The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Senior Business Solutions Consultant (L3) or Lead Business Solutions Architect (L4)
3-5 years as a Senior/Lead Consultant within our organisation or a similar internal consulting function.Skills to master
- Deep expertise in 2-3 core domain skills (e.g., BPR, Operating Model Design), a track record of leading complex workstreams, and initial experience mentoring junior team members. You'd also need to show strong stakeholder management skills and a knack for problem deconstruction.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering projects on time and budget, exceeding expectations.
- Positive feedback from senior stakeholders on your influence and problem-solving.
- Successful mentorship of at least two junior consultants, seeing them grow and take on more.
- Demonstrating the ability to independently design and drive solutions for non-routine, complex problems.
- 2
External Management Consultant
5-8 years in a top-tier management consulting firm (e.g., Big Four, boutique strategy firm) at a Senior Manager or Principal level.Skills to master
- Proven experience leading client engagements, managing project teams, developing complex business cases, and presenting to C-suite clients. You'd need to adapt to our internal culture and specific business challenges quickly, showing you can operate without the 'external' badge.
You're ready to move on when
- A portfolio of successful client engagements with measurable impact.
- Strong references from partners/clients on your leadership and delivery.
- A clear articulation of how your external experience translates to internal value creation and navigating corporate politics.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and influence without formal authority.
- 3
Senior Business Analyst / Programme Manager in a large enterprise
8-12 years in a large corporate environment, focused on process improvement or programme delivery, often within a specific function.Skills to master
- Deep operational knowledge of a specific business function (e.g., Supply Chain, Finance), strong project management skills, and experience driving change within that function. You'd need to broaden your perspective to enterprise-level challenges and demonstrate strategic thinking beyond your specific domain.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful delivery of large internal projects with significant operational impact.
- Demonstrable impact on key operational metrics within your previous function.
- Strong relationships with senior leaders within their previous function, indicating influence.
- A clear understanding of how their functional expertise can be applied to broader organisational problems.