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
Change Management Analyst (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering communication drafting, conducting thorough stakeholder interviews, building initial impact assessments, and analysing basic survey data. Basically, owning the core deliverables.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering high-quality communication materials without much oversight.
- Proactively identifying potential resistance points and suggesting solutions.
- Successfully managing stakeholder expectations on smaller project tasks.
- Being the 'go-to' person for specific tools or processes within the team.
- 2
Project Coordinator / Junior Project Manager (from other departments)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Developing a strong understanding of change management methodologies, honing stakeholder engagement skills, and learning how to translate project deliverables into 'people impacts'.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrating a clear interest in the 'people' side of projects, beyond just timelines and budgets.
- Successfully managing project communications and stakeholder relationships in previous roles.
- Taking initiative to learn about change management best practices and frameworks.
- Strong organisational and communication skills, with a knack for influencing.
- 3
HR Business Partner / Internal Communications Specialist
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Gaining experience in project-based work, understanding business processes, and learning specific change management frameworks like ADKAR. It's about moving from general people support to structured change delivery.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to manage sensitive employee communications and engagement initiatives.
- Experience supporting organisational restructures or new policy implementations.
- Strong understanding of employee sentiment and how to address concerns.
- A desire to move into a more structured, project-oriented role with a focus on adoption.