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 Top-Tier Management Consulting
12-15 years post-MBASkills to master
- Client relationship management, complex problem-solving, executive communication, project leadership across diverse industries. You'll need to adapt to a single-company focus.
You're ready to move on when
- Achieved Principal or Associate Partner level at a major consulting firm.
- Led multiple strategic engagements for Fortune 500 clients.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing project teams.
- Strong desire to drive long-term impact within one organisation rather than project-based work.
- 2
From Senior Corporate Strategy Roles (within other large organisations)
10-15 years in corporate strategy functionsSkills to master
- Deep understanding of a specific industry, navigating internal politics, driving execution in a matrixed environment, managing a larger team.
You're ready to move on when
- Held a Senior Manager or Lead Strategist role in a comparable company.
- Successfully led 2-3 major strategic initiatives from concept to implementation.
- Managed a team of 3+ direct reports.
- Proven ability to influence C-suite level stakeholders.
- 3
Internal Progression (e.g., from Senior Strategic Planning Manager)
3-5 years as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager (L5)Skills to master
- Expanding scope beyond a specific domain, greater P&L accountability, board-level communication, M&A strategy, and leading managers.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeded expectations as a Senior Strategic Planning Manager.
- Successfully led multiple critical strategic programmes for the company.
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship of junior managers/analysts.
- Proactively taken on cross-functional leadership roles and influenced executive decisions.