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 Practitioner (L2)
2-3 years as a Change PractitionerSkills to master
- Taking ownership of entire change workstreams, leading stakeholder engagement independently, designing comprehensive communication plans, and demonstrating strong resistance management skills.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed the change for at least one medium-sized project end-to-end.
- You're regularly sought out by project managers for your change advice.
- You've started informally mentoring junior colleagues or new joiners.
- You can confidently present change plans and updates to project leadership.
- 2
From Project Manager (with strong people focus)
5-7 years in project managementSkills to master
- Deep dive into change management methodologies (like ADKAR), developing strong empathy and influence skills, and shifting focus from task delivery to people adoption.
You're ready to move on when
- You consistently went 'above and beyond' on the people side of your projects, even if it wasn't your core remit.
- You've proactively managed stakeholder resistance and communication as part of your PM role.
- You've taken a formal change management certification.
- You can articulate the difference between project success (on time, on budget) and change success (people adoption, benefits realisation).
- 3
From Management Consulting (focused on people/change)
3-5 years in a consulting firmSkills to master
- Adapting consulting frameworks to an in-house environment, building long-term relationships, and getting hands-on with implementation rather than just strategy.
You're ready to move on when
- You've led change workstreams for clients on multiple engagements.
- You're comfortable with the practicalities of implementation, not just strategic advice.
- You've demonstrated strong client-facing communication and influence skills.
- You're ready to commit to one organisation and see changes through to sustainment.