Corporate level strategy is a multi-tiered company plan that leaders use to define, outline, and achieve specific business goals. It is the top of the planning pyramid and is the main purpose of a business. Corporate level strategies are established to set direction, focus effort, define or clarify the organization, and provide consistency or guidance in response to the environment. Corporate level strategies are naturally more complex than other levels of strategy and may be made up of a long list of sub-strategies.

Corporate level strategies are formulated to guide the organizations actions and provide a roadmap for the future. They are the big picture plans organizations employ to reach their overarching objectives. Corporate level strategies usually span beyond one business unit or product line and focus instead on overall company goals such as growth, stability, and profitability. Examples of corporate level strategies include global expansion, diversification, mergers & acquisitions, outsourcing, and cost-cutting measures.

Corporate level strategy formulation may involve a range of decision-makers, from senior executives to board members depending on the organizations size. The corporate-level strategy framework comprises four distinct elements: vision and mission, objectives and goals, core competencies, and strategic positioning. A strong corporate level strategy provides a foundation on which the rest of the business can rely. It gives valuable insight into the myriad factors that affect the way a business operates, such as financials, employees, and customers.