CMI Level 7 Award pathway for strategic leadership
Unit 701 in 100% live online Saturday classes
6 tutor-led sessions, 36 learning hours for 11 credits
Strategic leadership & organizational capability enhancement
STEEPLE, SWOT, governance & organizational culture analysis
Written unit 701 assignment preparation & evidence mapping
What you will master with us
Upcoming sessions
Purpose, vision, mission, and governance
Organisational context and the external environment (STEEPLE, SWOT horizon scanning)
Organisational culture and its impact on strategic leadership (Cultural Web)
Strategic complexity and the impact of context on leadership choices
governance failure and its strategic consequences.
Role and responsibilities of the strategic leader
Setting, communicating, and realising organisational goals
Stakeholder expectations and power interest mapping
Ethical leadership and governance responsibilities
a new CEO resets culture after a merger.
Leadership theories and behaviours: ethical, authentic, and transformational
Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership
Skills for strategic delivery: influence, communication, and decision-making
Systems thinking and decision-making models
ethical dilemma resolution at board level.
Applying strategic leadership principles to complex organisational challenges
Critical reflection on leadership practice
Planned, emergent, and incremental approaches in leadership decisions
Unit 701 assignment brief (30 minutes, within GLH): criteria, command verbs, and evidence
annotate a model Level 7 assignment extract.
Strategic Leadership Challenge: Leading Through Organisational Context and Complexity
Participants take on the role of a newly appointed Strategic Director within a complex, multi-site organisation operating across two of the programme's target sectors, such as financial services and the public sector, or healthcare and energy. The organisation has two legacy cultures to integrate, a governance review under way, and a leadership team whose behaviours are not yet aligned to a shared strategic purpose. Participants must assess the organisational context, define the strategic leader's role in setting and realising goals, and identify the leadership behaviours and skills needed to respond.
Working in cross-industry groups, participants apply strategic leadership frameworks such as the Cultural Web, the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, and STEEPLE and SWOT horizon scanning. Each group presents its recommendations in a simulated board briefing, using evidence-based argument to justify its decisions. The simulation produces a reusable analysis document that participants can draw on as evidence for their Unit 701 written assignment, bridging instructional learning and formal assessment.
AI-Assisted Research and Assignment Evidence Builder
Participants work in a structured environment that replicates the research and analytical workflow of a senior leader preparing a postgraduate-level submission. Using AI powered tools, including large language model assistants and AI literature search platforms, they practise environmental scanning, stakeholder mapping, and evidence synthesis, building digital leadership literacy while reinforcing the critical thinking standard required at CMI Level 7.
Participants use generative AI to scaffold research, generate initial outlines, and stress-test arguments before writing in their own voice. They learn to apply CMI academic integrity guidelines to AI-assisted work, distinguishing between AI as a research support tool and AI as a substitute for original analytical thinking. Every output is reviewed against the Unit 701 assessment criteria for accuracy, authenticity, and critical depth, and participants leave with a governance compliant workflow for using AI tools responsibly.
Upon successful completion of the training, you will be able to:
1
Examine the relationship between organizational conditions, leadership approaches and their influence on overall organizational performance
2
Analyse how strategic leaders establish organizational direction, communicate expectations and drive the achievement of business objectives
3
Demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities, leadership conduct and ethical principles essential for managing strategic responsibilities
4
Interpret complex organizational situations through established leadership models, critical evaluation and evidence-based reasoning
5
Formulate practical approaches to strategic challenges by considering organizational circumstances, stakeholder interests and long-term objectives
6
Construct a well-organized Unit 701 assessment that demonstrates critical understanding and meets the specified CMI evaluation standards
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The CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice is a professional qualification designed for experienced managers and senior professionals in Saudi Arabia. Based on Unit 701 Strategic Leadership, the program develops advanced capabilities in organizational analysis, strategic decision-making, governance, and leadership effectiveness. It includes 36 Guided Learning Hours and carries 11 credits, with learners applying leadership frameworks to real organizational challenges.
This course is suitable for experienced professionals in senior management, leadership or specialist roles who are responsible for shaping organizational strategy and driving business performance. It is also beneficial for directors, department heads, senior managers and functional leaders looking to strengthen their strategic decision-making, governance and leadership capabilities. It is particularly relevant to professionals preparing for greater organizational responsibility.
Yes, you can pursue the CMI Level 5 Award even if you have not previously held a formal management position, provided you are aspiring to a management role and can demonstrate the ability to undertake the qualification. The program is primarily designed for practising and aspiring middle managers.
The CMI Level 7 Award training in Saudi Arabia is delivered across six tutor-led sessions, comprising 36 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). You should also allow time for independent study and assignment preparation, as the qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 110 hours. A 30-minute orientation is conducted before the training begins. The overall schedule depends on your chosen batch.
Through this qualification, you will learn how to:
Yes, the training incorporates AI tools to aid environmental scanning, stakeholder mapping, and research synthesis. You will practise reviewing AI-generated information against reliable academic and professional sources. The course also shows you how to use AI responsibly when preparing your Unit 701 assignment, in line with CMI’s academic integrity requirements.
Yes. You will learn to use SWOT, STEEPLE and horizon scanning to examine your organization’s external environment and identify factors that could influence strategic decisions. The training includes practical exercises where you analyse industry developments, assess potential risks and consider their implications for leadership. You will also use these insights to support strategic recommendations with relevant evidence.
The CMI Level 7 Award is assessed through a written assignment based on Unit 701: Strategic Leadership. During training, you will review the assignment brief, understand the assessment criteria, and practise developing responses using evidence from your organization. You will also learn to structure critical arguments and support your recommendations with relevant examples to meet CMI assessment requirements.
Yes. If you have completed the CMI Level 7 Award in Saudi Arabia, you can progress towards the CMI Level 7 Certificate by completing Unit 704: Developing organizational Strategy. The Award already covers Unit 701: Strategic Leadership, which forms the first part of the Certificate. You can therefore build on your existing learning rather than repeat the same unit, subject to CMI registration and recognition requirements.
Learners Point offers several advantages for professionals in Saudi Arabia: