This module examines the importance of managing stakeholder relationships and exercising influence across
operational contexts. Learners will explore strategies for effective communication, negotiation, and collaboration to build trust and support decision-making. Emphasis is placed on navigating internal and external stakeholder dynamics, managing expectations, and applying influencing techniques to drive positive organisational outcomes.

This module is designed to contribute to the development of all Behaviours listed within the apprenticeship
standard, and the following Knowledge and Skills for Operations Managers:

Duty 5 Collaborate with and manage stakeholder relationships
* K10: Methods used to identify, manage and prioritise stakeholder relationships
* K13: Influencing and negotiation models and techniques
* K14: Conflict resolution and mediation processes
* K15: Communication techniques and approaches

Duty 1 Provide leadership and people management
* S1: Communicate and present information to stakeholders using different types of media.
* S11: Interpret and implement the practical application of regulation, legislation and organisational policies for stakeholders
* S16: Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to shape and agree goals and outcomes
* S17: Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders

Learning within this module maps to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
* 4: Quality Education
* 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
* 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
* 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Learning within this module maps to the following Fundamental British Values:
* Mutual respect
* Tolerance

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Safeguarding:
* Safeguarding and supporting individuals
* Raising awareness and preventing harm

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
* Fair and ethical leadership
* Encouraging diverse perspectives
* Embedding EDI in organisational policies
* Flexibility for different needs

For this module, you are required to create and deliver a 15-minute presentation to your peers, subjecting your organisation’s stakeholder engagement strategy, formal or informal in nature, to critical analysis. This should meet learning outcomes 1, 3, and 4. This will include evaluating the current approach to internal and external stakeholder identification and analysis, followed by example(s) of good practice you have engaged in around building inter- and intra-organisational relationships. Finally, you should set out recommendations for future enhancement of the aforementioned strategy. The presentation will be followed by a short series of questions from your lecturer and peers lasting approximately 10 minutes.

You are also required to obtain a witness testimony from a manager or appropriate colleague observing you chairing a meeting in your workplace supported by any pertinent work product evidence, for example meeting minutes, aligned to the Skills criteria of the module. This should meet learning outcome 2.

Work product evidence can include but is not limited to:
* Meeting Minutes or Agendas – Documents showing attendance and contributions to meetings with stakeholders (e.g. clients, internal teams, suppliers).
* Emails or Correspondence – Professional communication with stakeholders demonstrating collaboration, negotiation, or feedback.
* Project Plans or Proposals – Documents showing how stakeholder input was gathered and used to shape plans or solutions.
* Feedback Forms or Surveys – Results from stakeholder feedback and evidence of how it was actioned.
* Action Logs or Decision Records – Records that highlight decisions made based on stakeholder input.
* Presentation Slides – Slide decks prepared for or presented to stakeholders, showing how you have communicated ideas or updates.
* Reports or Summaries – Progress or status reports shared with stakeholders.
* Stakeholder Maps or Analysis Documents – Tools used to identify and assess stakeholder influence or interests.
* Collaboration Tools Screenshots – Evidence from tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Trello, or Asana showing active stakeholder collaboration.
* Testimonials or Endorsements – Statements from stakeholders praising your engagement or communication.
* Training or Workshop Records – Evidence that you attended or facilitated stakeholder-focused training, briefings, or workshops.
* Action Plans – Documents showing how you have implemented stakeholder requirements or suggestions. * Change Logs – Evidence that project changes were made in response to stakeholder engagement.
* Risk Assessments or Mitigation Plans – Showing how stakeholder concerns were factored into risk management.

This module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face on campus sessions and online webinars, designed to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience:

* Face-to-face teaching: Sessions will incorporate group work, formal teaching, case study analysis, and
guest speakers. Apprentices will also be encouraged to share their workplace experiences to enhance
peer learning.

* Online webinars: These will take the form of recorded content, interactive e-learning, or live tutorials,
offering opportunities for group discussion, presentations, flipped-classroom activities, further group
work, and case study analysis.

Additional learning activities include:

* Engaging with supplementary online content, including videos and presentations
* Independent reading to reinforce and expand on formal teaching
* Completing formative tasks set by the tutor to consolidate learning
* Preparing for assessments, writing, and gathering evidence
* Developing and maintaining a portfolio

In line with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, this module includes 112 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as
standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 200 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning.
Please refer to your Aptem account to identify your individualised off-the-job hours.

1. Identify, analyse, and manage diverse stakeholder interests to support collaboration and achieve organisational objectives.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K10 and S17
University Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding Problem Solving

2. Communicate complex information clearly and persuasively to a range of internal and external stakeholders, to enhance cohesion, drive organisational performance, and influence effectively.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K15 and S1
University Learning Outcome: Communication

3. Critically evaluate and implement methods for building strong internal relationships to support collaboration and enable cross-team working.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K14 and S11
University Learning Outcome: Enquiry, Analysis

4. Develop strategies and solutions that promote effective inter- and intra-organisational collaboration, ensuring alignment with team and organisational goals.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K13 and S16
University Learning Outcome: Application, Reflection

* Computer facilities to access online materials
* Access to specialist online databases, appropriate core texts and journals via the library, module leader and own research.

Books:

* Amatulli, G. et al. (2025) The Routledge Handbook on Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement. 1st edn.
Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003388227.

* Corazza, L. et al. (2024) ‘Interpreting stakeholder ecosystems through relational stakeholder theory: The
case of a highly contested megaproject’, Business strategy and the environment, 33(3), pp. 2384–2412.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3601.

* Nicolescu, O. and Nicolescu, C. (2022) Stakeholder management and social responsibility¿: concepts,
approaches and tools in the Covid context. First edition. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Audio:

* Assemble You Limited (2023) ‘Introduction to stakeholder management’. Place of publication not
identified: Assemble You.

Video:

* Das, S. (2023) Stakeholder management¿: winning stakeholder support and achieving your goals. [First
edition]. Place of publication not identified: O’Reilly Media, Inc.

The module is typically open to those enrolled on the Operations Manager Higher Apprenticeship programme.

The module is also open to those who wish to undertake this as a standalone module; those candidates should be currently in working towards an operations manager position.

This module intends to expose you to relationship building with internal and external stakeholders. This may
include your immediate team, other departments and functions, suppliers, customers, regulators, legislators,
policymakers, and the wider community. The module will support you to identify and analyse stakeholders, in
addition to developing and maintaining relationships with them.