Why A CMI Level 7 Qualification | In Professional Development

Written by In Professional Development | 18 November 2020

If you’re researching CMI Level 7 courses, it’s likely you already have a wealth of managerial experience and expertise.

Courses at this level are designed to hone in on core aspects of leadership and management and to refine them to a very high standard. After Level 7 there’s just one more step: the Level 8 qualifications which only the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) can award.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what a CMI Level 7 qualification represents, whether it’s the right choice for you, and how to move forward if so. After reading, you’ll have a firm knowledge of what a Level 7 qualification entails, as well as insight into some of the course titles and content available at this level. By acquainting yourself with the learning outcomes of Level 7 courses, you’ll strengthen your understanding of the potential benefits on offer.

Firstly, let’s quickly introduce CMI. As we’ve said, if you’re reading this, you’re likely already familiar. But just in case –

CMI stands for Chartered Management Institute, and they are the UK’s Chartered Body for Management and Leadership. The CMI mission is to transform ‘accidental managers’ into ‘conscious leaders’ by developing, refining, and teaching core management competencies.

The CMI has an illustrious history. The awarding body was initially formed in the aftermath of World War 2 and tasked with rebuilding the British workforce. In the meantime they have positioned themselves as bearers of leadership and management, taking an active role in formalising core concepts, and developing teaching materials and courses to train successive generations of managers.

A CMI qualification is a prestigious and immediately recognisable addition to any CV or professional portfolio.

What are CMI levels?

CMI offers courses from Level 2 through to Level 8, each representing a higher level of knowledge attainment. They’ve designed their hierarchy to help aspiring managers develop their skills and to progress in their careers accordingly.

Below you’ll find a top-level summary of what each level entails. More detailed information about the content of each course is available in the dedicated course materials.

Levels 2 and 3: These courses focus on base-level skills, including project management and team-leading. They’re intended for “aspiring, supervisory, or first-line managers” starting their management journey.
Levels 4 and 5: These courses focus on developing core skills and gradually introducing more advanced concepts. They’re intended for mid-managers looking to build the necessary skills to step up to the next level (Read about our CMI Level 5 qualifications here)
Levels 6 and 7: These courses focus on organisational strategy, and are intended for senior managers in roles with direct responsibility for generating effective performance.
Level 8: These courses focus on the most advanced management concepts and practices, and are intended for C-level senior managers.

Bodies other than the CMI can award qualifications at Levels 2 through 7, but only the CMI can issue Level 8 awards.

Is a CMI Level 7 qualification right for me?

Here are some indicators that a CMI Level 7 qualification might be the right next step in your managerial career path –

You’ve achieved a CMI Level 6 qualification already, and you’re looking to continue your learning within their course framework.
You’ve attained the relevant skills at a level high enough to align with a Level 7 qualification, and you want to formalise this achievement.
You’re in a senior managerial position, and you’d like to tighten your credentials to progress to a higher role.

You might fit into one of these job title brackets –

Directors and owners.
Experienced and time-served senior leaders.
Newly appointed leaders or aspiring leaders.
Consultants looking to formalise their knowledge of coaching.

At this end of the CMI qualification spectrum, you’ll already be very familiar with core managerial concepts, and you’ll have direct and extensive experience of managing employees in the pursuit of specific organisational objectives.

You’ll likely have held several successively senior managerial positions over the past few years, and you’ll have a passion for this trajectory. Taking a Level 7 course is a big commitment, but the potential benefits are many.

What can a CMI Level 7 qualification help me to achieve?

Level 7 qualifications offer a suite of benefits. These courses are designed for those in positions that carry authority and responsibility to develop and implement organisational strategy, where results matter and where your success directly impacts those below you.

In this section, we’ll look at six CMI Level 7 courses we offer and drill down into the learning outcomes and benefits. This should give you a good idea of what to expect from a course at this level, with specific reference to your role.

CMI Level 7 Senior Leadership Programme

This course aims to build a better understanding of corporate dynamics in senior management contexts and to help managers evaluate and improve their leadership approach.

The intended learning objectives are –

To build a strong understanding of the senior leader role.
To develop a sense of how to build effective teams, and how to inspire and influence team members.
To equip leaders with strategic management skills for enhancing performance.
To train leaders to utilise effective management techniques and tools confidently.

By building strategic understanding and strengthening insight into their management behaviours and philosophy, delegates on this course will develop the skills required to improve the effectiveness and conceptual underpinning of their personal management style.