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
Global Business Services Transformation Director (L6)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Driving business unit-level transformation, managing P&L £2M-£10M+, presenting to the board, and leading large teams (25-100+). You'll need to demonstrate consistent delivery of multi-million pound savings and strategic impact.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered 2-3 strategic, multi-year transformation programmes on time and within budget.
- Consistently achieved £5M-£10M+ in annualised run-rate savings for your business unit.
- Built and mentored a strong leadership team with clear succession plans.
- Recognised as a trusted advisor by C-suite executives and board members for your operational expertise.
- 2
VP / Senior Director, Operations or Shared Services for a Major Enterprise
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Managing very large-scale operational functions (1000+ FTEs), optimising complex global service delivery models, and driving efficiency through continuous improvement. You'll need to show you can handle the scale and complexity of an entire enterprise's operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major operational function (e.g., Global Finance Operations) with a budget of £10M+.
- Demonstrated significant improvements in operational KPIs (e.g., cycle time, cost per transaction, quality) across a large, global footprint.
- Proven ability to integrate and harmonise operations following M&A activity.
- Strong track record of talent development and retention within a large operational organisation.
- 3
Partner / Principal in a Top-Tier Management Consulting Firm (Operations/GBS Practice)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- Developing and selling large-scale GBS and operational transformation strategies to Fortune 500 clients, managing complex client relationships at the C-suite level, and building a significant book of business. You'll need to prove you can drive strategic change across diverse industries.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeded revenue targets (e.g., £5M+ annual sales) for transformation consulting services.
- Led multiple successful enterprise-level GBS transformation engagements for major clients.
- Developed and published thought leadership that positions you as an expert in the GBS/operations space.
- Built a strong network of C-suite relationships across various industries.