Senior people professional
Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Business and administration 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Senior People Professional leads the strategic HR, people, and organisational development agenda within an organisation, influencing culture, talent, and workforce planning at the highest level. This level 7 master's-level apprenticeship supports progression to CIPD chartered fellow status and prepares professionals for CHRO, HR director, or VP people roles. Apprentices work on complex, organisation-wide people challenges with real commercial impact.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Strategic people management - workforce planning, talent, and succession
Organisational development, culture change, and employee experience design
Advanced employment law and complex people risk management
Reward strategy, pay equity, and executive compensation
HR data analytics and people metrics for evidence-based decision-making
Leading and developing the HR function as a strategic business partner
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Lead the design and delivery of the organisation's people strategy
Advise the board and executive team on complex people and culture matters
Drive organisational design and change management programmes
Manage senior employee relations cases and complex employment law issues
Develop workforce analytics and people reporting for the executive team
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organisation
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 7 (Degree (Master’s)) - roughly Master’s-degree level. Usually needs a relevant degree or Level 6 qualification, or significant experience.
What’s next: Leads into senior and chartered professional roles.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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