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
Principal Change Strategist / Head of Departmental Change
Typically 3-5 years at this level before moving to Director.Skills to master
- Mastering the strategic design and execution of change for a large business unit, leading multiple complex projects concurrently, and managing a team of senior practitioners. You'll need to prove you can influence at the VP level.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering successful change outcomes for major initiatives, with measurable impact.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high-performing team, including developing future leaders.
- Proactive identification and mitigation of enterprise-level people risks.
- Positive feedback from VPs and Directors on your strategic insights and influence.
- 2
Senior HR Business Partner (with Transformation Focus)
Roughly 4-6 years in a senior HRBP role with significant transformation exposure.Skills to master
- Deepening your understanding of organisational design, talent management, and employee relations within a transformation context. You'll need to build out your change management methodology expertise and strategic programme leadership skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led the people-side of several large-scale HR or business transformations.
- Strong understanding of organisational dynamics, culture, and talent implications of change.
- Proven ability to partner with and influence senior business leaders on strategic people issues.
- Demonstrated capability in developing and implementing change strategies beyond pure HR scope.
- 3
Senior Project/Programme Director (with Strong People Focus)
Around 5-7 years leading complex programmes, with a clear emphasis on people-side outcomes.Skills to master
- Shifting your focus from purely technical project delivery to the human element. This means developing strong competencies in change management methodologies, stakeholder engagement at scale, and organisational psychology. You'll need to prove you can lead the 'people' work, not just the 'project' work.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivered programmes that achieved high user adoption and benefit realisation.
- Recognised for your ability to manage complex stakeholder landscapes and drive behavioural change.
- Strong leadership skills, with a track record of building and motivating cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated passion and expertise in the 'people side' of change, beyond traditional project management.