- Be able to establish the need for new or improved products and/or services
- Be able to manage the development of new or improved products and/or services
Manage strategic marketing activities
- Understand the strategic management of marketing activities
- Be able to evaluate a market
- Be able to develop a marketing communications strategy and plan
- Be able to manage strategic marketing activities
Lead the development of a knowledge management strategy
- Understand the principles underpinning knowledge management
- Be able to develop a knowledge management strategy
- Be able to manage knowledge
- Be able to promote knowledge management
Target Audience
This course is designed for professionals who are already working at a strategic or senior level and want to formally recognise, strengthen, and evidence their leadership and management competence through a practical, work-based qualification.
- Senior managers and executives responsible for organisational strategy, governance, and high-level decision-making
- Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to enhance strategic leadership, sustainability, and organisational growth
- Department heads and functional managers involved in implementing strategy, managing teams, and improving performance
- Operations and project leaders overseeing complex activities, resources, and strategic objectives
- Management consultants and professional advisors supporting organisations with leadership, change, and strategic planning
- Experienced professionals looking to gain formal recognition for their existing strategic management and leadership experience
Overall, this programme is ideal for professionals aiming to validate real-world leadership capability and strategic impact through the ProQual Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.
