The article is devoted to the problem of the circular economy, which as a result of strategic management ensures social sustainable development due to the observance of the principles of the circular economy. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the principles of the circular economy as determinants of strategic management to ensure social development. The relevance of the application of determinism, as one of the main explanatory principles of scientific knowledge of the complex process represented by the circular economy, has been proven as a methodological basis of the research. Highlighting the principles of the circular economy made it possible to propose directions for the direction of strategic management efforts in accordance with the determinism of the circular economy. The outlined directions of strategic management are of practical importance, as proven by the experience of various countries of the world that are developing in the direction of observing the principles of the circular economy.