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
Lead Social Value Practitioner (L4)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Designing complex evidence capture processes, writing method statements for major bids, leading internal training programmes, and managing significant workstreams independently.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering on large, complex social value projects with minimal oversight.
- Proactively identifying and solving systemic issues in data collection or reporting.
- Demonstrating strong mentorship of junior team members and contributing to their development.
- Successfully influencing cross-functional teams to adopt social value best practices.
- 2
Senior ESG Manager (from another sector)
4-6 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deep dive into the specifics of UK public procurement social value legislation (PPN 06/20, Social Value Act), mastering the National TOMs framework, and understanding our company's specific operational context.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong track record in broader ESG strategy and reporting, with a clear understanding of the 'S' component.
- Proven leadership experience in a compliance-driven environment.
- Ability to quickly adapt to new regulatory frameworks and industry-specific nuances.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, transferable to our internal and external stakeholders.
- 3
Social Impact Consultant (from a specialist consultancy)
5-7 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Transitioning from client-facing advisory to in-house operational leadership, managing a permanent team, and navigating internal corporate structures and politics. Understanding our specific business model and commercial drivers.
You're ready to move on when
- Extensive experience in designing and implementing social value strategies for multiple clients.
- Strong methodological expertise in SROI and other impact measurement frameworks.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality reports.
- A desire to move from a project-based role to building and owning a long-term function.