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 Mobility Coordinator
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Document management, basic policy application, vendor coordination, data entry accuracy, assignee support (basic queries).
You're ready to move on when
- You can independently manage administrative tasks for multiple assignments.
- You consistently meet deadlines for document submission and data updates.
- You're comfortable answering routine assignee questions and know when to escalate.
- 2
HR Generalist (with international exposure)
3-4 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding of HR policies, basic international payroll, employee relations, exposure to international transfers, stakeholder management.
You're ready to move on when
- You've handled international transfer paperwork and onboarding.
- You've advised employees on basic international HR queries.
- You understand the broader HR context of global mobility.
- 3
International Payroll Specialist
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Shadow payroll, hypotax calculations, social security compliance, international tax reporting, data reconciliation.
You're ready to move on when
- You have a strong grasp of international payroll complexities, especially for assignees.
- You can explain hypotax and social security implications clearly.
- You're meticulous with numbers and compliance.