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
Project Coordinator / Project Support Officer
2-3 years in a project role before moving into change.Skills to master
- Organisation, stakeholder communication, understanding project lifecycles, managing deadlines, basic reporting. You'd have seen how projects run and the challenges they face.
You're ready to move on when
- You've taken on tasks beyond just scheduling, like drafting comms or coordinating training.
- You're known for being the 'glue' that holds project elements together.
- You've shown a keen interest in the 'people side' of project success, not just the technical delivery.
- 2
Business Analyst / Junior Business Analyst
2-4 years in a BA role.Skills to master
- Requirements gathering, process mapping, understanding business needs, translating technical details, data analysis. You'd understand how systems and processes change.
You're ready to move on when
- You've helped define 'to-be' processes and considered the user impact.
- You're good at explaining complex changes to non-technical audiences.
- You've actively sought out opportunities to work on the implementation or adoption phase of projects.
- 3
Internal Communications Specialist / HR Coordinator
2-4 years in a comms or HR role.Skills to master
- Crafting clear messages, understanding employee sentiment, event organisation, basic HR processes, stakeholder engagement. You'd be good at talking to people and understanding their concerns.
You're ready to move on when
- You've managed communications for significant internal events or changes.
- You're skilled at tailoring messages for different internal audiences.
- You've demonstrated an ability to handle sensitive employee feedback with empathy.


