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
From Change Analyst / Project Coordinator
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Moving from executing tasks to owning a specific workstream, understanding the 'why' behind the change plan, and developing independent problem-solving skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers high-quality change deliverables (comms, training materials).
- Proactively identifies and flags potential issues without being prompted.
- Demonstrates strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Receives positive feedback on collaboration and interpersonal skills from project teams.
- 2
From HR Generalist / Specialist
3-4 yearsSkills to master
- Translating HR-specific change experience (e.g., new policy rollouts) into broader business transformation contexts, developing a more structured approach to change planning, and understanding project management methodologies.
You're ready to move on when
- Has successfully supported at least one significant HR system or policy change.
- Shows a keen interest in broader business operations and how change impacts them.
- Demonstrates strong empathy and ability to manage employee concerns during change.
- Has taken initiative to learn basic project management or change management frameworks.
- 3
From Internal Communications Specialist
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Moving beyond just drafting messages to understanding the full change lifecycle, conducting impact assessments, and actively managing resistance (not just communicating around it).
You're ready to move on when
- Has experience crafting communications for complex or sensitive topics.
- Demonstrates an understanding of different stakeholder needs and communication channels.
- Shows a desire to get involved earlier in projects, beyond just the communications phase.
- Has a track record of effective, timely, and engaging internal communications campaigns.